Are you currently pregnant? Are you confused about all the conflicting advice about what you can and can’t do and need some support?
Pregnancy is an exciting, if daunting, time. Your body goes through significant changes to grow and nurture your baby. Your nutrition not only influences your own health, but it also has a significant effect on the short and long-term health of your baby.
We are here to guide you to ensure you have a healthy and happy pregnancy whilst giving your baby the best start in life.
Pregnancy is very demanding on the body, so it is paramount to provide an optimum supply of all nutrients. This will promote healthy foetal development, maternal health, and prevent deficiencies.
Contrary to popular belief, pregnant women do not need to ‘eat for two’. However, they do need to increase their intake of vitamins and minerals to meet the requirements of both mother and baby. The best way to achieve this is by eating a diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruit, complex carbohydrates, good protein sources like eggs, grass-fed and organic meat, and healthy fats, especially from oily fish (e.g. salmon, mackerel, herring and sardines).
Unfortunately, these days, diet alone may not be sufficient to provide you with enough nutrients, so good quality vitamin and mineral supplements, can give you a peace of mind that you’re getting everything you need. Look for a pregnancy multivitamin with a good spread of nutrients, especially folic acid, in the ‘methylfolate’ form, vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D3, choline, and iodine. In addition, a good quality fish oil, or algal oil if you’re vegetarian or vegan, will supply you with an optimum amount of omega-3 fatty acids for baby’s brain and immune development.
Being pregnant is a special time, but it brings a set of challenges too. By adopting a healthy lifestyle and taking pregnancy supplements, you can give yourself the best chance of enjoying the experience, and give your baby the best start in life.
