Pregnancy can change many things in your life. The first trimester is still easy to manage, although most women do have issues like nausea and morning sickness. However, you are unlikely to see any major changes in your body. By the end of first trimester, you will still not have a visible bump, but chances are high that you have gained weight. Pregnancy nutrition and embryo growth are aspects that need more attention. In this post, we will talk about nutrition for the second trimester.
Understanding the requirements
Your body needs balanced meals during each of the trimesters, but avoid over-indulging in food by all means. For optimal growth of the fetus, you need to ensure that the macros like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins come from the diet. Just to ensure that you are not missing out on nutrition, it is a good idea to consider additional supplements and prenatal vitamins. It’s a common myth that pregnant women need to eat for two. While you body needs about 300 extra calories in the second and third trimester, you don’t need to overeat.
Eat right without bias
During the 2nd trimester, you need foods that are rich in Vitamin D, calcium, folate and magnesium. You also need a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids, which helps in brain and central nervous system development of the baby. Contrary to what many may believe, you don’t have to skip meats and fish altogether. Fishes that are high on mercury content like shark and swordfish are usually not recommended, but you can always have sardines and salmon among others. Lean meats are great sources of protein, as long as you are not having undercooked, processed and raw variants. Raw meat can be contaminated with various bacteria, which is why meat should be completely cooked through.
Foods to avoid
As mentioned, raw eggs and meat are off the menu, and so are fishes that are rich in mercury. Talk to your doctor to know if there needs to be tab on seafood. Unpasteurized dairy products and fruit juices are also not recommended, and you should also stay away from certain cheeses like feta cheese. While caffeine is allowed in moderation, don’t have more than two cups of coffee in a day. Alcohol is totally off limits.
You diet is important for you and your baby, so spend on nutrition and eat a balanced diet each day. Talk to your doctor for more detailed information.