Eating Healthy During Pregnancy

Starting off your with a healthy well balanced diet is the best thing you do for yourself and your baby.  This way, you'll only need to make a few adjustments during your pregnancy.

Your first trimester

If you find it tough to maintain a balanced diet during your first trimester, you can rest assured that your not alone.  Due to queasiness, some  women will eat all of the time and gain a lot of  weight in the process.  Other women have trouble getting food down and subsequently lose weight.  

Preventing malnutrition and dehydration are your most important factors during first trimester.  

Calories

When you are pregnant, you need to consume around 300 calories more than usual every day.  The best way to go about doing this is listening to your  body when you are hungry.  You should try to eat

as many foods as possible from the bottom of the food pyramid.

If you gain weight too slow, try eating small  meals and slightly increase the fat in your diet. You should always eat when you are hungry, as you are now eating for 2 instead of one.

Calcium

By the second trimester, you'll need around 1,500 milligrams of calcium each day for your bones and

your baby', which is more than a quart of milk.  Calcium is something that's missing from many  diets.  Along with milk, other great sources for calcium include dairy products, calcium fortified

juices, and even calcium tablets.

Fiber

Fiber can help to prevent constipation, which is a common pregnancy problem.  You can find fiber in whole grains, fruits, and even vegetables.  Fiber supplements such as Metamucil and Citrucel are  safe to take during pregnancy.

Protein

Unless you happen to be a strict vegetarian, your protein intake is not normally a problem for women

who eat a healthy diet.

Iron 

A lot of women will start their pregnancy off with a bit of iron deficiency.  Good sources of iron include dark leafy green vegetables and meats.  Iron supplements should be avoided, as they can cause internal symptoms such as cramping, constipation, or diarrhea.  

Vitamins

Seeing as how you get a majority of the vitamins you need in your diet, you may want to discuss prenatal vitamins with your doctor.  Folate is one of the most important, and if you are getting enough of it, you may be able to avoid vitamins all together - just ask your doctor to make sure.

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Eating For A Healthy Heart

Bad cholesterol or a bad diet is something we all experience at some point in time.  It's impossible

to eat healthy our whole lives, even though we may try hard to do it.  Eating healthy for your heart

is something everyone should try to do, especially when it comes to restoring health and reducing

heart attacks.

Your heart and food We know these things for sure - a diet high in saturated fats will help raise your cholesterol,  which is a risk factor for heart disease.  People that are obese are more prone to heart disease.  A diet high in sodium may elevate your blood pressure, leading to inflammation and even heart disease.

To help prevent heart disease and improve your health, put the tips below to good use.

Eat plenty of fish Herring, sardines, and salmon are all excellent sources of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.  Other fish are great to, although Omega 3 may help to get your cholesterol down to a healthier level.

Choosing healthy fats and oils

Saturated fat will increase the risk of heart disease. It's found in meat, butter, and even coconut oil. You should avoid them until your cholesterol levels are  down and you are at a healthy weight.  Even those that love red meats can enjoy seafood and nuts for their main sources of protein.

Monounsaturated fats such as olive oils will help  you to protect your heart.  Olive oil is an ideal choice for cooking, dressing, or even as a dipping sauce.

Plenty of fiber

Fiber can help you control your cholesterol.  You  can find fiber in whole grain products to help control sugar absorption as well, which will help you keep your digestive system healthy.

Choosing carbohydrates

Eating for your heart involves staying away from sugary foods such as candy, cookies, cakes, and pastries.  Eating a lot of sugar isn't good for  your heart disease at all.  Healthy carbohydrates involve whole grain breads, whole grain pasta, brown rice, and a lot of vegetables.  You should make fruits and vegetables the main aspect of your diet.

Healthy cooking methods

Stir frying and sauteing with olive oil or canola oil are both great methods, as you shouldn't dip your food in batter and fry it anymore.  If you cook chicken, remove the skin and bake it in the oven in foil.

Instead of frying your fish you should always bake it.  Steaming your vegetables can help maintain the most nutrients.  You should use cream sauces or lots of butter anymore either.  When you eat vegetables,  try squeezing lemon juice on them or using your  favorite seasonings.

As you make the proper changes to your diet, keep in mind that it takes time for them to become habits.   Eating healthy is always great for your body and your lifestyle, especially when it comes to your heart and the prevention of heart disease.

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