Mandatory foods during pregnancy. What should not be eaten by pregnant women: "black list" of products

The first months of pregnancy is one of the most important stages of bearing a child. During this period, it is necessary not only to observe a strictly defined lifestyle, instilling new habits in yourself, but also to eat right. It was at this time that women suffer from such an unpleasant phenomenon as toxicosis. Familiar foods can cause bouts of nausea, and what you didn’t like at all before may seem like an exquisite delicacy. But sometimes you have to overpower yourself, giving up yummy in favor of the products that any pregnant woman needs.

During the first three months from the beginning of pregnancy, the child develops very actively, having transformed into a real man by the 14th week. During this period, the formation of most systems occurs. During the 1st trimester, the child develops a heart that pumps blood, organs form. These processes cause an increased need for a growing baby in vitamins and trace elements.

Everything that the fetus needs for the normal development of its organs and systems is taken from the mother's body. With a lack of vital substances supplied with food, the woman’s body will begin to suffer first of all - she will feel bad, constantly experience weakness, fatigue. The skin will become unhealthy, the hair will fall out, and the teeth will become weak and prone to various diseases.

To a lesser extent, poor nutrition will affect the health of the baby. The lack of microelements and vitamins will lead to disturbances in the development of organs, the occurrence of congenital pathologies, and growth retardation. That is why the diet of a pregnant woman in the early stages should be rich in vitamins and minerals.

General nutrition rules

In order for the child to develop normally, and his health to be strong, it is important to pay attention not so much to the volume of food consumed as to its quality. And the most important rule here is a balanced diet. The daily diet of a pregnant woman should contain foods that are rich in nutrients and biologically active substances, vitamins, and dietary fiber.

There should be a full menu on the table of the expectant mother, including fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and fats. In this case, the number of calories consumed should be something like this:

• 30% of calories are fat. It is better that they come not from meat dishes, but from butter, nuts, and dairy products;
• 15% of calories are proteins. This includes: fish, meat, eggs, dairy products, nuts, peas and other legumes;
• 50% of calories are carbohydrates. For their entry into the body, it is recommended to consume fruits, rice, pasta, potatoes, cereals - for example, oatmeal and buckwheat.

Proper nutrition in early pregnancy will also help fight toxicosis.

To do this, you must adhere to the following rules:

1. You need to eat food every 2-3 hours, while portions should be small.
2. In between meals, you should drink enough liquid - at least one and a half liters a day, preferably still water.
3. For the first time in a day, you need to eat directly without getting out of bed. A cracker, crackers or a glass of kefir can serve as such a “snack”.

Diet

For the first 10-12 weeks, the expectant mother needs the following products:

From drinks, preference should be given to fresh juices from vegetables and fruits, clean still water, fruit drinks and compotes. It is not recommended to drink juices in bags and soda due to the fact that they contain a lot of preservatives and other additives. Drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee) should be excluded or reduced to a minimum.

What vitamins are required in early pregnancy

In order for the fetus to develop fully, the following vitamins and minerals should regularly enter the mother's body:

In the early stages of pregnancy, it is strictly not recommended to eat fast food: hot dogs, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, etc. You will need to give up chips, smoked meats, carbonated drinks, ketchups and other sauces, since all these products adversely affect the body of a developing child.

Video - Top 20 foods you need in the first trimester of pregnancy

Doctors divide the entire pregnancy cycle into trimesters. Each trimester has its own characteristics. The first trimester of pregnancy requires special attention, since it is during this period that the body completely rebuilds the work of all its internal organs. A fertilized egg is implanted in the wall of the uterus and begins active growth, laying all the foundations for the health and normal development of the unborn baby.

Any food poisoning, during pregnancy up to 12 weeks, can provoke a spontaneous miscarriage. Therefore, a woman should carefully monitor the quality of products.

