The post 4 reasons to follow an organic pregnancy diet! appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>Even if a nutrient-rich, healthy diet is already a priority, choosing organic foods can make a world of difference. Organic products use organic farming methods – meaning that they do not use pesticides, chemical fertilizers or chemical food additives, and foods are not irradiated for sterilization. As a result, organic foods are seen as healthier; they lack potentially harmful substances and contain higher quality nutrients.
Pregnant women have much higher demands for vitamins and minerals than normal, so diet is key for mother and baby to remain in the best health possible. An improved immune system, better sleeping habits and increased vitamin E levels are some of the associated benefits, and organic fruits and vegetables contain higher levels of antioxidants and beneficial minerals such as iron and zinc.
Just because a food is labelled ‘organic’, doesn’t automatically mean it’s healthy. Biscuits and sugary treats can still be organic!
The choice to eat organic products however shows a certain level of mindfulness of a healthy lifestyle – and most who choose organic are aware that balanced meals; fruits, vegetables and proteins, will be best!
Bear in mind that pregnant women may still need to take additional supplements within their diet, and should consult their doctor to find out what’s needed.
In addition to the health benefits, many pregnant women choose organic foods to reduce risk. Most mothers-to-be will already avoid or limit particular foods that could have harmful effects, such as caffeine or fish that may contain mercury.
Organic is seen as a lower risk because regular food production uses methods that organic farming does not – methods which may cause food to have less essential nutrients and a multitude of chemical residues from chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides. Chemical hormones may also be found in non-organic produce – not ideal for a body already undergoing a hormonal upheaval. Increased levels of chemicals and carcinogens can generally have a number of associated risks such as cancer, and in pregnancy, could contribute to miscarriage.
This is not to say that all non-organic foods are toxic and should be avoided though, far from it. A healthy diet, organic or not, is always preferable to processed, sugary, unhealthy foods. But choosing organic may have additional benefit, and less risk.
In choosing to eat better food, many parents-to-be are creating good lifestyle habits to continue once their child is born.
An organic choice may also make an environmental difference. Many organic food markets source their produce locally, so in choosing local goods, carbon footprints can be reduced, seasonal living promoted and local farmers supported. Organic eating can build a better world for soon-to-be-born children.
Suzanne Gibbard is a mother to three and runs a business called Bundles of Joy which sells personalised christening gifts.
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]]>The post 8 pregnancy diet tips! appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>“Pregnant women might be eating for two, but this does not mean you need to eat twice as much as you normally would. Overeating might lead to excessive weight gain for you, it also puts you at risk for other pregnancy complications”, Dr Nicola Rains, a general practitioner at NHC Health Centres
According to Sue Scharf, dietician at NHC,“Eating healthy is even more important when you’re pregnant, because what you put in your body feeds both you and your baby. Your baby is dependent on you for getting enough nutrition. There are things you can do to get all the necessary nutrients without eating a lot more calories”.
“Remember that while pregnant, your baby’s health and growth are related to what you eat. When you are tempted to help yourself to another place of rice and chicken, remember that you are eating for a baby and not a full-size adult. It is all about quality over quantity” says Dr Rains.
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]]>The post Study: Turning off the TV during pregnancy could prevent childhood obesity appeared first on All4Baby.
]]>“Reinforcing healthy media habits during pregnancy may help reduce infants’ mealtime media exposure and impact long-term media habits in children,” said lead author Mary Jo Messito.
For their study, researchers analyzed data from an early childhood obesity prevention program conducted for low-income Hispanic families at Bellevue Hospital Center/NYU School of Medicine in New York.
Mothers were followed until the babies were three years old. During their third trimester, 71 percent of the 189 participants reported watching TV during “some” meal times (compared to options like “never,” “often” and “always”) while 33 percent of mothers said their three-month-olds were also exposed to TV during feedings.
“Identifying specific maternal behaviors and characteristics associated with child TV viewing during meals will help early childhood obesity prevention efforts seeking to promote responsive feeding and limit TV exposure during infancy.”
The latest research builds on a body of work that has shown a link between increased screen time, poor eating habits and obesity.
Likewise, a major study that looked at 41,133 women in Arkansas found that those who gained excessive weight during pregnancy also predisposed their babies to childhood obesity. The research was published in PLoS last October.
(AFP Relaxnews)
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