How To Eat Right In Preparation For Pregnancy

It is every woman’s dream to safely conceive and deliver a healthy baby. Living a healthy lifestyle is the best thing any woman can do when preparing for pregnancy.

Eating well is a good way to prepare the body for pregnancy. The body changes so much during pregnancy and many important developments take place in the first month of pregnancy. By having a healthy diet that is rich in certain nutrients and low in toxins, a woman may be able to reduce the risk of birth defects and complications. Like the common adage, food they is life. So some certain food sources have to be put in special consideration while some have to be avoided for conception to take place.
Foods which have low pesticide levels that are recommended for women preparing for pregnancy include mango, cabbage, tomato, sweet potato avocado, onions, pineapples, sweet corn, asparagus, kiwi, eggplant, water melon, papaya and brocolli.

And also to avoid food produce having pesticides such as apples, peaches, sweet bell peppers, nectarines, cherries, strawberries, celery, carrots, imported grapes and lettuce which are mostly contaminated. If you really feel like eating one of the foods listed above, it is better you go for organic ones .Another very important thing women preparing for pregnancy should eat is folic acid. This can be found from citrus fruits, peas, dried beans, brocolli and spinach. Folic acid prevents babies from having neurological defects for example spinal bifida when they are developing. Too much of something is dangerous. Excess intake of folic acid has its risks. It is advisable to seek advice from your doctor about the amount you required.

Reducing intake of animal fats is also recommended for women preparing for pregnancy. Animal fats have high concentrations of organo-chlorine chemicals for example DDT and dioxin, antibiotics and synthetic hormones. When women preparing for pregnancy take animal products, these chemicals will build up in their fat. They will then stay there for a long period causing damage quietly. When it is a must they consume any animal products, it is advisable for them to go for the low fat ones. Women preparing for pregnancy are supposed to receive the unsaturated fats their bodies require from plant sources such as flax seeds, avocados and walnuts. These women should also eat more vegetables and avoid eating a lot of meat.
Women preparing for pregnancy should also reduce how they consume caffeine and alcohol. To add to these, they should also stop smoking if in any case they are smokers. Women who smoke or who get exposure to secondhand smoke during pregnancy have a higher probability of delivering small babies who are underweight Caffeine and alcohol degrade the health of pregnant women and may have negative impact on a fetus.

Safe seafood is also good for these women. When we eat seafood, we get exposed to a potent neurotoxin by the name methylmercury. Fish are sometimes contaminated with carcinogens for example PCB’s. Still, fish are very important sources of good fats for example omega three fatty acids. Sea foods should be taken in moderation by these women and they should choose the types that are less contaminated for example shrimp, salmon, clams ,mackerel, herring just to mention but a few.
Women preparing for pregnancy should also avoid sports drinks, sodas, juices, energy boosters and other beverages which are bottled since they contain a lot of colors, artificial flavours and sweeteners. Instead of having such drinks, these women should take a lot of water.