Useful products for pregnant women by trimesters

First trimester

Useful foods for pregnant women in the first trimester are mainly proteins. During this period, there is an active growth of the placenta and uterus, all tissues and internal organs of the child are laid, the volume of circulating blood increases.

Second trimester

During this period, a woman has a constant feeling of hunger, it is very important not to overeat, reduce or better eliminate sweets from your diet. Edema occurs very often in the second trimester of pregnancy. With the help of nutrition, you can slightly reduce puffiness, for this it is important to know which products can help in this matter.

Diuretic products for pregnant women :

• Fresh cucumbers, carrots and spinach.
• Watermelons, melons and zucchini.
• Fresh pumpkin, pumpkin juice and pumpkin seeds.
• Mixture of fresh orange and cranberry juices.
• Lingonberries, blueberries, blackberries.
• Rosehip tea.

third trimester

In most cases, after the 20th week of pregnancy, a woman has a lack of hemoglobin in the blood. You can replenish iron stores and raise hemoglobin levels with the help of proper nutrition.

Products that increase hemoglobin in pregnant women :

• Meat - beef, especially liver, tongue and heart.
• Groats: buckwheat, bean and rye.
• Vegetables: fresh carrots, beets, pumpkins and tomatoes.
• Boiled egg yolk.
• Berries: fresh cranberries, blueberries and lingonberries.
• Dried fruits compote.
• Black chocolate.
• Walnuts.
• Red or black caviar.

In order for the pregnancy to proceed normally, and the fetus in the womb to develop fully, it is necessary to provide a pregnant woman with a varied and balanced diet.

Proper nutrition of a pregnant woman is the key to successful delivery, maintaining the health of the pregnant woman herself and the birth of a healthy baby. But what to eat during pregnancy, the observing doctor will tell you. You should not always listen to the advice of your loved ones, who recommend a diet for their own needs.

Nutrition for a pregnant woman

It is very difficult to regulate the diet of a pregnant woman in the first months of the term. In the first trimester, a woman may experience severe toxicosis, which is why she generally has the right to refuse any food. During this period, even some completely non-aggressive smells are annoying, not to mention dishes.

Over time, when toxicosis recedes and appetite returns, another problem arises - rapid weight gain, which is very difficult to fight. Extra pounds provoke a number of serious problems that accompany a woman after childbirth. It:

• phlebeurysm;
• tendency to constipation;
• haemorrhoids;
• heart failure;
• kidney failure;
• disorders of the pancreas;
• tendency to high blood pressure.

The diet, which the supervising doctor approves, can lead a woman to complete discouragement. Pregnant food is never too tasty so as not to “warm up” the appetite and at the same time saturate the body with useful substances.

From the first trimester, portion sizes are set by the doctor. Now the nutrition of a pregnant woman will vary by weeks of development of the child. There are a number of necessary products that it is desirable to use a pregnant woman constantly. The dominant role is occupied by cottage cheese and iron-containing products.

Healthy food for pregnant women

Before discussing all kinds of dishes for a pregnant woman, one should take into account the general rules for compiling a diet. Plant foods should make up ⅔ of food eaten per day. Such a menu is most important in the last stages of pregnancy, at least two to three weeks before childbirth. Vegetables contain a large amount of prostaglandins, which provide elasticity to the tissues of the birth canal.

Dishes from vegetables have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, eliminating constipation and inhibiting the growth of body fat. Eating vegetable soups and sautés, a pregnant woman will not feel a high load on the stomach and pancreas, especially if the dishes are steamed without using a frying pan.

However, no vegetables can replace meat products for either the mother's body or the unborn baby. Refusing meat during pregnancy is simply a crime. A growing embryo simply needs protein of animal origin. Every day, up to 100 grams of animal proteins should be included in the diet of a pregnant woman. If on some days a woman wants to do without meat, it should be replaced with fish.

Fruit is a separate item. Of course, expectant mothers who had allergic problems even before conception should be extremely careful when choosing fruits in supermarkets. Most exotic fruits are pre-treated with liquefied gas or acceptable herbicides to make them marketable for a longer period.

