Quality outweighs quantity. Before and during pregnancy, it’s crucial to pay attention to the foods you consume to ensure that you provide your body and your baby with high-quality nutrients. We’re talking about creating a human being within you! The nutrients you ingest are like the building blocks that construct their immune system and provide the tools for their lifelong development. So let your diet be their superpower.
Contrary to myths, you don’t need to juggle calories during pregnancy. In the first trimester, it’s not about the quantity of food, but rather the quality. According to experts from the Harvard Department of Health, your diet should be filled with fruits and vegetables, followed by whole grains and cereals. Dairy, proteins, and fats are also on the menu, but in moderation, just like in a regular diet. Remember to adjust your intake of fats and sugars and aim to obtain them from healthy sources like avocado and nuts.
But don’t worry, you don’t need to count every calorie! Starting from the second trimester, you only need to add 300 additional calories to your day. That’s like a glass of milk, two slices of bread, or a handful of extra almonds. Nothing too complicated! However, as you reach the third trimester, your appetite will increase because your little one will be growing rapidly, and your body will need to readjust and balance your needs and your baby’s.
Remember, mealtime is a moment of enjoyment and nourishment.