Pregnancy: How to eat healthy? National Institute of Health women

A healthy and balanced diet It is very important to ensure proper growth and development of the fetus as well as maintain good health of the mothers; However, a large percentage of pregnant women in Peru do not have it. according to data National Institute of Health (INS) 20.3% pregnant women are suffering from anemia in 2022, i.e. 2 out of every 10 pregnant women have anemia.

“A balanced diet during pregnancy helps prevent complications during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, anemia and congenital malformations. Consuming all nutrients, complying with micronutrient (vitamin) supplementation, and maintaining a healthy weight reduce the chance of developing these complications. “Prefer foods with high biological value proteins, which contain good quality iron, vitamins and fatty acids such as omega-3, which are essential for the formation of organs, bones, tissues and the nervous system of the child.” says Miguel Monteveros, nutritionist and coordinator of the Baltazar and Nicolas Foundation’s CIB Family Support Program.

Likewise, experts give us some recommendations about what proper nutrition should be like during pregnancy:

• Daily protein intake: Protein is essential for the growth and development of the baby. It is found in large quantities in foods such as lean meat, poultry, fish, eggs and legumes.
• Iron intake: During pregnancy, more iron is needed to produce enough blood for the baby and placenta. Foods that contain this nutrient mainly include foods of animal origin such as chicken blood, liver, spleen, which provide good quality iron.
• variety of food: It is very important to have a combination of nutrients from different food groups in your diet. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, low-fat dairy products and healthy fats in your diet.
• Increase Calcium Intake: Calcium contributes to the development of child’s bones and teeth. Low-fat dairy products, such as milk, yogurt and cheese, as well as broccoli and almonds, are foods rich in this mineral.
• Avoid certain foods: You should avoid certain foods that may be risky for you and your baby in some way, such as raw or undercooked meat, raw eggs, and unpasteurized dairy products.

Additionally, Monteveros recommends following a micronutrient supplementation plan prescribed by a health professional during a pregnant woman’s health checkup; This will help meet the needs of important nutrients like folic acid, iron and calcium required at this stage of life.

If you want to know more about this topic and recommendations for a healthy pregnancy and the good development of your baby, you can visit the page www.fundaciónbaltazarynicolas.org/, or you can download the “My First Three” app for free You can download it (via Play Store). , where you will find more information about other topics related to good parenting from the conception stage to the first 3 years of your baby’s life.