Exotic fruits entering the local market travel a long way from the southern countries. Sometimes it takes from several days to several weeks for delivery. Usually, fruits and vegetables from abroad are transported by sea, as this is the cheapest type of delivery. It is not recommended to buy fruits and vegetables sold in vacuum packaging for pregnant women.

It should also be remembered that freshly prepared food is much tastier and healthier than heated and prepared in advance. Therefore, it is better to prepare food for pregnant women in small portions per meal. Food left overnight in the refrigerator should not be covered with plastic bags and kept under nylon lids for a long time. Pathogenic microflora can multiply in it, invisible to the human eye, but carrying a high degree of danger to health.

Dry food and "on the go" should be excluded. You can not overeat, as well as go hungry for a long time. The feeling of thirst must be quenched as it arises. Equally important is what the pregnant woman will drink and in what volumes. Increased fluid intake will lead to edema, which will cause shortness of breath, blockage of the veins of the lower extremities, and interfere with normal blood circulation. Drink should be at room temperature. Carbonated, tonic and alcoholic drinks are not recommended. Food should be consumed slowly, in a relaxed atmosphere, chewing thoroughly. Rushed air can cause prolonged belching, colic, and general discomfort.

What products are needed

Useful cooking for a pregnant woman consists of dishes prepared as follows:

• Cooking food in a double boiler or baking in the oven. This is the most useful method of heat treatment of products. You can bake any food, from vegetables to meat and fish. To do this, use foil, polypropylene packaging or parchment paper. So you can cook dietary meat, retaining all the useful substances in it.
• Food cooked extinguishing method. This option involves prolonged stewing of food in a sealed container with a small addition of water or vegetable oil. Meat, vegetables and mixed dishes are very tasty and nutritious.
• Food cooked frying method. In order to maximize the preservation of useful substances in foods that have been fried in a pan, it is necessary to fry vegetables or meat in small pieces on a hot surface without adding fat. A wok pan is ideal for such dishes, it has thin walls that heat evenly from the bottom to the top surfaces. The burner flame should cover the entire surface of the pan, so the burner should be wide.
• Food cooked in nature on open fire. This very first method of cooking in human society is gaining popularity even now. For a future mother, it is advisable to select lean pieces of meat or fish. In small pieces, you can fry pumpkin, tomatoes, zucchini, eggplant, potatoes. Before eating, remove the crust formed during frying.

From plant foods, pregnant women can do everything, individually excluding what can cause allergic reactions. You need to be careful when eating citrus fruits, tomatoes, strawberries, and some exotic fruits. It is better to fill salads with unrefined vegetable oil, trying not to abuse salt and hot spices. Salt and spices cause an increased feeling of thirst, provoking swelling and the accumulation of excess weight.

The benefits of beef tongue for pregnant women

Beef tongue belongs to dietary products due to the low content of connective tissue cells. Beef tongue dishes are easily digested without provoking putrefactive processes in the digestive system, which is typical for other types of meat products.

• takes part in the synthesis of hormones and amino acids;
• improves the functioning of the nervous system;
• eliminates anemia;
• stabilizes fat and carbohydrate metabolism;
• reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood;
• improves the functions of the skin.

In dishes prepared from beef tongue, a high content of protein and trace elements, which contribute to the improvement of the pancreas. Nutritionists believe that this product is able to replenish about half of the daily requirement of microelements vital for the body of an adult.

Doctors observing pregnant women strongly recommend including beef tongue dishes in the diet, which will prevent the development of anemia, gastric ulcers and saturate the body of the mother and the unborn baby with useful substances.

Jelly during pregnancy

The gelatin contained in the jelly is not able to affect blood clotting. Therefore, pregnant women can eat dishes in which gelatin is present in full. For the preparation of edible gelatin, an extract of Pacific seaweed agar-agar or cartilage and tendons of animal origin is used. The cartilage tissues of animals are saturated with natural collagen, which will reliably ensure the health of the cartilage of the pregnant woman and the developing embryo.

