Pregnancy and Nutrition

There is no better time to focus on nutrition than when you are helping a baby develop, giving them everything they need and sometimes at a cost to you! This is the time to consume bountiful nutrients so that you can give the best to yourself and your baby. There are many types of diets that people will advocate, but there is no question about one thing. We must eat real food and plenty of veggies. Sure we need protein and fat and sure there are many sources but again there is some play here. However getting real food is non-negotiable when pregnant.

​The Weston Price Foundation has an excellent article regarding pregnancy nutrition and the nutrients that are so essential to women. I highly encourage you all to read this article and absorb the information. Here is a quick overview:

• Good maternal nutrition during pregnancy can protect the offspring from diabetes, stroke, heart disease, kidney disease, and memory loss later in life.
  
• Special preconception and pregnancy diets emphasizing foods dense in particular nutrients were universal among the traditional groups that Weston Price studied.
  
• Modern science has shown that fat-soluble vitamins are necessary for growth and development; the omega-3 fatty acid DHA is necessary for brain development; the need for biotin during pregnancy increases; folate boosts growth and decreases the risk of birth defects; choline causes a lifelong increase in memory and attention; and the amino acid glycine is required for growth.
  
• WAPF recommends a dose of high-vitamin cod liver oil per day to yield 20,000 IU of vitamin A, 2,000 IU of vitamin D, and 2 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (about 1 3/4 teaspoon per day).
  
• Grass-fed animal fats supply vitamins E and K2; palm oil, fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, and freshly ground grains are also sources of vitamin E; fermented foods are also sources of vitamin K2. Leafy greens supply vitamin K1.
  
• Biotin can be obtained from liver and egg yolks. Raw egg whites should be strictly avoided and cooked egg whites should be consumed in moderation. Egg yolks can be added to smoothies and ice cream to boost biotin status.
  
• Folate can be obtained from liver, legumes, beets, and greens. Choline can be obtained from grass-fed dairy, egg yolks, liver, meat, cruciferous vegetables, nuts, and legumes. Figure 7 provides examples of how to meet the folate and choline requirements.
  
• Muscle meats and eggs should be liberally matched with the above folate-rich foods and with skin, bones, and bone broths to obtain glycine.

                                                READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE HERE.