Now it’s very clear that….
Protein is a very important nutrient during your pregnancy. Protein supplies you with the amino acids that are crucial for the growth and development of your baby, the placenta, uterus, breast tissue, amniotic fluid, and blood volume.
The amino acids that make up protein are the building blocks of your body's cells – and of your baby's body as well-during the second and third trimesters, when your baby is growing the fastest and your breasts and organs are getting bigger to accommodate the needs of your growing baby.Protein is made up of the amino acids that build your baby's adorable face and every cell below it. Your baby's brain, in particular, needs these raw materials to transform itself into the wondrous organ that will help your baby breathe, walk, talk. This has explained in my previous blog as well, but i need to talk more about this. Read it carefully…..
Since you know weight-loss diets are downright dangerous for expectant moms and their babies, you need to appreciate protein during pregnancy on a deeper level — for the brain power behind the beauty.
During pregnancy, you need three servings of protein every day (the equivalent of about 75 grams). Since a developing baby depends on his mother’s diet for all of his nutritional needs, the expectant mother must eat a nourishing diet to support healthy growth and development of her baby.Eating enough protein is essential for healthy development of new cells in the placenta and maternal tissues and encourages healthy blood production.Protein consumption during pregnancy has also been linked to a lower the risk of neonatal death and the occurrence of certain birth defects.
Protein is a structural element of your body and your baby's body. New tissues and organs grow by laying down and combining millions of proteins. Protein is formed by amino acids, 12 of which the body produces naturally and 9 of which, called essential amino acids, must be added to the body through our food. To make sure this process happens properly eating complete proteins is necessary during pregnancy.Protein deficiency has been linked to reduced placental growth and function. Poor protein intake also has a higher risk for impaired brain development.A protein deficient diet during pregnancy can make the expectant mother feel weak or light-headed and make it difficult to manage day-to-day tasks without feeling tired or fatigued. For the developing baby, the effects of a lack of protein in the diet include poor muscle and joint development, poor bone development, muscle or bone deformities, miscarriage, brain damage and a high risk of birth defects.
Remember those 9 essential amino acids that are needed through our healthy diet? Animal proteins have all 9 of these essential amino acids and so are considered complete protein sources. There are three groups of vegetable protein sources: milk,grains, legumes or nuts and seeds (Who are complete veg). And who are not vegetarian- eating animal sources of protein like eggs, , fish, poultry, and meats are all sources of complete proteins. Avoiding high-fat and red meats during pregnancy is always a healthy decision but eggs, fish and poultry are lean options.
When proteins are digested, amino acids are left. The human body needs a number of amino acids to break down food. Amino acids need to be eaten in large enough amounts for optimal health.
Amino acids are found in animal sources such as meats, milk, fish, and eggs, as well as in plant sources such as soy, beans, legumes, nut butters, and some grains (such as wheat germ). You do not need to eat animal products to get all the protein you need in your diet.
Amino acids are classified into three groups:
- Essential
- Nonessential
- Conditional
Essential amino acids cannot be made by the body, and must be supplied by food. They do not need to be eaten at one meal. The balance over the whole day is more important. The nine essential amino acids are:
- Histidine
- Isoleucine
- Leucine
- Lycine
- Methionine
- Phenylalanine
- Threonine
- Tryptophan
- Valine
Nonessential amino acids are made by the body from essential amino acids or in the normal breakdown of proteins. They include:
- Alanine
- Asparagine
- Aspartic acid
- Glutamic acid
For a pregnant vegetarian, consuming complete proteins means paying attention to the protein groups and eating healthy foods from at least two of the three groups each day. Often, healthy meals can be made from two or more groups at a single meal! Protein sources from the grain group include: oats, rice, pasta, and wheat. Healthy sources of protein from the legume group include: beans, peas, lentils, peanuts and soy. The nuts and seeds category includes: sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, walnuts, cashews and almonds.
In my GARBH SANSKAR classes I have check sheets to keep track of protein and other foods throughout the week to make sure they are meeting their minimum needs for health during pregnancy. I suggest doing this for at least one week during pregnancy to make sure your healthy eating habits are really as healthy as you think!
