Pregnancy: Eating for two - when it comes to micronutrients
With the positive result of a pregnancy test, a woman's mind is flooded with a thousand thoughts and questions. The topic of nutrition often takes first place. What should I pay attention to? What am I not allowed to eat anymore? And above all: What should my meal plan ideally look like?
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The right nutrition, especially the sufficient supply of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements, plays an important role in the development and health of the baby. The well-being of the expectant mother also depends on it. A balanced diet and regular physical activity not only feel good and promote the health of both mother and baby but also have long-lasting effects beyond pregnancy.
Pregnancy - the body is running at full speed
The growth processes during pregnancy require a particularly high amount of micronutrients - such as vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. It's no wonder, as in just nine months, a small, lentil-sized cell cluster develops into a small, viable human being measuring around 51 centimeters in height.
However, what is often not taken into account: While the additional calorie requirement during pregnancy is only around 10-15 percent, the need for micronutrients is increased by 50 to 100 percent. "Eating for two" should therefore apply to pregnant women less in terms of quantity and more in terms of the micronutrient content of the food.
Folic Acid and more: Important micronutrients in pregnancy
Pregnant women need more of some vitamins, minerals, and trace elements than usual: Folic acid, vitamin B6, and vitamin C as well as the trace elements iodine, zinc, and iron play a special role in pregnancy.
Particularly noteworthy is folic acid: It belongs to the group of B vitamins and is involved in numerous metabolic processes in our body - especially those processes related to growth and cell division. The human body cannot produce folic acid on its own and must therefore obtain it through food. A natural source of folic acid is primarily green leafy vegetables. The term folic acid is also derived from the Latin word for "folium" meaning "leaf".
Less tired: More energy during pregnancy
Many pregnant women feel tired and lacking in energy. One of the reasons is the increased need for micronutrients. Especially the trace element iron is essential for the oxygen supply of our body. It is an important component of the red blood pigment hemoglobin, which transports oxygen from the lungs through the bloodstream to the cells. Iron also plays a crucial role in energy metabolism. Together with vitamin B6 and folic acid, it contributes to reducing fatigue. Iodine is also involved in energy supply. This trace element is important for the production of thyroid hormones, which support the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and thus the body's energy supply.
LaVita also supports during breastfeeding, you can find more information about it here.
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