NUTRITIONAL DEMANDS DURING PREGNANCY- LIFE+STAGES+POSTS Many changes occur to the mother’s body during pregnancy. In the nine months of pregnancy you will gain about 11-15kg, most of it in the second half of the pregnancy. The weight gain includes an increase in the amount of circulating blood, an increase in breast size (in anticipation of breast feeding), a small amount of extra fat (to be called upon in breastfeeding), amniotic fluid and, of course, the baby. Energy is vital for the growth of the developing baby. Around an extra 1500 kJ is needed per day in the second half of pregnancy. Just two bananas will give you 1000 kJ of that energy. And because those two bananas provide energy in a fat-free form, they’ll also help you stay in shape. Is this eating for two? Not really. However, it does mean that mum should be eating plenty of nutritious foods to assist the growing baby. During pregnancy some muscles are more relaxed (which is the reason for heartburn and constipation) and there is an increase in appetite and thirst, and cravings, of the mum-to-be. The developing babys health will depend upon the health of the mum before pregnancy, during and after she gives birth.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 05:30:00 +0000