SingaporeMotherhood | Pregnancy
February 2012
How to Eat Well for Two: Nutrition during Pregnancy
As the saying goes, “you are what you eat”. This is even more important when you are pregnant, so choose your food well. Whatever you eat will provide the necessary building blocks for a healthy baby. Proper nutrition will provide your body with the resources it requires during pregnancy. It is also essential for the healthy development of your baby.
So which foods are actually beneficial for mums-to-be during pregnancy? Which should pregnant women consume in moderation? The Health Promotion Board and Senior Dietitians from KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Ms Lim Siew Choo and Ms Nehal Kamdar, tell us.
Pregnancy Nutrition for Growth
Recommended Daily Intake
Over the course of pregnancy, a mother’s total weight gain should be 11 to 15 kg (for women of normal weight before pregnancy), with an approximate gain of 0.45 kg per week from the second trimester onwards.
Most of this weight is due to the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid. There is also approximately 3 kg of fat stores in preparation for breastfeeding.
Do not diet during pregnancy as this will reduce the amount of nutrients available for your baby’s development. If you stay within recommended daily food intake guidelines, it should not take long to return to your pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth.
A pregnant mother only requires 2,200 calories per day during the first trimester and an additional 300 calories per day from the second trimester onwards.
Since it is easy to reach this “quota”, it is important to choose food that will fulfil your additional nutritional needs. Some food combinations which make up 300 calories include:
- 2 thin slices of pork, ½ cup of cabbage, 1 carrot
- 2 slices of bread with cheese and margarine
- 1 cup of low fat yoghurt, 1 medium-sized apple, 1 cup of lettuce
- 1 chicken curry bun and 1 bowl of tau huay (beancurd)
The table below summarises nutrients which your baby requires for development, as well as the foods that are rich in these nutrients. A description of each nutrient follows.
Folic Acid
Folic acid is required for cell growth and is often prescribed during the first trimester. A deficiency in folic acid increases the chances of neural-tube defects such as spina bifida. This is a condition where the spinal cord and nerves are exposed at the base of the baby’s spine.
Iron
Both mother and baby require iron for blood formation. Additionally, an increase in iron intake helps build up iron stores in the baby for the first six months of life. Because the blood volume in a pregnant woman increases by up to 50%, iron deficiency can cause the mother to become anaemic and feel tired easily.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C aids iron absorption and boosts the body’s immune system. As we cannot store Vitamin C in our body, it has to be taken on a daily basis.
Calcium and Vitamin D
Calcium helps develop strong bones and teeth, as well as healthy nerves and heart muscles in the baby, while Vitamin D aids calcium absorption. Failure to take sufficient calcium during pregnancy may deplete the mother’s calcium stores. Just ten to 15 minutes of exposure to sunlight (although you should avoid the noon-day sun) can help the body manufacture Vitamin D.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is important for the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system while EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) benefits the heart and the immune system. An increased intake of DHA and EPA also lowers the risk of pre-term labour and post-natal depression.
Foods to Consume in Moderation
Caffeine
Studies show that high levels of caffeine in the mother may affect development of the baby’s respiratory system and increase the risk of miscarriage. In addition, every 150 mg of caffeine consumed causes approximately 5 mg of calcium to be excreted from the body.
Pregnant women should limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg daily, and to allow at least half an hour between taking caffeine and calcium supplements. Caffeine may be found in several food items as listed below:
Some Types of Fishes
Fish is an important source of Omega-3, Vitamin B and other nutrients. However some large fishes contain high levels of mercury due to environmental pollution. Because mercury affects the development of the baby’s brain and nervous system, it is best to consume various fishes within the following recommended limits as recommended by American Pregnancy.
Fortunately, some fishes which provide a good source of Omega-3 contain low amounts of mercury and are relatively safer to consume. If you are concerned about mercury levels, seek your gynaecologists’ or dietitians’ recommendations for high quality purified fish oil supplements, in which the toxins have been removed.
Featured image: Amina Filkins on Pexels
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