Nutrition and Diet Tips

Since there is no doubt that breastfeeding is the main factor influencing the growth and development of unborn children.

However, everyone was surprised this new study in Britain that said that the power of the pregnant woman is determining the sex of your baby.

The results show a clear association between mothers who were fed more calories and the birth of baby boys.

In industrialized countries has greatly reduced the birth of males, and this may be a cause because in these countries has been greatly reduced calorie intake among younger women.

The research involved 740 pregnant women who did not know the sex of your baby. They should record their eating habits before and during the early stages of pregnancy.

With the data provided by the participants, divided into 3 groups depending on the number of calories daily during pregnancy.

It was noted that 56% of women in the group with the highest intake of calories had baby boys, compared with 45% in the group of lower calories.

In addition, mothers of boys not only consumed more calories but also said they were fed a greater variety of nutrients like potassium, calcium and vitamins C, E and B12.

We also observed a relationship between women who ate breakfast cereals during pregnancy and the birth of male children.

In vitro fertilization research has demonstrated a high level of glucose in the blood stimulates the growth and development of male embryos. Then, there is evidence that diet and calories of the same have an important role in the sex of unborn baby.

However, consuming excess calories to make conceive a male child is not a pleasant idea, much less healthy, as the gestation period is very sensitive, especially for women and it is best to lead a healthy and balanced diet.

Vitamin E, which is dangerous in pregnancy

By contrast, high consumption of retinol – the biologically active form of vitamin A – had no statistically significant effect on risk.

Dr. Steegers-Theunissen and colleagues point out that high levels of vitamin E “may change the imbalance of oxidants / antioxidant status (extra) embryonic tissues.

Other possible mechanisms of teratogenicity of high vitamin E, say, would include the modification of genes involved in embryonic heart development and inhibition of a protein involved in detoxification of drugs and endogenous toxins.

The researchers gave support to “future studies (that) focus on such benefits as the teratogenic effects of natural and synthetic antioxidants on reproductive outcomes.

The research on diet and nutrition has shown considerable positive influence on a balanced diet during pregnancy.

Specifically, nutritional status and food habits of the mother are factors directly related to your health and your child. It is therefore a very appropriate time to review lifestyle.

A reasonable diet at this physiological stage of female life is the best help to prevent premature births and even linked to the development problems of the newborn such as the reduction in weight or height, lowered resistance to infections, etc..

Although you can not prevent certain hereditary problems (hemophilia, etc.), It is possible to change poor nutrition. It is known that states of malnutrition and / or deficiency can cause alterations in the course of pregnancy: preterm labor, fetal malformations, abortions, etc. All this has led to ensure that it is essential to proper nutrition to ensure normal during pregnancy.
The assessment of nutritional status must carry out the doctor who follows the course of pregnancy with the health professional nutritionist (dietitian – nutritionist).

Experts say as circumstances that may compromise maternal nutritional status: the economic situation of deprivation, third pregnancy in less than two years (maternal reserves are depleted and it is difficult for a woman’s body is not affected in some way: anemia, decalcifications , etc.) monitoring therapeutic diet prior to pregnancy, poor dietary habits, consumption of snuff, alcohol or other drugs, low weight in early pregnancy, associated disease, twin pregnancies and teenage pregnancies.

The latter needs are higher than those of adult women to still be growing children and establish a kind of rivalry between mother and fetus to get essential nutrients for development.

Pregnancy is a delicate stage from the nutritional point of view, because nutrient requirements are high and difficult to cover and, moreover, the effects of imbalances may have serious repercussions in other stages of life and affect not only the mother but also to their offspring.

No allowances should be made to restrict or limitations that do not meet basic nutritional requirements. Similarly, avoid situations of fasting, both temporal and fasting diets free of carbohydrate, and that can lead to situations that are harmful to the fetus.

• Note that “eating well” does not mean much food or not eat based on food prices.

• All foods have a place in the diet; vary the maximum power, including all basic food groups and within each one of them, different types of foods (fruits, vegetables, etc.).

• Select foods based on their quality and not quantity, for the largest increase in the need for protein, certain vitamins and minerals, compared with the energy, especially in the first quarter.

• Fractions food in divided doses (4 to 6) throughout the day, in order to reduce possible gastrointestinal upset, better control of blood glucose and not to unbalance your diet.

• Eat slowly, chewing food thoroughly, in relaxed, calm, avoiding distractions (TV, radio, etc.). And orderly manner: start with the starter, then the second and finally the dessert.

• Monitor the consumption of fruit. In addition to vitamins contains simple sugars that can promote weight gain. Not more than 4 per day.

• Avoid drinking alcohol. Decrease the use of certain nutrients (protein, iron, B vitamins, calcium …), provides empty calories and abuse can cause birth defects.

• Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day, preferably between meals to prevent stomach upset.

In the case of women who follow dietary guidelines proposed above far from equilibrium (vegetarian, macrobiotic …) will be appropriate counseling with health professionals on issues of food experts (dietitians – nutritionists) to meticulously review the regular consumption of foods and see how to combine different foods in order to reduce the risk of nutritional deficits.

Without changing his feeding at all, pregnant women should watch what she eats to avoid infections usually not serious but can have serious consequences during this period. What foods are potentially hazardous and the precautions to take?
Listeriosis, toxoplasmosis, that do not succumb to psychosis?

Due to the bacteria listeria, listeriosis results in fever, which can cause unexplained, according to the progress of the pregnancy, miscarriage or premature delivery. Listeria is resistant to temperatures between 4 and 56 ° C, thus it may appear in all the foods you eat without cooking first and that we keep in the refrigerator. A few simple hygiene measures can nevertheless reduce the risk of contamination:

* Avoid soft cheeses or raw milk, grated cheese bags, products purchased from the delicatessen, smoked fish, cold meats raw or cooked raw shellfish.
* Remove precaution cheese rinds.
* Make a habit in your kitchen to wash the work plans, refrigerator and kitchen utensils, wash your hands before eating and to separate raw foods from ready to eat them.
* Skip to accommodate the remains.
* Cook meat well.
* Wash fruits and vegetables. (more…)