Gelatin is rich in glycine. It is an essential amino acid for the body. It is thanks to her that a person feels a surge of energy and mental activity. The composition of gelatin contains the following substances that affect the functioning of the digestive system and the cardiac system:

• alanine;
• dicarboxylic acids;
• peptides;
• active proteins.

Some fruits are not advised to be taken raw during pregnancy, as they can cause belching, stool disorders and heartburn. By preparing delicious jelly with the addition of juices or fruit drinks, you can perfectly replenish the supply of trace elements and vitamins in the body of a pregnant woman, combining the useful with the pleasant.

Doctors have to recommend dishes with the addition of gelatin to pregnant women with an indispensable consideration of the work of the intestines of their patients, since it has a slight astringent effect.

Brewer's yeast for pregnant women

Brewer's yeast has a beneficial effect on the body. The product is produced by pharmacological companies in the form of tablets, capsules and suspensions. This is a real storehouse of trace elements and vitamins, which is an excellent dietary supplement.

Yeasts are unicellular fungal organisms that remain alive under certain conditions. They are obtained in the process of cultivating the following composition: malt, hop cones and beer wort. After combining the components, the fermentation phase begins, followed by fermentation.

Women during the gestation period often experience health problems caused by a lack of nutrients in the body:

• increased fatigue;
• fragility of the nail plates;
• hair loss on the head;
• decreased immune functions;
• the appearance of skin rashes.

Brewer's yeast is prescribed for pregnant women to maintain the body in such a difficult period. The supplement does not contain substances dangerous for the embryo and the mother's body, so experts safely prescribe it to women from the early stages of conception.

Brewer's yeast is distinguished by the following content:

• Vitamins B, P and D. Contribute to the restoration of the functions of the nervous system, skin, nail plates, hair follicles.
• Phosphorus. Renews bone tissue and stabilizes the functioning of the urinary system.
• Copper. It takes an active part in the breakdown of fats and carbohydrates, and also stimulates the production of insulin.
• Potassium. Regulates the acid-base balance in the body and improves the transmission of nerve impulses.
• Calcium. Forms structural material at the cellular level, creating healthy rudiments of teeth in the embryo and bone.
• Zinc. Provides regeneration of cells of the cerebral cortex.
• Magnesium. Stimulates metabolic processes in the body, reduces tremor, stabilizing the functions of the nervous system.
• Silicon. Contributes to the normal absorption of calcium by the body.
• Sodium. Supports electrolytic balance in the body of a woman and an embryo.
• Sulfur. Improves the structure of the skin, hair and nail plates.
• Selenium. Neutralizes dangerous decay products, increases the protective functions of the body.

However, with all the beneficial properties of brewer's yeast, gynecologists approach their appointment with caution. Active enzymes can provoke dysbiosis of the mucous membranes of the genital tract and disruption of the organs of the urinary system. Therefore, the doctor carefully examines the history of the pregnant woman and individual characteristics.

Essential trace elements

Most of the necessary trace elements the body receives from food. These are iodine, calcium, iron, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, zinc. In cases where the lack of useful substances involved in metabolic processes, protein synthesis, improving blood circulation and digestion makes itself felt, you should take the necessary trace elements in addition. Seafood, vegetables and fruits are especially rich in trace elements.

During pregnancy, the female body often lacks iron. Iron deficiency can lead to irreversible processes in the development of the embryo. A woman should monitor the first symptoms of iron deficiency and compensate for it. So, the most common symptoms of iron deficiency are as follows:

• anemia;
• increased fatigue;
• drowsiness;
• dizziness;
• muscle weakness;
• frequent sudden heartbeats;
• tendency to irritability;
• depression;
• dry skin;
• fragility of the nail plates;
• restless legs syndrome;
• dyspnea;
• loss of appetite;
• inflammation or pain in the tongue and lips.

