Monthly Newsletter

   HEALTH DESIGN, INC.
Nutrition For Pregnancy    Volume 1, Issue 6
   July 10, 2001

 
Nutrition for expectant mothers should be comprised of at least six "balanced" meals per day.  A balanced" meal means the meal should be 1/3 protein, 1/3 carbohydrate, and 1/3 non-saturated fat containing food.

It is important for the expectant mother to learn what food substances are 
actually comprised of protein, carbohydrate, and non-saturated fat so that this balance can be maintained with each meal.

The significance of this 1/3,1/3,1/3 allocation is multifactorial. For 
example, the protein in the diet is necessary to prevent the mother from 
experiencing muscle wasting and to keep her skeletal structure strong with strong bones and healthy teeth. Also, this protein is necessary to provide adequate building blocks to insure a strong musculoskeletal structure for the developing fetus.

 Carbohydrates, which are found in vegetables, fruits, breads, pastas, cereals, etc., are necessary to provide energy in the form of glucose after these carbohydrates are metabolized by the body. However, when a meal is eaten that is comprised mainly or completely of carbohydrates, extreme lethargy and fatigue often occur as a result of insulin being activated by 
the carbohydrate meal, and this results in an increased glucose/insulin 
roller coaster effect.

Many young people eat primarily carbohydrates in an effort to keep from 
getting fat or gaining too much weight during pregnancy, but in actuality, strict carbohydrate meal ingestion acts to store more body fat.

Remember that carbohydrate meals trigger insulin release and INSULIN IS A 
FAT STORAGE HORMONE.

 Fat is necessary in a meal plan to add to the satisfaction of the meal as well as to aid in the absorption of fat soluble vitamins.

Fat and protein in a meal slow the absorption of foods by the stomach and 
small intestine, thus, slowing the release of insulin. 

During pregnancy, the normal valve mechanism of the gastro-esophageal 
junction is disturbed, which then allows for reflux of the stomach contents into the lower esophagus resulting sometimes in severe "HEART BURN". The small, frequent meal plan provides for more than adequate nourishment, stable 
insulin release, and decreases the incidence of gastro-esophageal reflux (heartburn). 

It is most important to start pre-natal vitamins EARLY in the pregnancy and be certain that a minimum of 400 

 micrograms of FOLIC ACID are taken daily, which helps diminish the incidence of NEURAL TUBE birth defects such as SPINA BIFIDA. For those contemplating pregnancy, the folic acid cannot be started too early!

By eating six small balanced meals per day, the expectant mother is not likely to experience excessive weight gain, and the incidence of toxemia of pregnancy and pregnancy induced diabetes will be lessened.

For further nutritional information, you are referred to read "The Cardiac Surgeon's Diet and Health Design".

Please, forward this newsletter to a friend.

Respectfully yours,
BP Loughridge, MD


 


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