In each period of pregnancy, unique biological events occur both in the mother's body and in her baby. Adequate nutrition during the second trimester is one of the most important components of the healthy development of the baby in the womb.
The importance of eating the right diet
After the end of the 13th week of intrauterine development of the baby, the second trimester of pregnancy begins. By this stage, many of the baby's internal organs and fetal elements have already formed. Others continue to differentiate and develop. Over the next few weeks, the most important biological changes will occur in the child's body.
This rapid development entails the need for all the nutrients necessary for the growth and development of the baby. It is very important that his mom is consuming enough protein, fat and carbohydrates at this stage. No less important are vitamins and minerals, which should be present in sufficient quantities in the daily menu of a pregnant woman.
One of the most important features of 14-20 weeks of pregnancy is the active development of the musculoskeletal system in the baby. The arms and legs of the child begin to lengthen, their structure and bone density change. For the full formation of the child's skeleton in this period, it is very important that the diet of his mother contains foods containing calcium. It is found in large quantities in fermented milk products.
15-17 weeks is characterized by the continuation of the development of a complex system of nerve cells. By the end of 16 weeks, the baby begins to form the first unconscious reflexes. Also, this period is characterized by the active development of nerve analyzers.
For the full development of the baby's nervous system, healthy fats and Omega 3 are needed. These substances are found in large quantities in sea fish: herring, mackerel, sardines, salmon and others.
It is better to bake or steam fish dishes; a multicooker is also suitable. In this case, the beneficial substances are better preserved. Frying fish in a large amount of oil is not worth it.
Optimal diet
An important rule of the meal schedule is regularity. You cannot skip meals. Regular intake of nutrients is necessary for the proper functioning of the digestive system of the expectant mother.
You should eat at least every 3 hours. You should not overeat. If a woman feels that she is very hungry before the next meal, she can have a small snack, which is not too sweet fruit, a handful of nuts or a glass of fermented milk product of low fat content.
It is also very important for an expectant mother to keep track of portion sizes. Many women, even when composing their daily diet correctly, make mistakes in determining the amount of food on their plate. There is still an opinion that during pregnancy a woman should eat for two, and when carrying twins or twins - even for three. This should not be done. Ultimately, this way of eating will only lead to excess weight. Moreover, weight can increase both for the woman herself and for her babies.
The nutrition of the expectant mother should be moderate. In this case, it is better to make portions approximately equal in volume. Snacking too often is also not worth it.
It often happens that the body "confuses" thirst with hunger. A very simple test can help. If a woman feels severe hunger, then she should first drink a glass of plain water and wait 10-15 minutes. If the feeling of hunger has not disappeared, then in this case, you can eat.
How to eat right?
The nutrition of a pregnant woman in the second trimester should be strictly balanced and correct. This means that when compiling it, it is imperative to include all the essential nutrients. At the same time, correct and healthy foods are included, and harmful ones are not present in the diet.
You should eat properly every day. Small errors in the diet cannot be completely eliminated. This is understandable, since at this time a huge amount of various hormones "rages" in the female body, however a woman should control her impulses to eat forbidden foods and exclude junk food.
An expectant mother always needs to remember that everything that she eats eventually ends up with her baby. Nutrients are supplied through the bloodstream shared with the child. The child's own circulatory and digestive systems will begin to function after his birth.
The second trimester of pregnancy is characterized by the fact that many women have problems with puffiness and weight gain. This is caused not only by errors in nutrition, but also by special hormonal changes. A well-functioning diet and proper diet help to minimize adverse events.
Doctors recommend that expectant mothers must include both animal and plant products in their diet. In this case, the body will receive all the important essential amino acids necessary for the full intrauterine development of the fetus and the healthy course of pregnancy.
Many vegetarian women refuse to add animal products to their diet during pregnancy. In this case, experts only recommend that they carefully monitor their menu. The correct combination of foods will improve the amino acid balance.
Water
An equally important component of proper nutrition in the second trimester of pregnancy is the drinking regimen. It is very important for the woman to drink enough fluids. If the expectant mother does not suffer from severe edema and does not have chronic kidney disease, then she should drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid. If problems with edema are present, then in such a situation, recommendations on the drinking regimen are drawn up individually by the attending physician.