In most cases, you can compensate for iron deficiency by adjusting your diet. Table #1 lists foods high in iron.

How to use vitamins correctly

A pregnant woman should receive the whole complex of vitamins necessary for the body. From berries you can buy cranberries, raspberries, currants, blueberries. All fruits contain vitamin C, which is perfectly preserved for a long time in fruit drinks and berries grated with sugar.

Fruits can also be consumed raw, if the pregnant woman does not suffer from increased secretion of gastric juice and allergic reactions to some of them. When a woman feels that raw fruits cause increased irritation of the gastric mucosa, then jelly and fruit compotes will be ideal. Apples can be baked in the oven or in a double boiler; juicy fruits can be used to prepare fillings for cottage cheese dishes.

In addition to fruits, vitamins are found in meat and dairy products, vegetables, offal. The most complete list of essential vitamins and foods containing them is given in Table 2.

Do's and Don'ts

Each organism is individual. It is possible that the diet of one pregnant woman is categorically not suitable for another. The characteristics of each organism will show what it is desirable to refuse during the period of bearing a child, and what to focus on. However, nutritionists have developed special tables for pregnant women, the advice of which should be followed. Table No. 3 shows the most commonly used foods and dishes from them in everyday life, as well as the benefits and possible harm for pregnant women.

Nutrition of a pregnant woman by month

In each trimester, it is necessary to focus on foods high in folic acid, this contributes to the normal development of the fetus. It is not advisable to limit yourself in water consumption. However, drinking too much liquid during the day, and especially at night, is not worth it. Water should be purified, without dyes and artificial flavors, non-carbonated. It is not recommended to drink water at the time of a meal or immediately after, it is better to do this before a meal and a couple of hours after a meal.

In the first trimester, you can plan your daily food intake as shown in table No. 4. Depending on whether there are allergic reactions to various fruits and vegetables, each woman should regulate their consumption on her own or on the advice of an observing doctor.

Conclusion

It is important for every pregnant woman to know which foods should be limited, and which should be completely abandoned for a while during pregnancy. Everything that a woman does during this period instantly affects the health of the unborn baby. The most vulnerable is the woman herself and the fetus during the first trimester. An increased salt content can increase toxicosis, cause increased swelling, which is why spicy dishes seasoned with a lot of spices and canned vegetables should be excluded from the diet, replacing them with fresh ones.

Fried food is undesirable not only during pregnancy, but also in everyday life. As soon as the pregnant woman reduces the consumption of fried foods, one can immediately notice a decrease in the strong feeling of thirst and improved digestion. Fried provokes constipation, impaired liver function. Today, there are many ways to cook "steamed". At the same time, eating pregnant food from the microwave should be avoided. Although the products are not covered with a crust, as when fried, they can cause great harm to the body of the mother and child.

Not everyone can completely eliminate sweets from their diet. However, it should be understood that “fast carbohydrates” do not bring any particular benefit to anyone, giving the body only extra pounds.

Carbonated sweet drinks have a high content of various dyes, preservatives, flavors, flavor substitutes. There is no mention of alcohol at all. It can only increase toxicosis, irritating the mucous membranes of all organs of the digestive tract, and also bring irreparable harm to the embryo.

Bibliography

1. Sobolev A.N. "Nutrition of a breastfeeding woman", 2009
2. Yurkov A.S. "Daily intake of vitamins by pregnant women", 2010.
3. Ivanskikh A.V. "Peculiarities of nutrition of pregnant women, women in labor and nursing mothers", 2009

Useful products for pregnant women mainly consist of food that contains a large amount of biological and nutritional active substances, vitamins, micro-, macroelements. Do not forget that when food is heated, the total amount of vitamin C, folic acid, B vitamins decreases by about 60% and protein is denatured. If the temperature rises above 55 degrees Celsius, then, regardless of the method and duration of treatment, the hydrolase enzyme is completely destroyed - it is he who takes an active part in the digestion of food in the digestive tract, and therefore the product becomes useless, and additional energy must be spent on its processing for processing . Therefore, you should try to eat as little as possible of such foods as pies, cereals and fried meat, otherwise the digestive tract becomes clogged with the remnants of undigested products.

