Simple eating rules for pregnant women

No strict eating rules for pregnant women

20/02/2013

Do pregnant women have to follow strict eating rules? The gynecologist Prof. Klaus Vetter says no. Rather, it is important to eat regularly and healthy.

Karin Prall is 5 months pregnant. She has heard from her pregnant girlfriend that the daily meals have to be taken at fixed times. „I eat breakfast at eight and lunch at twelve“. But such rigid food rules as in clinics are not necessary at all. Rather, it is important what pregnant women eat and not at what time this happens.

There are, according to the gynecologist and member of the network „Healthy in life“, Prof. Dr. Klaus Vetter does not have a firm health rule on how often pregnant women should eat. But: „Pregnant women should eat regularly and throughout the day“. The network is funded by the Federal Nutrition Ministry and is intended to provide comprehensive information to parents before the birth of the child. For example, there are regular training courses on infant nutrition. As a rough guide: „Maintain three main meals and if hunger comes in between, as needed up to two snacks“.

What comes on the plate is important
Even when choosing the food, pregnant women do not need to worry much. What should be eaten, can be summarized easily. A warm main meal consists of three different food groups: plenty of vegetables or salad, with rice, pasta or potatoes, and occasionally fish, meat, egg and / or dairy products such as cheese. As a cold main meal is best fresh fruit, cereals, yogurt or bread with cheese and salad. The expert also advises to increase the amount of fluid. „It is best to drink one to two glasses of water with each meal“. Not on the menu is due to the risk of listeriosis raw, smoked or marinated fish. The fish should always be fresh and stewed or fried. Also avoided is raw meat or raw eggs. (Sb)

Also read:
Children's foods often way too sweet and greasy
No raw meat for toddlers and pregnant women
No smoked fish during pregnancy
Caesarean section increases diabetes-type-I risk

Picture: JMG