Nutrition for pregnant women in the first 3 months

Updated on: September 16, 2023 05:38:45

DTO - The first 3 months of pregnancy are extremely important for every pregnant woman, this time determines almost all aspects of the mother's health and the development of the fetus. This is the stage when the mother's body has many changes, resistance decreases, increasing the risk of infection.

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To ensure good health for yourself and your baby, pregnant women should follow a healthy diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, low-fat and high-fiber proteins, and adequate nutrition; pay attention to eating enough calories (about 300 calories more than usual); drink enough water, and take vitamin supplements as directed by your doctor. Exercise regularly and appropriately; keep your spirit happy and comfortable.

Nutritious food for pregnant women in the first 3 months of pregnancy

- Chicken porridge: chicken contains a large amount of protein, iron, zinc and trace elements that are good for mother and baby. Pregnant mothers can cook chicken porridge with mushrooms, carrots... to increase appetite and make it easier to eat.

- Fish porridge: salmon porridge, carp porridge... provide omega 3, a large amount of protein for the body.

- Stir-fried broccoli is a food that supplements the body with vitamins A, B, C, D, calcium, iron, folate, and fiber. Broccoli can be stir-fried with pork or beef.

- Fruit smoothies: pregnant women in the first 3 months need to supplement with fruit smoothies such as: mango, banana, avocado, strawberry, orange, apple juice. Because fruit smoothies are rich in vitamin C, D, iron... good for the health of mother and baby.

However, there are also foods that pregnant women should avoid, especially during the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Seafood containing mercury: mercury is a metal that can slow children's development, cause brain damage and affect children's hearing and vision, so avoid eating fish such as swordfish, bigeye tuna, king mackerel,...

Raw or undercooked food: carries the risk of contamination with bacteria that cause food poisoning such as toxoplasmosis, Salmonella or listeria,... causing pregnant mothers to become dehydrated due to diarrhea or vomiting, affecting the newborn baby.

Unpasteurized milk and dairy products such as cheese can contain bacteria such as listeria, which can cause food poisoning. This can affect the mother and her unborn baby and can even lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Check the label to make sure the product you buy has been pasteurized.

Unwashed fruits and vegetables: Fruits and vegetables are an essential part of a pregnant woman’s diet. Therefore, it is important to ensure that they are washed thoroughly before eating. Avoid pre-packaged salads, buffet salads, or salad bars as they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria.

Drinking too much coffee: Although moderate amounts of caffeine are allowed during pregnancy, high amounts of caffeine can affect the development of the fetus. Research has shown that excess caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Alcoholic beverages: Pregnant and breastfeeding women should abstain from drinking alcohol during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Alcohol consumption can affect the baby's development and lead to fetal alcohol syndrome. Therefore, pregnant women should absolutely abstain from alcohol during pregnancy.

Vitamin A: During the first 3 months of pregnancy, mothers should absolutely not supplement vitamin A and avoid consuming foods rich in vitamin A. High levels of vitamin A can be toxic to the baby and cause birth defects because the baby's liver is not fully developed and cannot process much vitamin A.

My Hanh - CDC Dong Thap

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