The following list contains the most essential foods to eat during pregnancy:

• fresh vegetables
• berries, fruits
• fresh juices

Mostly in them and even in freshly frozen berries, all useful nutrients are preserved.

But the most useful product during pregnancy are sprouted grains, and all dishes associated with them.

During the germination of grain, all the substances necessary during this period are activated in it. Therefore, this food is a supplier of all the required vitamins, macro- and microelements during pregnancy.

Dairy products

• Cottage cheese tops this list, but it must be eaten either calcined or fat-free. It contains approximately 17 percent protein, which is much more than meat. But besides this, it contains all the most useful substances for the fetus.
• Sour-milk products must be present without fail in the diet during pregnancy. If they are eaten regularly, they greatly contribute not only to increasing immunity, but also to normalizing the activity of the intestinal microflora, and improve stool.
• Yogurt or kefir must be prepared independently at home. During pregnancy, it is useful to use natural sour-milk cocktails, which consist of kefir or yogurt with freshly squeezed fruit or berry juice. This product is an excellent substitute for store-bought yoghurts, but without the content of various preservatives. If you are not able to refuse such yogurt, then you need to choose something with a short shelf life.
• Ryazhenka during pregnancy should be drunk not very fatty - with about 2.5% fat content. Buttermilk whey contains a high amount of various amino acids, which are excellent for replenishing protein deficiency during pregnancy.
• Fermented milk products are incredibly useful, which are enriched with artificially grown microflora, namely bifidus and lactobacilli.

The list of healthy foods during pregnancy also includes fish, which is one of the most important foods during this period, it contains all the complete proteins with a fully balanced composition of amino acids. It is much easier to digest than meat. If, during pregnancy, the enzymatic activity of the gastrointestinal tract is reduced, then in this case it is more useful to use all low-fat varieties of fish. Sea fish contains a huge amount of various mineral compounds, macro- and microelements.

But extractive substances in fish products work more actively than in meat products. That is why boiled fish should not be eaten by pregnant women with various diseases of the pancreas, stomach and duodenum and liver.

Various seafood (scallop, crabs, squid, mussels, shrimp, seaweed and others) bring undeniable benefits during pregnancy. They contain a small amount of fat, but they are a full-fledged source of proteins, and in terms of the composition of microelements they are significantly superior to the meat of most animals. The meat of shrimp, crabs or squid is enriched with hematopoietic substances, kelp is useful for pregnant girls who are prone to obesity. But in acute diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, it is not advisable to eat it. Fish oil is the most useful product and not only for pregnant women, but for all people, including children. It contains all the minerals, macro- and microelements necessary for growth and development.

Meat or meat products are useful if their total amount does not exceed one hundred grams per day, but it is advisable to give preference to light and low-fat varieties of yas.

Every day you need to eat about twenty grams of butter, about fifty grams of cream or sour cream and about twenty-five grams of unrefined vegetable oils. When fats are added to food, the intake of fat-soluble substances in the body increases, taste improves and calorie content increases. Vegetable oils contain substances that perfectly profile miscarriage. And animal fats (beef, pork or mutton) do not need to be consumed during this period.

Pure drinking water. At least two liters of water should be consumed per day, not counting tea, juices and compotes.

Products for pregnant women are needed, which have in their composition complex carbohydrate substances and fiber of plant origin. They are rich in the following products:

• oatmeal or buckwheat porridge;
• bread made from wholemeal flour;
• all fruits and vegetables.

Starting from the second trimester of pregnancy, you need to eat wheat or rye salt-free bread, buns with a low acid content, or with seaweed. Regular consumption of these products will help to improve the gastrointestinal tract.

