“Eat for the baby, dress for the mother” – this old saying still holds true today. However, how to “eat for the baby” correctly, ensuring it “goes to the baby and not the mother” in the sense of excessive maternal weight gain, is what many women worry about. Surely everyone wants their beloved baby to be born healthy and chubby while the mother still maintains a slim figure, right? This article from HỌC LÀM will help expectant mothers answer all questions about the secrets of scientific eating during pregnancy.
Secrets to “Nourishing Baby, Not Mother”
Many pregnant women worry that gaining too much weight during pregnancy will make it difficult to regain their figure after childbirth. But moderate weight gain is necessary for the healthy development of the fetus. So what does “nourishing baby, not mother” mean? It means that pregnant women provide enough nutrients for their baby without accumulating excess fat for themselves. The secret lies in choosing smart foods and building a scientific and reasonable diet. Professor Nguyen Thi Lan Huong, a leading nutritionist in Vietnam, shared in her book “Nutrition for Pregnant Women”: “The key to a healthy pregnancy is a balanced and scientific diet.”
Essential Nutrients for Pregnant Women
A pregnant woman’s body needs to be supplemented with all groups of nutrients: protein, healthy fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Protein helps build cells for the fetus, healthy fats support brain development, carbohydrates provide energy, and vitamins and minerals help complete bodily functions. Pregnant women should prioritize nutrient-rich foods such as lean meat, salmon, eggs, yogurt, green vegetables, and fresh fruits.
Building a Scientific Meal Plan
A scientific meal plan needs to ensure sufficient nutrients, diversity, and be divided into small meals. Pregnant women should eat 3 main meals and 2-3 snacks per day. Avoid eating too much in one meal, as it can easily cause indigestion and uncontrolled weight gain. Drinking enough water is also very important, about 2-3 liters of water per day.
Spiritual Beliefs About Eating During Pregnancy
Our ancestors often avoided eating certain foods during pregnancy, such as crabs, snails, and Malabar spinach, because they believed they could cause birth defects. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this. The important thing is that pregnant women need to choose fresh and safe foods, ensuring food hygiene and safety. Many people believe that eating a lot of goose eggs will make the baby smarter. This is also just a folk belief, not scientifically proven.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How many calories should pregnant women eat per day? Depending on their physique and activity level, pregnant women need about 2,200-2,500 calories per day.
- Should pregnant women diet? Strict dieting is not recommended, as it can affect the development of the fetus.
- How should vitamins and minerals be supplemented? Pregnant women should consult their doctor for advice on appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Conclusion
“Nourishing baby, not mother” is completely achievable if pregnant women adopt a scientific diet and a healthy lifestyle. Listen to your body, choose smart foods, and don’t forget to consult your doctor for a healthy and fulfilling pregnancy. HỌC LÀM wishes all pregnant mothers good health and a safe delivery! Contact us at Phone Number: 0372888889, or visit us at: 335 Nguyen Trai, Thanh Xuan, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team. Don’t forget to share this article if you find it helpful and explore more articles about health care on our website!