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The Pregnancy Page

          Pregnancy Diet Recommendations and Other things...

                                                                                     EATING FOR TWO

Some women suffer from constipation and hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Taking 25 milligrams of vitamin B6 at each meal for several days may help clear up hemorrhoids. Here are some high-fiber foods that may also help to alleviate these conditions:

3 dried figs:    10 grams fiber
1 cup baked beans:    8 grams fiber
1 baked yam:    7 grams fiber
1 cup kidney beans:    7 grams fiber
1 cup raisin bran:    5 grams fiber
3 cup popcorn:    3 grams fiber
1 cup brown rice:    3 grams fiber

Much of the weight gained during pregnancy goes to your baby & pregnancy support

Baby:    7.5 to 8.5 pounds  (or more)
Amniotic fluid:    1 to 2 pounds
Placenta:    1 to 2 pounds
Increase of blood and fluid volume:    4 to 8 pounds
Uterine muscles:    2 to 3 pounds
Breasts:    2 to 3 pounds
Fat deposits around internal organs:    2 to 10 pounds

Your baby needs a great deal of calcium throughout the pregnancy. If you don't get enough, your baby will take it from your body, which may ultimately weaken your bones and teeth. To prevent these problems, plan on doubling your calcium intake. A quart of milk per day or other calcium-rich foods will meet that goal. Other sources of calcium that help you meet the daily requirement include:
1 cup cow's milk or soy milk: 300 mg.
              (Some experts say the calcium in soy milk is better absorbed)
1 cup non-fat yogurt:    452 mg
1 ounce parmesan cheese:    390 mg
1 cup collards:    300 mg
1 cup broccoli:    135 mg.
1/2 cup cottage cheese:   114 mg.
Tofu (100 grams firm tofu)    205 mg.

You may have heard that spinach and Swiss chard are high in calcium, however, they contain oxalic acid, which can reduce the body's absorption of calcium. Eat them in moderation.

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