Folate is an important nutrient for the developing baby. A synthetic form of folate used in prenatal vitamins and as food supplements is folic acid. Studies have shown folate can help prevent neural tube defects affecting the brain and spinal cord. The most important time period for baby to reap the benefits of folate in the diet is when the neural tube is forming in the early weeks of pregnancy. In many cases, this is happening before a woman even knows she is pregnant or just after she discovers the pregnancy. For this reason, increasing the intake of folate in … Continue reading →

During pregnancy, a variety of nutrients are vital to the development of the baby and health of the mother. One important nutrient is calcium. Calcium is important to both mother and baby and not getting enough can have serious consequences, particularly for mom. Calcium is vital for the development of the bones and teeth. This is how calcium is best known by most people. But that’s not all it does to aid in fetal development. This nutrient is also used in muscle growth in the baby and is important for maintaining a regular heart rhythm in both mom and baby. … Continue reading →

Omega 3 fatty acids are a critical nutrient for all pregnant women. There are benefits to both mom and baby from a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids. The baby needs this nutrient for the development of the brain and nervous system as well as the retinas in the eyes. The mother may benefit from fewer complications during the pregnancy and a lower risk of preterm labor. In addition, a diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of post partum depression after the baby is born. The best food sources of omega 3 fatty acids … Continue reading →

It should be clear by now that protein is essential! Babies can’t develop without it. We’ve seen how many sources of protein are produced (or how they can be produced) and how this affects the overall nutritional value of these particular proteins (meat, eggs, and dairy). But these are not the only sources of protein (as any vegan will attest), there are many other foods that are also great sources of protein. Fish, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and vegetables. Fish is an amazingly lean source of protein and most kinds of fish are also an excellent source of essential … Continue reading →

I’ve never been much of a meat eater. I was never a big fan of beans. I stopped drinking milk because it made me congested. I wasn’t getting enough protein. That all changed when I became pregnant. I had read over and over again the importance of getting enough protein while pregnant. The recommendation for pregnant women is 80 -110 grams of protein per day. I discovered two things about protein from my pre-pregnancy research and my first pregnancy: First, not all proteins are created, or rather manufactured, equally. Second, more foods contain protein than I originally thought (so maybe … Continue reading →

Green tea has been getting a lot of attention in recent years for its abundant health benefits. Green tea is helpful in diets intended to reduce cholesterol levels and is said to have benefits for cancer prevention. For this reason, more people than ever are choosing green tea, including women of child bearing age. For this group, green tea may not be beneficial. There is some evidence to suggest that high levels of green tea intake could result in a higher risk of having a baby with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. This information comes from a study … Continue reading →