Pregnancy is a wonderful period during which an expectant woman does all she can do to ensure that she provides her unborn baby with the best possible. Opting for a healthy pregnancy menu plan is just one of the many changes that a woman makes consciously, keeping in mind the well being of her baby. Healthy eating must be clubbed with a pregnancy workout plan that reserves approximately half an hour per day for non-strenuous exercise such as walking, swimming or dancing. Sufficient rest is also essential at this phase in life. More on healthy pregnancy diet
Pregnancy menu planning is not a very difficult task. A pregnancy eating plan must concentrate on a high protein diet as it is essential for a developing baby's needs. In addition, there must be a good blend of a variety of nutrients as a deficiency can have lifelong effects on the unborn baby. The nutrients which are especially essential are folic acid, iron and calcium which are needed to keep away congenital defects and complications related to the formation of blood and bones.
The first rule to remember with regard to a pregnancy diet menu is to ensure that the foods you choose are easy to digest and are spread over six to seven small portions throughout the day. This is important as the digestive system becomes sluggish due to the hormonal changes that occur within the body making the digestion of large meals difficult. Morning sickness is one of the main symptoms connected with pregnancy and having a heavy breakfast is known to aggravate the condition in many pregnant women. Hence, a light breakfast in the form of porridge or a bowl of cornflakes is recommended. Peanut butter sandwiches and a glass of fruit juice such as orange juice are also advisable. Nuts, raw vegetables like carrots and fruit make an excellent snack and can be consumed at any time of the day without fear of indigestion. In addition, these foods provide the body with roughage as well as a host of nutrients. A light meal in the form of salads, pasta, white meat and fish is ideal. The last meal for the day must be consumed at least two hours before bedtime so as to reduce the chances of discomfort leading to sleepless nights. Red meats and oily or spicy foods must be avoided as they are difficult to digest and tend to increase the chances of heartburn and constipation. Foods rich in sugar must also be avoided so as to avoid gestational diabetes. Drinking at least eight to ten glasses of water is also essential so as to prevent water retention as well as dehydration.
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