6 Vital Nutrients That Women Should Intake During Pregnancy – News18

During delivery, pregnant women face many physiological changes as the mother’s body nurtures the growing baby within. Ensuring adequate intake of essential nutrients becomes paramount for both the mother’s well-being and the child’s development to cope with these changes.

Every woman wishes to have a healthy delivery and a safe delivery. To give birth to a healthy baby without any problems, both the mother and the baby in her womb must have a healthy development. For that, mothers should take necessary nutrients regularly during pregnancy.

Here, we explore the vital nutrients crucial for pregnant women.

Folic Acid:

Adequate folic acid intake is essential during the early development of the baby’s neural tube, which forms the brain and spine. Folic acid abundant in green leafy vegetables, beans, and pulses, mitigates neural tube defects, ensuring healthy brain and spinal cord formation. So pregnant women should consume things which are rich in folic acid.

Calcium:

Vital for bone strength, pregnant women require increased calcium intake to support the baby’s bones to grow. Adding almond or oat milk, broccoli, and collard greens to the diet can boost bone growth in children.

Iron:

Iron is one of the most important nutrients during pregnancy and essential for oxygen transportation through red blood cells. Iron intake prevents anaemia during pregnancy. Including beans, greens, and collard greens in the diet ensures adequate iron levels.

Magnesium:

Magnesium plays an important role in the health and well-being of a pregnant woman during childbirth. Magnesium helps maintain a healthy heartbeat and heart function and protects against heart disease. Almonds, pumpkin seeds, cashews, and avocados are rich in magnesium.

Vitamin D:

This special nutrient helps in the absorption of calcium in the body and boosts the immune system of the mother and baby. Vitamin D intake is vital during pregnancy, so include foods which are rich in Vitamin D including breakfast cereals, fish, etc.

Omega-3:

Omega-3 plays an important role in the early development of children and is important for eye and brain development. Omega-3 also helps protect the unborn child from developing asthma and allergies. Studies suggest that children who grow up drinking milk from mothers, who take an omega-3 supplement during birth are more intelligent. So for the health of the mother and the baby, walnuts, chia seeds, flax seeds, and soy products such as tofu, which are rich in omega-3 nutrients, should be included in the diet.

Prioritising these essential nutrients helps in healthy pregnancy and safe delivery and nurturing the well-being of both mother and child.