Oh Baby Eat It

Dietician Sushila Sharangdhar says, "You need to get an increase of 300 calories per day."

Your food intake is the only form of nutrition for your baby so it is important that you eat right.

Sushila Sharangdhar tells you what you need to eat and in what quantity:

• Proteins helps in the growth of the foetus, development of placenta, enlargement of maternal tissues, increase in maternal blood volumes, formation of amniotic fluid, increase protein reserves to prepare for labour, delivery, the immediate post partum period and lactation.

Additional 15g /day during the latter half of pregnancy

Sources: beans and dals, yoghurt, milk, paneer, tofu, cheese, eggs, chicken, fish, red meats like pork, lamb and veal.

• Fats like milk, cream, cheese, butter, margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressings and nuts.
  
  
• Carbohydrates like pasta, breads, cereal, rice and potatoes.
  
  
• Calcium helps in the development of the baby's teeth and bones. And for pregnant women under 25, bones are still increasing in density.

An additional 600 mg a day

Sources: Cheese, milk, butter, spinach, broccoli, nuts and eggs.

• Folic Acid reduces birth defects and incidents of abortions, protects against anemia, increases red blood cell formation and foetal and maternal growth.

Additional 300mg per day

Sources: Green leafy vegetables like spinach and methi.

• Iron helps in the development of foetal liver, provides for iron losses during delivery and increases haemoglobin and iron stores for the foetus.

Sources: Spinach, cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, eggs, veal and lamb and fruits like apples.

• Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, D and E like carrots, peas, tomatoes, spinach, turnips, brussel sprouts, beetroots, beans, wheat, soy bean, seafood, cheese, cabbage, lettuce, broccoli, butter, whole wheat bread, milk and fruits like oranges, melons, strawberries and bananas.

These vitamins increase the strength of foetal bones and the functioning of muscle and nerve tissues.

We give you a sample diet that will keep you healthy and fit all through your pregnancy.