Pregnancy and good nutrition are two things that go hand in hand. One thing that is absolutely indispensable during pregnancy is getting good nutrition for both the mother and the baby, which may be achieved by following a healthy diet program. Good nutrition is a vital determinant for the baby’s long-term wellness and ability to combat any illnesses by having a strong resistance. A good diet program that focuses on the area of good nutrition is the Mayo Pregnancy Diet. Following the said diet would lessen the chances of any difficulties during the pregnancy period, such as:
• Having a miscarriage
• Getting dehydrated
• Toxemia
• Any birth defects of the baby
One of the nutritional frameworks strongly highlighted by the Mayo Pregnancy Diet is the food pyramid. The pyramid, a guideline that is applicable not just for pregnant women but for everyone else as well, states that the foods at the bottom of the pyramid, such as grains, pasta, bread, fruits and vegetables should be consumed more often, and the foods at the upper portion, such as fatty meats, should be taken in lesser amounts. Following the recommended daily servings in the pyramid would provide pregnant women with many of the essential nutrients that they need which they would also pass on to their babies, resulting to strong bones, normal heart and organ functions, and maintenance of a healthy weight.
In order to ensure the health of the baby, a pregnant mother also has to make healthy food choices. The food pyramid eases the difficulties of deciding which foods are healthy and which are not, as it already suggests the selection of food groups that should be included in a pregnant mother’s daily diet, as well as the amounts in which these foods should be taken. The goal of this is to provide the mother with optimal nutrition, and to provide the necessary amounts of carbohydrates, proteins, and healthy fats for the mother and the baby.
The Mayo Pregnancy Diet takes the basics of the food pyramid in order to provide guidelines for ensuring the proper wellness of the mother and the baby through proper nutrition.
• Consume more servings of fruits, vegetables and whole grain products
• Refrain from eating foods which are oily or fatty
• Foods rich in cholesterol should not be consumed as much as possible
• Take note of the daily intake of calories, in order to maintain a healthy weight
• Eat in frequent intervals, but with smaller serving sizes, to retain blood sugar levels within a healthy range
• Products with alcohol should not be consumed
• Increase the daily caloric intake by 300 calories with nutritious food choices, to provide the nutrition needed by the baby
Aside from providing these guidelines, the Mayo Pregnancy Diet also provides specific food choices which are healthy and are acquired from the food pyramid.
• Beans which provide the necessary vitamins and minerals
• Lean beef
• Fruits such as berries and oranges which serve as sources of folate and Vitamin C
• Low-fat cheese, which is an excellent source of calcium
• Eggs which provide Omega-3 acids
• Low-fat milk which provides the necessary amounts of calcium and Vitamin D
• Low-fat yogurt which serves as a source of Zinc and the B Vitamins
Of course, it is imperative for a pregnant mother to check with the doctor first before undergoing the Mayo Pregnancy Diet, or any other diet program for that matter. The Mayo Pregnancy Diet can be a good way to provide the proper nutrition that both the baby and mother need without having to sacrifice the good taste of food, by providing easy-to-follow recipes for delectable and healthy meals.
