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When Pregnant

When pregnant, there is a lot that you can do nutritionally to support your baby.  Developing babies required nutrients that come from a diverse and varied diet.  When you are pregnant, be sure to consume a variety of fruits and vegetables, as well as breads and cereals and fiber-containing grains.  Low fat milk, cheeses, and lean meats are also great to eat when pregnant.  Fish is a great source of the omega 3 fatty acids DHA and EPA which help support healthy brain development, but be sure to only consume wild caught fish, and limit your weekly intake.  There is a worry that fish contain mercury which is a byproduct of our own pollution and mercury can be harmful during pregnancy.   A baby fetus has continual needs for protein, iron, calcium, an thousands of other nutrients.  The best way to ensure that they get these nutrients in adequate quantities is by eating a healthy and diverse diet.

Drinking Water During Pregnancy

When pregnant, be sure to drink plenty of water and stay hydrated, especially early on in your pregnancy.  It is important to stay hydrated as your due date progresses, but at some point you may begin to retain water.  This is normal, but be sure that your doctor remains informed about any changes in your pregnancy or overall health.

Exercising When Pregnant

In addition to eating right, low impact exercise may be helpful during your pregnancy.  Non-strenuous exercise can help keep your body in shape as you prepare for the most strenuous marathon of your life.   The benefits of exercising when pregnant are too numerous to name, but be sure to no overdo it, and to once again keep your doctor informed.

Things to Avoid During Pregnancy

As part of staying healthy during this time, exercise and eating right are key.  Even more important however is staying away from bad habits that my impact your growing baby’s health.  Drinking when pregnant is not recommended.  There are too many documented cases of fetal alcohol syndrome in the world and drinking during pregnancy can set your baby up for a lifetime of health challenges.  The other big thing to avoid is cigarette smoking when pregnant.   Smoking is not recommended at any stage of life, but can be especially challenging when expecting a baby.  The toxins that you bring into your body from smoke not only need to be metabolized by you, but also your developing baby.  Unfortunately, a growing fetus is not well equipped to handle the onslaught of toxins that smoking provides.

Pregnancy is a time of great joy for many women.  Not only is it a great time of change for you, but it marks a fundamental change in the rest of your life.  By eating right, staying healthy, and avoiding toxins such as alcohol and cigarette smoke, you can enjoy a healthy and happy pregnancy.

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Posted on July 14th, 2009 by Julie  |  No Comments »