Pregnancy is one of the most important periods in human life when nutrition is most important. During pregnancy, there is only one source for the baby's nutrition, growth and development: The mother. For this reason, healthy nutrition becomes even more important during pregnancy. During pregnancy, the growth and development of the baby occurs when the food consumed by the mother reaches the baby through the placenta. The baby gets all the energy and nutrients it needs from the mother under all circumstances. It is very important for the health of both the mother to act with the awareness that every food she consumes will reach her baby and to eat in a way that meets the energy and nutritional needs of both herself and her baby during pregnancy.
Some factors affecting the health of the mother and the baby during pregnancy. has. Such as gestational age, infection during pregnancy, medication used, alcohol, cigarettes, number of pregnancies, environmental factors exposed... Undoubtedly, the most important thing is nutrition. Adequate and balanced nutrition of the mother during pregnancy is very important for both protecting her own health and ensuring the physical and mental development of the baby.
Since the baby meets its needs from the mother during pregnancy, the mother should include her baby's normal nutrition in her nutrition plan. It is necessary to make additions to meet the However, this situation has created a wrong idea among the public that a pregnant woman should feed for 2 people. However, just as malnutrition during pregnancy is risky for the mother and baby, overnutrition is just as harmful.
Problems that may occur in the mother and baby as a result of malnutrition during pregnancy:
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The risk of toxemia increases in pregnant women.
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Edema may occur due to insufficient protein intake.
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Problems such as anemia, osteomalacia, tooth decay and loss may occur.
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Energy and protein requirements increase with pregnancy. Failure to meet this need causes weight loss.
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It may negatively affect the birth and breastfeeding process.
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Death and birth as a result of malnutrition during pregnancy. , giving birth to a low birth weight baby,/premature birth, congenital anomalies (heart diseases, neural tube defects,…) and The risk of mental retardation increases.
Problems that may occur in mother and baby as a result of overnutrition during pregnancy:
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Cesarean section
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Postmaturation (delay in birth date)
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Meconium aspiration (a condition known as the baby swallowing his feces during pregnancy)
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Macrosomia babies (babies larger than normal)
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Excessive weight gain and the resulting increased risk of developing gestational diabetes
To summarize, during pregnancy, the mother needs to meet her own energy and nutritional needs, to keep the stores in her body in balance, to ensure that her baby grows, develops and is born in a healthy way, and to ensure that the milk to be secreted during breastfeeding is productive.
General recommendations to ensure healthy nutrition during pregnancy:
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Food to provide all the vitamins and minerals necessary for mother and baby. Importance should be given to diversity.
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Meals should be consumed little and often.
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On average, 2 glasses of milk/yoghurt per day + Care should be taken to consume 2 slices (60 grams) of cheese + 3-4 portions of meat group/legumes/eggs + 5-7 portions of fresh vegetables and fruits + 4-7 portions of bread group.
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Consuming whole grain products containing B group vitamins helps meet the increasing need during pregnancy.
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Dark green leafy vegetables, dried legumes, and legumes, which contain plenty of folic acid, one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy. Eggs, cauliflower, whole grains, milk and its products should definitely be included in the diet.
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For the intake of zinc, which is important in tissue development, meat, seafood, milk and its products, eggs, oilseeds, etc. foods should be included in the diet.
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It is important to consume iron-rich foods (red meat, eggs, legumes, molasses).
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Iron absorption can be increased by consuming fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C (peppers, citrus fruits, kiwi, spinach,…) with meals.
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Excessive tea and coffee consumption should be limited as it will negatively affect the baby's health. It should be broken. Since it prevents iron absorption, it should be consumed 1-2 hours before meals. The best choices to consume as beverages are milk, buttermilk, unsweetened low-sugar compote, compote, lemonade and freshly squeezed fruit juice.
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Attention should be paid to water consumption.
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To prevent constipation, which is a common problem during pregnancy, care should be taken to consume plenty of fiber.
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Prepackaged foods and processed products should be avoided.
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To prevent excessive weight gain, sugary, floury and fatty foods should be avoided.
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Iodized salt should be preferred.
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Salt consumption should be careful as there is a risk of hypertension.
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Alcohol and cigarettes should not be used.
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Vegetables/fruits, which may harm the baby due to toxins taken with food, should be washed thoroughly and hygiene rules should be observed in matters such as preparation, cooking and storage of foods.
Remember, the greatest favor you can do for your baby and yourself is a healthy diet.
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