What is the right diet for pregnancy? Is your diet scientific?

What is the appropriate diet during pregnancy?

Nutrition is the most important environmental factor, which will have a crucial impact on the short-term and long-term health of mothers and their offspring. So, when pregnant, the food eaten every day not only meets the needs of one's own metabolism, but also provides energy for the growth and development of the baby. Does the pregnant mother have to eat as much as she wants to feed two people? Will the baby get better nutrition if she eats more meat and fish?

The result of eating too much meat and fish is often overnutrition. In addition to causing pregnant mothers to gain weight too quickly and become obese, thus causing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, metabolic disorders, etc., overnutrition during pregnancy also has an impact on the fetus, increasing the risk of macrosomia, birth injuries, diabetes and obesity in adulthood.

Some pregnant mothers may think: I don’t eat big fish and meat, I only eat vegetables and fruits, I won’t gain weight, right? Not eating or not eating enough or partial eating will lead to malnutrition. In addition to causing anemia, hypoglycemia, hypoproteinemia, etc. in pregnant mothers, it will also affect the fetus, directly affecting the growth and intellectual development of the fetus, leading to incomplete development of fetal organs, fetal growth restriction, low birth weight, and easily causing miscarriage, premature birth, fetal malformation and intrauterine fetal death.

Nutritional principles during pregnancy

Low fat, high protein, low sugar and balanced diet

Eat light and refreshing meals; eat dairy products, soy or their products every day; eat appropriate amounts of fish, poultry, eggs and lean meat regularly; eat more vegetables and fruits; eat a variety of foods, mainly cereals, and eat more potatoes.

Dietary characteristics of each stage of pregnancy

1. Characteristics of balanced diet in early pregnancy:

Eat light food with less oil, eat small meals frequently, and consume more fruits and vegetables rich in carbohydrates and folic acid.

The most important nutrient during early pregnancy: folic acid

2. Characteristics of balanced diet in mid-pregnancy:

Appropriately increase the intake of fish, poultry, eggs, lean meat and milk, supplement calcium and iron, do moderate physical activity, maintain appropriate weight gain. Avoid smoking and drinking, and eat less irritating food.

Important nutrients during the second trimester: calcium, iron, and dietary fiber

3. Characteristics of balanced diet in late pregnancy:

The amount of iron-rich livestock and poultry increases compared to the second trimester, while the amount of cereals and potatoes decreases slightly compared to the second trimester.

Important nutrients in late pregnancy: unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, iron, vitamin B12

Adequate intake of protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins and nutrients, and a nutritionally balanced diet consisting of a variety of foods are very important for improving maternal and child outcomes.

Source: Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Institute of Population and Family Planning Science and Technology

Audit expert: Xu Xiaoou

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