With exercise comes good nutrition. Staying healthy and low risk in pregnancy is the best way to have a healthy birth and postpartum period. By eating well and growing a healthy baby you reduce the risks of several potential problems like:
- Gestational Diabetes
- Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight
- Preeclampsia/Toxemia
- Much more!
The old adage of eating for two is not true at all. While you do need to increase your calorie intake by about 300 calories a day, making the most of those calories is very important.
There is a huge difference between adding 300 calories of junk food and 300 calories of protein or in fruits and vegetables. Basically 300 calories would be a peanut butter sandwich or a candy bar. Obviously one is the better choice.
Realizing that every single cell starts with the building block of protein, it's interesting to note that some studies have found that women who have a protein intake of 75 grams a day or more have even lower risks of some pregnancy complications.
Prenatal vitamins are supplements that many women take, some even prior to pregnancy. These should be viewed as what they are: supplements. Taking them will not reduce your need for a healthy diet. It will merely help balance out some deficiencies.
