Maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation
The initial 1000 days in human life creates a critical window of opportunity for effective and efficient nutrition interventions. Nutrition dense food that container nutritional components such as: all the essential amino acids, soluble and insoluble fibres, high level of vitamins and minerals, essential fatty acids, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation components are important for the growing futes. Nutrition dense foods support healthy cell division and mental development of the child.
Moreover, nutrition dense foods will all essential dietary components are important for maternal health. For example food rich in essential fatty acids is known to negatively associated with postpartum depression at six months and mental illness one year after delivery.
Nutrition during the first 1000 days that encompass pregnancy and breastfeeding plays a decisive role in maternal and child health. During this period most of the physical and mental child development takes place..
Pregnant women are recommended to eat at least three meals and two snacks per day. In a KAP study conducted by the MoMR, it is revealed that 63% of care providers are in favor of eating three snacks per day and one-fourth think a pregnant woman should eat two snacks per day. This number was half (50.7%) of the care providers thought that they should eat 3 meals per day during lactation and 45% of them said that four meals per day should be taken. The survey revealed that four out of ten (39.8%) care providers were in favor of eating 2 snacks per day during lactation. Good nutrition during pregnancy is good for the mother and the baby. A pregnant and lactating mother should eat diverse food and should include fish in the diet.
3-5 di milk, sour milk
Eat whole grain and protein enriched bread
Use iodised salt
Eat plenty fruits, root fruits, wild fruits baries and vegetables
Take food rich in Iron and folic acid (if the diet can not provide enough folic acid take supplementary folic acid tablets until week 12.
Eat fish products and expose yourself to plenty of sunshine to get Vitamin D
If you are avoiding food staff consult a nutritionist