Although I am a fan of exercising during pregnancy, it's not the only thing you need to do to ensure a healthy pregnancy.
Ever heard of the term 'you are what you eat?' You have no idea how true that statement is.Food makes you who you are. Ever wonder why you feel sluggish and awful after a greasy meal? And then once you clean up your eating habits, you seem to have a surge of energy? This is because food gets metabolized and absorbed to create energy, build muscle and bone. So what happens during pregnancy?During the first few months when we are feeling awful is when the baby is doing most of its forming - arms, legs, toenails and so on. Your body is working so hard to grow a person, you tend to take the brunt of it by feeling nauseated and tired. And because of all this, there is a tendency to not eat perfectly as some women are lucky to keep anything down. But once the second trimester hits and you start feeling like yourself again, it's time to pay attention.If we are responsible for growing a person, why not grow the best person the planet had ever seen? Your eating requirements almost double in a lot of aspects, but that does not mean you are eating for two.Eating for pregnancy only requires an additional 300 calories per day or about a piece of toast and fruit.It's the nutrient density that must be improved, ensuring that baby growing inside of you is as strong, healthy and smart as possible.For example, protein requirements increase. Protein is needed for muscle growth, tissue generation and cellular development, while helping moms stay satiated longer and avoiding the need to eat every hour. Omega 3s are also important during pregnancy. These are needed for the development of the baby's brain and should continue to be taken after birth so baby receives it within the breast milk.As for vitamins and minerals, pregnant women need 30 mg of iron, 15 mg of zinc, 1,200 mg of calcium, 400 micrograms of folic acid and 1,000 to 2,000 units of vitamin D. Remember everything you eat crosses the placenta and the baby gets a taste of it. If eating burgers and fries made you strong, I would be promoting this diet, but that's not the case.When you look around and see fit people walking around, know it's not just exercise, a large part of it is diet - you are what you eat.~ Samantha Montpetit-Huynh is the mother of two girls residing in the Danforth area. She is a certified personal trainer and holds certifications in pre- and post-natal fitness, nutrition and wellness and resist-a-ball. She offers in-home private and semi-private training and gives workshops on the subject. You can reach her at www.coreexpectations.com or by calling 647-897-5220.