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NUTRITION FOR PREGNANT WOMAN

NUTRITION FOR PREGNANT WOMAN

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  • Post last modified:February 6, 2025
  • Post category:Health
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Pre-pregnancy nutrition influences a woman’s ability to conceive and determines the foetal growth and development.Pregnant adolescent girls have increased nutritional needs especially for iron compared to older women of reproductive age because of her own immaturity and growth needs ;they need closer care by a healthcare provider.

During pregnancy you will need an extra meal each day in addition to your 3 regular meals and two snacks to support your own nutrition and that of your foetus . Examples of snacks may be a sweet potatoes,a banana, porridge,milk or ground nuts .Eat a variety of foods from plants and animal source proteins,to build your body.

Cereals ,roots and tubers provide your body with energy.Eat whole meal cereals as they are healthy and contain more nutrients.

Vegetables and fruits contain a variety of vitamins and minerals which protect you and your baby from diseases.Eat adequate vitamin C rich foods eg fruits and vegetables so that they help in the utilization of iron from other foods.

Eat more dark green leafy Vegetables,liver ,red meats as they are good for you.They contain folic acid and other nutrients.Folic acid when taken within the first 28 days after conception prevents neural tube defects and miscarriage.

Consume milk and milk products such as mala ,youghurt ,cheese , butter as they are rich in calcium.

Take your IFAS daily with meals during the duration of the pregnancy to improve your iron stores to prevent ;maternal anemia ,neural tube defects and low birth weight.

Separate your meals and beverages to prevent interference with iron absorption .It is better to drink tea or coffee an hour before or after a meal.

Use iodized salt for optimum brain development and to prevent delivering a baby of short statute(dwarf).Lack of iodine during pregnancy can lead to miscarriage or still births.

You are encouraged to minimise heavy work and maintain light exercises to stay healthy.

 

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