If there are no problems with gastrointestinal diseases, and pregnancy takes place in the summer-autumn period, then in this case forest mushrooms are quite useful. In terms of their nutritional value and the content of useful micro- and macroelements, mushrooms are similar to meat products, and the content of protein elements in mushrooms is higher than in vegetables.

One day maternity food set

• meat products - one hundred grams;
• fish products - one hundred grams;
• low-fat cottage cheese - one hundred and seventy grams;
• sour cream - thirty grams;
• milk - two hundred and fifty grams;
• kefir - two hundred grams;
• butter - twenty-five grams;
• vegetable unrefined oil - twenty-five grams;
• sugar - forty grams;
• rye and wheat bread - one hundred grams each;
• flour confectionery - one hundred grams;
• pasta or cereals - sixty grams;
• potatoes - two hundred grams;
• beets - one hundred grams;
• cabbage - one hundred grams;
• carrots - one hundred grams;
• various vegetables - two hundred grams;
• berries, fruits or freshly squeezed juice - two hundred grams;
• greens - at least thirty grams, except for parsley - eating it in large quantities can provoke a miscarriage.

The following table shows which foods are most useful during pregnancy, the content of vitamins per 200 grams or 1 pc:

With proper nutrition, there will be no additional problems during this difficult period for all girls.

The diet of the expectant mother greatly affects the rate of metabolic processes in her body and the absorption of nutrients necessary for the development of the baby. The supply of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and useful trace elements to the fetus, its uniform growth and development, as well as weight gain, the work of the kidneys, heart and blood vessels of the woman herself depend on the intensity of metabolism.

On the one hand, there are many foods that pregnant women should not eat. On the other hand, some expectant mothers are on a strict diet.

You should not go to extremes, you just need to figure out how malnutrition during pregnancy can actually harm.

Why is proper nutrition so important during pregnancy?

Many future parents imagine the “harmfulness” of a particular food product literally: if a pregnant woman eats something, it will get to the fetus and harm it. However, this is not the case: in reality, the situation with "forbidden" products is much more complicated. There is no direct digestive tube between the body of mother and baby. The food eaten by a pregnant woman is broken down in her digestive tract into the main products necessary for the normal functioning of the body and the development of the fetus - proteins, fats and carbohydrates. These substances are essential for energy metabolism. Through the intestinal wall, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and delivered through the blood vessels to the baby.

From most of the harmful components of modern food - food additives, flavor enhancers, preservatives, dyes, flavors - the baby is protected by the placental barrier (a unique double microfilter from the walls of the capillaries of the uterus and placenta). If the placenta does its job well, then the molecules of harmful substances literally do not pass through “customs control” and do not enter the fetal circulation.

Among those foods that we traditionally eat, there are none that could directly affect the health of the fetus. There is no such food, drink, fruit or vegetable, nut, berry, etc., which is usually useful, but becomes harmful during pregnancy. However, this does not mean at all that the expectant mother can safely eat whatever she wants without fear for the health of the unborn baby. Pregnancy is an additional burden on a woman's body, and a very significant one. All her organs and systems work in “wartime mode”, and sometimes in the most literal sense: the growing uterus puts pressure on neighboring organs, including the stomach and pancreas, liver and gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, bladder and a large number of large blood vessels. With this mode of operation, any error in nutrition, which in normal times would manifest itself as a slight malaise or would go unnoticed at all, can seriously affect the metabolism and worsen the well-being of the expectant mother.

No food, in fact, can directly harm the baby. However, the use of harmful products always adversely affects the health of the expectant mother herself, on which the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus depend. Thus, reviewing your diet during pregnancy is not an empty reinsurance, and you need to take it reasonably and with all seriousness.

What not to eat pregnant: "black list" of toxic foods

Of course, the expectant mother should make a “forbidden list” for herself, which will include all products that are obviously dangerous to health. Pregnant women should not eat chips, chemical sweet drinks, foods with flavors and artificial colors, canned food.

