Nutrition Needs During Pregnancy

The best time to focus on nutrition and health is before pregnancy to insure optimal nutrition status for the health of the mother and the budding baby. The birth of a health baby requires the mother to eat nutritionally balanced meals prior to and during the pregnancy. As the baby develops in the wound, extra nutrients are demanded from the mother. Protein, fat, carbohydrate, vitamins, minerals, and caloric needs change during pregnancy. Insuring that your diet reflects these changing nutritional needs is the first step to a health baby.

While it is critical that every expectant mother follows a nutritionally sound eating plan, it is particularly important for those considered "at risk" including:
     - those experiencing inadequate or excessive weight gain,
     - those with a history of alcohol intake during the pregnancy,
     - women with a history or inadequate or inconsistent intake,
     - people with diabetes, hypertension, or anemia,
     - and those having children during adolescents or older life.

A healthy eating plan throughout the pregnancy ensures the mother she is providing the essential nutrients her baby needs for proper development and avoiding foods that are toxic and harmful to the baby. Eating the correct combination of protein, carbohydrate, and fat also insures the mother gains adequate weight, avoiding excessive weight gain which can be detrimental to the mother and the baby. Below is a listing of various nutrients and examples of why they are important - deficiencies of any of these nutrients will influence the development of your budding baby.

Nutrient:	Needed for:
A	healthy skin, eyesight, growing bones, infection resistance, and fat metabolism
B12	formation of red blood cells, maintaining nervous system health
B5	regulates adrenal activity, antibody production, metabolism of protein and fat
B6	formation of red blood cells, development of the brain and nervous system
C	development of healthy gums, teeth, and bones; iron absorption
Calcium	strong bones and teeth, muscle contraction, nerve function, heart rhythm
Carbohydrates	daily energy production
Chromium	regulates blood sugar levels, stimulates protein synthesis
Copper	helps form heart, skeletal, and nervous systems
D	healthy bones and teeth; aids absorption of calcium
Fluoride	needed for teeth formation including permanent teeth
Folic acid	blood and protein production, DNA synthesis, normalizing brain function
Iodine	regulates metabolism, helps develop nervous system
Iron	red blood cell production, and builds bones and teeth
Magnesium	regulates insulin and blood-sugar levels, builds and repairs tissue
Manganese	aids bone and pancreas development and synthesis of fats and carbohydrates
Phosphorus	builds strong bones and teeth, develops blood clotting, normal heart rhythm
Potassium	aids muscle activity and contractions, energy metabolism, and nerve function
Protein	cell growth and blood production
Riboflavin	promotes growth, vision, healthy skin, nerve development
Thiamine	brain development, heart and nervous system growth
Zinc	helps form organs, skeleton, nerves, and circulatory system

If you have just gotten pregnant, call or email Nutrition Specialists of Charlotte's Budding Baby today for your initial consultation. Within 1 week of your first appointment you will have the confidence you are doing all you can nutritionally to promote a health development of your budding baby. If you worry you are not providing your baby with all the nutrients he/she needs or that your diet is not as nutritionally sound as it could be, make the change today! It is not too late to eat a healthful diet, aiding in a healthful pregnancy and delivery.

For more information on how to be sure you are eating a nutritionally sound diet email us at info@buddingbaby.com or call 704.999.0880 to schedule your appointment!