A protein’s nutritional value is measured by the quantity of essential amino acids it provides. Different foods contain different numbers and amounts of amino acids. Generally speaking:
- Animal products (such as chicken, beef or fish) contain all of the essential amino acids.
- Soy products and the seed of a leafy green called Amaranth- also contain all of the essential amino acids. However, plant proteins usually lack at least one amino acid.
People following a strict vegetarian or vegan diet need to choose a variety of protein sources from a combination of plant foods throughout the day to get an adequate mix of amino acids.
Reasons to eat Protein during pregnancy…
- Adequate blood volume expansion helps your body prepare for increased demands from your baby in the last trimester.
- Baby undergoes rapid development and begins to put on more weight and store nutrients for after the birth.
- Baby born at full maturity, rather than pre-maturity
- Baby will be better positioned for birth
- Good strength of labor contractions, shorter labor, and better mental strength
- Better healing of the perineum and uterus after birth
- Less chance of post-partum hemorrhage
When a pregnant woman doesn't get enough protein and salt, her body can't hold the increasing fluid (plasma) volume within the blood vessels, and "leaks" it into the tissues, and interstitial spaces. After this, the kidneys, interpreting the "lack of fluid in the vessels," tell the body to "hold more water" and "make more fluid," and send signals to "raise the blood pressure," as it tries to pump enough blood and nutrients to the baby across the placenta. Doctor sees the rising blood pressure, and becomes concerned and will recommend the woman increase her protein and salt intake. (This usually works). If the blood pressure continues to be elevated, will usually induce, or, if it goes unchecked, the mother may go into pre-term labor or develop pre-eclampsia, affecting her kidneys and liver, and requiring hospitalization and possibly pre-term delivery of her baby.
The best protein supplement you can take, and the cheapest, is protein-rich food. I suggest that you find which protein foods you do like, and then concentrate on including plenty of those in your diet. Some combination foods and snack foods are also hiding some protein that you can count on. Your dairy section should also carry a good selection. Eat plenty of yogurt. Because the bacteria in the yogurt has digested most of the lactose in the milk, you should be able to tolerate this dairy product. It is packed with protein and calcium.
As you learn which foods you like contain protein, adjust your diet to include several servings a day. If you like peanut butter- spread some on your banana. If you enjoy eggs, slice a hard boiled egg onto your dinner salad. For protein adding tricks during breakfast is more useful in pregnancy.
When considering nutrition during pregnancy you should pay attention not only to the amount of protein you eat but to the type of protein in pregnancy as well. Pregnant women need "quality" protein — that is, protein containing large amounts of all the required amino acids. Most animal protein is quality protein, while most plant protein is not. That's why experts recommend that women consume animal protein in pregnancy every day. If you are a vegetarian or a vegan (someone who does not eat any animal products, including dairy), you'll need to eat special combinations of plant proteins, like rice and beans together, for instance, to make sure you get all the amino acids.
However, if you're eating a balanced diet, including the right amount of quality protein in pregnancy, you don't need to worry about putting on kgs. Pregnancy is, after all, a time to gain weight. Eating right is one of the best ways to keep your growing baby healthy and to feel your best, too.
You need plenty of protein when you're pregnant, for your sake as well as your baby's. Learn which foods are packed with protein, why animal sources are best, plus important information for vegetarians. If there's one thing you and your baby can't do without, it's protein. Knowing how important nutrition during pregnancy is, we need to say that protein has several jobs during pregnancy: It helps keep your energy up, and it gives your baby the amino acids which baby needs to grow.
Take care of your unborn baby.
Disclaimer
The sole purpose of these blogs is to provide information about the tradition of ayurveda. This information is not intended for use in the diagnosis, prevention or cure of any disease. If you have any serious, acute or chronic health concern, please consult a trained doctor/health professional who can fully assess your needs and address them effectively. If you are seeking the medical advice of a trained Ayurvedic expert, call us or e mail.
Dr Unnati Chavda
(Promoting pregnancy wellness)
www.ayurvedapanchkarma.in
No comments:
Post a Comment