Diet
Eating a healthy diet is a great way to prepare your body for pregnancy. During pregnancy, so many important developments and body changes take place especially in the first month. Just by changing your diet alone, and incorporating foods rich in certain nutrients and low in toxins, you can reduce the risk of birth complications and defects. A healthy diet is important for both the mother and the fetus. If you want a healthy pregnancy in Ballston, changing your diet well before pregnancy will establish great habit, which will carry you through the pregnancy, giving your baby the best chances of taking care of itself.
Healthy Diet
You must eat a well-balanced diet. One specific diet is not enough to get you pregnant but sticking to a healthy diet will keep you healthier overall and make it easier to get pregnant. Lean protein such as skinless chicken, fish and beans must be a part of your diet. Proteins enable your body to repair torn muscles and build muscle and tissue. Try to include fish in your diet at least twice a week. Avoid fish that’s high in mercury, such as swordfish, shark or canned tuna, since mercury can accumulate in the body and affect the baby. Fish provide essential nutrients to keep the body healthy.
Make vegetables and fruits fill up half of your plate at every meal. Fresh foods provide essential minerals and vitamins, as well as the much needed fiber. Ensure you have a variety of fruits and vegetables. Avoid processed grains and replace that with whole grains such as oatmeal, whole wheat bread or whole-wheat pasta. Cut back on some fats such as Trans fats, which are made by hydrogenating and solidifying healthier oils. Limit your intake of saturated fats such as those found in dairy products or bacon. Pick low-fat dairy products. Eat good fats such as monounsaturated fats found in vegetable oils, for instance canola oil, peanut oil, and olive oil. They can also be found in avocados and nuts.
Additional Changes
Take folic acid if you’re trying to conceive. Start taking the supplements immediately after you go off your birth control. Most folic acids come in the form of prenatal vitamin supplements which are to be taken for the duration of the pregnancy. Take approximately 400 grams of folic acid daily. Increase your choline intake. Choline helps you reduce the chances of birth complications and defects in your baby. Foods rich in choline include egg yolks, cauliflower or beef liver.
Before taking herbal teas and supplements, check with your doctor first. Herbal teas and supplements can be harmful to your baby and should be discussed keenly before imbibing them. Additionally, skip bisphenol A or BPA as it can lower your fertility rates. Avoid consuming foods out of cans or plastic labeled with number 7 or 3. Avoid microwaving food in plastic as heat can cause BPA to leach out into the meal. If you have to heat something up in plastic, purchase BPA-free plastic and discard any warped or scratched plastic ware, which are more likely to exude BPA. Choose frozen food over canned food if it’s available. Some can linings may be made with BPA. Avoid drinking alcohol as it can be linked to lower fertility. Avoid consuming alcohol even if you’ve already gotten pregnant, as it could be bad for the baby.
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