Diet during First Trimester of Pregnancy

Once the pregnancy is confirmed, ‘what and what not’ becomes a major concern for many women regarding their diet and nutrition. There are a few things you could know which would help you to understand this ‘what and what not’.

Why is Proper Diet More Important in First Trimester?

First Trimester begins on the first day of your last period and ends on the last day of your 12 weeks, when your third month ends. It becomes very important at this time to pay more attention to your regular diet and ensure it is loaded with nutrients.

A woman in first trimester needs diet, which would help for the healthy baby development, baby’s bone development and the baby’s brain development. The diet should ensure that the pregnant woman gives ample nutrients, especially that of the supply of calcium and iron to the body and the baby.

Read About  – Challenges During First Trimester: Tips to Manage and When To Visit Doctor

What Is a Must and What Could Be Avoided?

Diet during the first trimester can include fruits in these 12 weeks, as they could easily give a complete nutritional package for your baby. Eating plenty of fresh fruits during pregnancy can help, to ensure that both the woman and baby remain healthy. Fresh fruits contain lots of essential vitamins and nutrients and is a good source of fibre too.

A few fruits like Papaya, Pineapple, grapes, etc., which could generate body heat are advised to avoid during the first trimester. Other than these all fruits are very good and advised. A pregnant lady should consume at least three fruits in a day and can be taken more than that. While milk and egg can be a great source of nutrients, it is best to avoid caffeine products.

Read About  – 4 Essential Nutrient Supplements During First Trimester of Pregnancy

A healthy diet udring first trimester also includes vegetables, which can help avoid complications such as
gestational diabetes and nutrition deficiency, as they contain vitamins such as beta carotene,
Vitamin C, Iron and folic acid, apart from much-needed fibre. These prevent the complications during the pregnancy period, which could happen because of lack of proper diet. Eating vegetables also helps the baby develop a healthy birth weight, reduces the risk of anaemia, controls blood pressure, and leads to healthy weight-gain in the mother.

Why More Fruits and Vegetables in First Trimester?

Fruits and vegetables are insisted in the diet during first trimester because many tend to have morning sickness and vomiting more during the first three months and nausea feeling gets lesser with fruits and vegetables than rice, milk or pulses.

Read About – First Weeks of Pregnancy – What You Need to Know and Do

Are you Concerned About No Weight Increase?
No need to be. Stay Calm.

One point to remember during the first trimester, despite proper diet and regular intake of
nutrient supplements advised by your gynaecologist, there could be no increase in your weight or sometimes even loss of weight due to vomiting. But, you need not worry as this is not uncommon during the first trimester. Stick to your advised diet.

What a woman eats and drinks during pregnancy is her baby’s main source of nourishment.
So, experts recommend that a mother-to-be ‘s diet should include a variety of healthy foods and beverages to provide the important nutrients a baby needs for growth and development.

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Happy Pregnancy!!

Rathikala Manickam