Pregnancy diet
The pregnancy diet was created in order to help women eat healthy while pregnant and thus further ensure that they will give birth to a healthy baby. It calls for some of the traditional diet "do's" such as staying away from junk food, alcohol and caffeine, and some "don'ts" as well, including staying away from excessive dietary fat, limiting intake to about twenty percent.
Pregnant women generally require higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals in their blood for the health of the baby. These include iron (for the blood), calcium (for bones), and folic acid supplementation during the early weeks of pregnancy to protect against certain birth defects of the spine and brain. The American Dietetic Association recommends increasing the servings of fruits and vegetables eaten each day to seven in order to account for the increased demand for vitamins and minerals imposed by pregnancy.
There are also certain foods that should be avoided. Fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish (also called golden or white snapper) should be avoided because they can have high levels of mercury, which in high doses can be dangerous to a baby's developing nervous system. For the same reason, pregnant women should limit themselves to no more than six ounce of "albacore" or "white" tuna per week. MSG is an additive that pregant women should avoid, as it can cause headaches and an upset stomach. Caffeine should be limited as it can cause irritability, nervousness, and insomnia.
Overall, this is a healthy and sensible way of eating. Eat a nutritious diet that is moderate in fat content. Eat nutrient-dense food from a variety of sources in sensible quantity. Include lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of lean protein, avoid junk food, and get exercise. While this is designed specifically for pregnant women, you can see that this plan would generally work for anyone who wanted to be healthier or drop some weight. It's a healthy alternative that avoids harmful additives and promotes well being.
Pregnant women generally require higher levels of certain vitamins and minerals in their blood for the health of the baby. These include iron (for the blood), calcium (for bones), and folic acid supplementation during the early weeks of pregnancy to protect against certain birth defects of the spine and brain. The American Dietetic Association recommends increasing the servings of fruits and vegetables eaten each day to seven in order to account for the increased demand for vitamins and minerals imposed by pregnancy.
There are also certain foods that should be avoided. Fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish (also called golden or white snapper) should be avoided because they can have high levels of mercury, which in high doses can be dangerous to a baby's developing nervous system. For the same reason, pregnant women should limit themselves to no more than six ounce of "albacore" or "white" tuna per week. MSG is an additive that pregant women should avoid, as it can cause headaches and an upset stomach. Caffeine should be limited as it can cause irritability, nervousness, and insomnia.
Overall, this is a healthy and sensible way of eating. Eat a nutritious diet that is moderate in fat content. Eat nutrient-dense food from a variety of sources in sensible quantity. Include lots of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, moderate amounts of lean protein, avoid junk food, and get exercise. While this is designed specifically for pregnant women, you can see that this plan would generally work for anyone who wanted to be healthier or drop some weight. It's a healthy alternative that avoids harmful additives and promotes well being.
Weight loss News
Obesity in old age may not kill, but may disable
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Obesity after the age of 70 may not shorten a person's life, but it may lead to more years of disability, a new study suggests. Researchers found that among more than 7,...
Robotic Weight-loss Surgery Appears Safe
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Keyhole or "laparoscopic" surgery for obesity can be safely performed with a completely robotic approach, new research indicates. Whether this represents a real s...
Ten million Thais risk health problems from being overweight
BANGKOK (AFP) - Up to 10 million Thais could face health problems from being overweight, a deputy health minister warned. "There are about 13.0 percent of the population, or 10 million people,...