The role of protein supplement in pregnant women
It is essential for expectant mothers to eat enough
protein during pregnancy because it helps to maintain maternal health and
develop a healthy fetus. Most women recognize that the foods they eat play a
huge part in helping their child to grow in the uterus. The quality and
composition of foods eaten during pregnancy is just as important as the amount
of food eaten. Protein is particularly useful because it helps to form new
cells and build the body of the fetus. There are many benefits to getting
adequate protein during pregnancy, so expectant mothers should try to make sure
that they are eating the right types of protein rich food.
What Does Protein
Do in the Body?
Protein is so important during pregnancy because it
has a huge role in keeping people healthy. Food items filled with carbohydrates
simply provide energy, but protein is needed to build every single cell in a
human body. Protein helps to build up your baby’s soft tissue, the placenta and
your red blood cells. Not only that, but it also helps form hair, nails, bones
and organs, but it is also used to create the hormones that regulate every
function in the body. Since protein has so many important functions, it is no
surprise that it makes a big difference during pregnancy, especially during the
second and third trimesters.
How Does Protein
Affect Fetal Development?
Because it is generally seen as an important nutrient,
many medical studies have been done that examine the effect of protein on a
fetus. A meta-analysis of 20 separate research trials found that protein intake
was directly related to birth weight. Infants who were born to mothers that ate
the proper amount of protein while pregnant had a higher birth weight than
those born to women who did not eat enough protein. Low birth weight can lead
to a variety of problems, including increased infection risk, jaundice and
respiratory distress syndrome, so it is normally considered beneficial for a
newborn to have a higher weight. Without enough protein, a fetus may be feeble
or ill at birth.
Can Protein During
Pregnancy Help Expectant Mothers?
Protein is not just important for the health of the
fetus. Proteins help to keep blood sugar stable, so a diet full of proteins has
been linked to a lower risk of gestational diabetes. Women who eat a lot of
protein while pregnant gain more muscle and less fat, so they are less likely
to deal with all the health complications of obesity. Since protein builds the
cells needed to carry oxygen and iron throughout the bloodstream, it can help
to keep pregnant women from develop anemia or suffering from dizziness and
fatigue. In general, adequate protein supplementation helps pregnant women to
have a safer and more comfortable pregnancy.
How Can a Mother Make
Sure She Is Getting Enough Protein?
The average daily requirement for pregnant women is 60
to 75 grams, which should be divided into three or four servings. Women who are
not pregnant normally just need a couple servings of protein a day, but the
amount increases once a woman is pregnant. The precise amount you need will
vary based on your weight, but generally, pregnant women need around 90 grams
of protein each day. You can get protein from lean meats, beans, eggs, milk,
tofu, nuts and fish. However, it is important to keep in mind that certain
types of soft cheeses and fish species may not be advisable during pregnancy.
Author’s Bio
Leo Frederick in this piece looks at the role that
proteins plays in the pregnancy diet of
women. He further answered the question if protein affects the fetus
development.
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