Also, individual recommendations on the amount of fluid consumed are made to all women with cardiovascular insufficiency. If the expectant mother has chronic heart disease, accompanied by severe shortness of breath and the appearance of edema on the legs and before pregnancy, then she should definitely consult with her cardiologist about how much water can be consumed. In some cases, the amount of daily fluid can be reduced to 1 liter.
The most optimal drink for replenishing water in the body is regular spring water. If desired, you can add a little mint or lemon drops to it. Do this based on your own preference.
You can drink berry and fruit fruit drinks, compotes. It is better to prepare such drinks at home. This way you can control the amount of sugar that is added to the drink.
Strongly sweeten fruit drinks or compote is not worth it. A large amount of sugar in the drink will lead to a spike in blood glucose, which is also not beneficial.
Healthy foods
An expectant mother in the second trimester of pregnancy should eat food that is good for her and her baby every day. There are many different products that will benefit not only the woman's body, but also her baby.
Dairy products
They contain a lot of protein and calcium. Fresh fermented milk products also contain beneficial microbes - acidophilic microorganisms and bifidobacteria. They are necessary for the proper functioning of the digestive system, as well as for improving metabolism.
You should choose quality products. When choosing, be sure to pay attention to the expiration dates of the goods. It is very important that they are fresh. The use of stale or spoiled sour milk is fraught with the development of eating disorders, which are extremely dangerous during pregnancy.
Poultry, fish and meat
These protein foods contain a variety of essential amino acids. The main rule when using them is alternation. Eating only one turkey or chicken for a long time is incorrect. It is better to change protein foods every day. So, for lunch, the expectant mother can eat baked fishcake with rice and vegetable salad, and dine with stewed veal with buckwheat.
When composing a diet, try to supplement protein foods with vegetable side dishes. The fiber found in vegetables will help your body digest animal proteins better. Vegetable salads seasoned with low-fat sour cream or high-quality vegetable oil will be an excellent addition to the menu.
Fruit
The fruits contain a lot of different vitamins and minerals. Doctors recommend choosing fruits according to the season. In some cases, the consumption of tropical fruits can provoke the development of allergic reactions. You should not eat overseas fruits during pregnancy; it is better to give preference to the fruits familiar to this region.
For the preparation of fruit drinks and compotes, you can also use frozen fruits. When properly frozen, the fruits retain some of the vitamins, and hence some useful properties. Dried fruits are also suitable for preparing compotes. When choosing them, pay attention to the appearance: spoiled dried fruits can lead to disorders in the gastrointestinal tract.
Always remember to keep in moderation when eating fruit. Excessive consumption of fruit will not benefit, but only harm.
In addition to vitamins and fiber, fruits contain a lot of fructose, a natural sugar. Excessive consumption of sweet fruits can be a trigger for the development of gestational diabetes and obesity. You should also be careful with women who have a tendency to develop allergies.
What should be excluded?
It is very important that the diet of the expectant mother in the second trimester of pregnancy is free of harmful foods. They can not only aggravate a woman's condition, but also harm her baby.
Alcohol
Drinking alcoholic beverages during pregnancy is strictly prohibited. There should not be any excuses or important "reasons" to drink a glass of wine or something stronger! From the moment the expectant mother found out that she was pregnant, she should forget about drinking.
Ethyl alcohol contained in alcoholic beverages has an adverse effect on the developing child's body. It especially strongly affects the nervous apparatus and the actively developing brain of the baby. Such a negative impact is dangerous because the child can develop the most dangerous defects in his development. They appear after the birth of the baby.
Fast food
Doubtful food prepared outside the home, in most cases, does not bring anything useful to the body of the expectant mother and her baby. When preparing fast food, a lot of oil is used, and colors and flavor enhancers can also be added.
These foods contain a lot of salt and spices. They provoke even greater appetite and thirst in a woman, and also lead to the appearance of edema. An alternative to fast food is home-cooked meals. It is better that frying in oil is replaced by roasting in the oven.
Pickled products
When preparing various marinades, a lot of salt and sugar are used, as well as vinegar. All these components increase puffiness, and also adversely affect the functioning of the kidneys and the digestive system. During pregnancy, it is best to eat as fresh and unmarinated food as possible.
For information on what food is the healthiest for pregnant women, see the next video.
