Nutrition - Pregnancy Journey
Pregnancy is exciting news to the family! a beautiful journey in which a mother nurtures a new life from within. As she moves forward with carrying & nourishing a tiny life. Her body plays a major role in accommodating physical & emotional changes. She requires extra energy for herself and for the growth & development of the baby. Pregnancy is an emotional experience filled with joy and same time, getting acquainted with the new bodily changes. Mother’s body accommodates hormonal fluctuations, mood swings, nausea, vomiting, and numerous bathroom breaks. Her body changes internally as well as externally to accommodate the tiny life.
What are the nutritional prerequisites for a happy pregnancy?
New mothers have a lot of questions about diet and lifestyle. So here is a guide on nutrition.
Habits - Smoking and drinking—A big NO!!
Women who drink and smoke are advised to quit the habit, as it causes detrimental effects on the growing fetus, causing a deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals in the body.
Caffeine addiction
Excess caffeine intake, no more than 200 mg per day, is advised. Avoiding caffeine will be a wise choice.
Challenges faced in eating right during pregnancy!
Nausea & vomiting!
Yes, your sense of smell is heightened.
A pregnant woman has to deal with food cravings and aversions. Aversion to certain foods occurs due to a heightened sense of smell during pregnancy.
A balanced diet is a challenge to follow during pregnancy due to hormonal changes and the mother feeling frequent nausea and vomiting. Some women have extreme nausea called hyperemesis gravidarum , which might require hospitalization for IV fluids to keep them hydrated. They are unable to eat food due to increased aversion to certain smells during this period. Due to the apprehension of vomiting, they avoid most of the healthy food in their daily routine, which leads to nutritional deficiencies and weight loss when the demands of the body are high. Also, constant vomiting leads to tiredness, followed by dehydration, and she might be scared to eat food, fearing a cycle of vomiting & tiredness.
Nutrition guide- in pregnancy
Energy is obtained by eating the right food. A balanced diet that is rich in carbs, proteins, fats, vitamins, & minerals. Dairy, whole grains, vegetables, eggs, & meat are the sources of food. Avoiding processed & canned food will be a wiser option. Limiting high-sugar foods and drinks will keep a check on the unnecessary calorie count. They are advised to continue to have a healthy, balanced diet with all essential nutrients to take care of the growing demands of the body.
While carbs are our staple food rooted back in our culture, the protein requirement needs to be addressed. Mother needs to consume a variety of foods to keep up with the demands of her body to house the growing baby.
Why is protein important in pregnancy?
Proteins are the main source of various vital components of the body, like the muscles, tissues, and hormones. Low protein in the diet during early pregnancy affects the growth & development of the baby.
A low-protein diet affects the growth of the fetus and also has an effect on post-delivery neural development in the child. After birth it accounts for the child’s development delay.
Role of Amino acids in growth & development
Let's look at the factual role of amino acids and explore their role in supporting a healthy pregnancy.
Amino acids are the basic building blocks of life. They are essential for the healthy well-being of mother and child. Amino acids can be thought of as the individual building blocks that make up the whole house of life. All proteins in our body, like the hormones, tissues, organs, and enzymes, are made using amino acids as basic building blocks. In order to accommodate the growing fetus, the placenta's development, the mother's body's physiological changes, and increased protein intake is required.
Since amino acids are the building blocks of proteins, the demand for amino acids increases dramatically throughout pregnancy.
Essential vs. Non-Essential: Amino acids have multiple roles. There are nine essential amino acids that our body can't synthesize on its own, which means they must be supplemented through diet. These are histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Both nonessential and essential AAs regulate key metabolic pathways to improve health, survival, growth, development, lactation, and reproduction of organisms. Some of the nonessential AAs (e.g. glutamine, glutamate, and arginine) play also important roles in regulating gene expression, cell signaling, antioxidant responses, immunity, and neurological function
To enhance an organism's health, survival, growth, development, lactation, and reproduction, both essential and nonessential AAs control key metabolic processes. Certain non-essential amino acids (AAs), including asparagine, glutamine, glutamate, and arginine, are also crucial for controlling gene expression, cell signaling, immunity, antioxidant responses, and brain function.
Other vitamins & minerals
Vitamin A is vital for eye health, immune function, and fetal development. Pregnant women are susceptible to vitamin A deficiency throughout pregnancy, and antenatal vitamin A supplementation saw reduced anemia rates and a decreased risk of night blindness and infection. Vitamin D is deficient in pregnancy and often requires supplementation. A deficiency of vitamin D affects the bone health of the developing fetus. High risks include women with limited sun exposure and vegetarian diets and those living in terrains of low sunlight. Newborn vitamin D levels depend on the mother's diet.
Benefits of B group of vitamins
• B-1 (Thiamine): Helps in the baby's brain development.
• B-2 (Riboflavin): Useful for eye health and skin radiance.
• B-3 (Niacin): Enhances digestion and helps alleviate morning sickness and nausea in pregnant women.
• B-5 (Pantothenic acid): Helps in the production of pregnancy hormones and alleviates leg cramps.
• B-6 (Pyridoxine): An important vitamin for fetal brain and nervous system development.
• B-7 (Biotin): Required for the growth and development of mother and baby.
• B-9 (Folic acid): Helps reduce birth defect risk during the baby’s
• B-12 (Cobalamin): You need to take it if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. It helps prevent neural tube defects and defects of the spine.
Folic acid and calcium are started as prenatal vitamins to aid in the development of the growing baby. Folic acid should be started before planning pregnancy or soon after pregnancy is confirmed.
Conclusion:
Pregnancy is a time of increased demand and overwhelming hormones that hamper your intake of complete nutrition. It is a challenging phase of life where eating healthy is compromised. When one is unable to take in adequate, varied foods in a balanced form. Your doctor recommends prenatal vitamins.
A balanced diet with a variety of green leafy vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein, low-fat dairy, healthy fats, and fiber is essential for maintaining a healthy eating habit. Choose whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, and whole-wheat bread for energy and fiber. Limit unhealthy fats and consume adequate fiber for digestion and constipation prevention. Drink lots of water to stay hydrated.
Disclaimer: While there is no substitute for a well-balanced diet, exercise, relaxation, or mindful eating for a healthy and happy pregnancy,. Supplements are just an add-on to your regular diet in case of unmet nutritional requirements. Please consult your doctor or healthcare professional before starting any medications.
FAQS
1. Who can take Astymin Forte?
Malnutrition & malnourishment & vegetarians, vegans, or anyone who is unable to take a wholesome diet.
2. What are protein foods?
Eggs, meat, chicken, seafood, nuts, beans, soy, and seeds contain protein.
3. Is taking supplements enough to meet my daily vitamin requirements?
A well-balanced diet should not be compromised for health. Supplements are there to support your unmet needs.
Please talk to your healthcare professional to assess your condition before taking any supplements.
4. Is it safe to take Astymin Forte during pregnancy?
Astymin forte can be taken in pregnancy. Please talk to your healthcare professional to assess your condition before taking any supplements.
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