Pregnancy and Protein
Prenatal care, also known as antenatal care, is a type of preventive healthcare. What a woman eats and drinks during pregnancy is her baby’s main source of nourishment.
A diet that lacks key nutrients may negatively affect the baby’s development. Poor eating habits and excess weight gain may also increase the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy or birth complications.
Taking probiotic supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk of complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, vaginal infections and allergies.
- Dairy products contain two types of high quality protein: casein and whey. Dairy is the best dietary source of calcium, and provides high amounts of phosphorus, various B-vitamins, magnesium and zinc
- Yogurt, especially Greek yogurt, is particularly beneficial for pregnant women.
- Eggs are a great source of protein, a crucial part of pregnancy diet. The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of the cells in the baby.
- Salmon contains the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are important for brain and eye development in the growing baby. Salmon is also a natural source of vitamin D.
- Fish liver oil – Fish provides key nutrients that are two omega-3 fatty acids – DHA and EPA which are difficult to find in other foods. Fish is also low in saturated fat and high in protein, vitamin D, and other nutrients that are crucial for a developing baby and a healthy pregnancy.