They contain harmful substances that impede digestion, the functioning of the liver and kidneys, and are toxic to the body as a whole. During pregnancy, these dubious delicacies fall under a strict ban: a woman’s body experiences a double load, and improper nutrition during this period can lead to serious health problems much faster, which will immediately affect the condition of the fetus.

The most common consequences of eating harmful foods during pregnancy include cholelithiasis. These diseases, accompanied by severe pain and a significant deterioration in the well-being of the expectant mother, often require urgent surgical intervention, which significantly increases the risk of abortion.

In addition, during the period of expectation of the baby, you should not use coffee and alcohol- these products can provoke an increase in blood pressure, uterine hypertonicity and the risk of placental abruption. In addition, the half-life products of alcohol circulating in the blood of a pregnant woman are toxic to the fetus.

Nutrition during pregnancy: how to avoid excess weight?

In addition to the “forbidden list”, there are other products that it is desirable to significantly limit for various reasons. So it is better to reduce the consumption of bread, pasta and all kinds of pastries, confectionery, as well as meat and meat products with a high fat content (lard, bacon, fatty sausages), as they contribute to excessive weight gain.

They literally harm the health of mother and baby, sometimes jeopardizing the very fact of pregnancy. Being overweight places an increased strain on the cardiovascular system.

Against the background of a pathological weight gain in a pregnant woman, pressure often rises, the tone of the uterus increases, and placental blood flow decreases. As a result of such changes, the fetus experiences a lack of nutrition and oxygen - fetoplacental insufficiency develops, often leading to (oxygen starvation) of the fetus.

Pregnant women with a significant weight gain (15 kg or more) are at risk for the development of late toxicosis, or preeclampsia, characterized by the appearance of edema, increased pressure and loss of protein in the urine. Without timely treatment, this complication can lead to premature placental abruption, the development of eclampsia (a convulsive syndrome against the background of an uncontrolled rise in blood pressure), and uterine bleeding.

Unfortunately, these most dangerous complications, which endanger the life of mother and child, in the vast majority of cases (82%!) develop in pregnant women with pathologically overweight. Therefore, the expectant mother needs to monitor a uniform weight gain and limit pleasant "excesses" in her diet.

Foods that interfere with the digestion of pregnant women

During pregnancy, it is recommended to significantly limit the use of smoked meats, spicy, fried foods, as well as legumes, corn and highly carbonated drinks. The reason why the listed dishes fall out of favor is simple: during pregnancy, due to the pressure of the growing uterus, the digestion process is significantly hampered, so foods that are difficult to digest cause the expectant mother special discomfort.

An abundance of spicy and fried foods can cause hepatic colic and vomiting even in a perfectly healthy expectant mother, and legumes and soda can cause prolonged flatulence (bloating), which gives a pregnant woman a lot of discomfort and often becomes an indirect cause of increased uterine tone.

Avoid allergens during pregnancy

Expectant mother should be careful to use "allergenic" products - citrus fruits, exotic fruits and dishes.

During pregnancy, a first-time allergic reaction to foods that a woman ate before pregnancy without any consequences is often detected. Allergy for the future mother is dangerous, because it is a predisposing factor in the development of early and late toxicosis of pregnancy - complications that sometimes cause miscarriage. Therefore, you should not lean on “recognized” allergens.

Many people think that if the expectant mother eats allergenic foods during pregnancy, then. This is the most common misconception about the nutrition of a pregnant woman. But it is important to understand that there are no foods that directly affect the health of the fetus. Allergy is laid down genetically at the time of fertilization or is acquired already during life under the influence of external adverse factors (for example, poor ecology or harmful production). However, it is in the embryonic period (during fetal development) that a person is reliably protected from the influence of adverse factors with the help of the placental barrier. Thus, the development of allergies in a child is in no way connected with the use of allergenic foods by the mother during pregnancy. You should refuse only those products that provoke allergies in the pregnant woman herself.