I don't think I eat well for being pregnant?

Question

Before I got pregnant I weighed 101 lbs...I'm 5'1" a very tiny and have never had a big appitite I am not anarexic by any means small people run in my family. Now that I am pregnant I know I have to look out for what I eat and make sure I eat heathly but I don't think I eat enough at all...I have to force myself because of the baby...what do I do?


Also what foods are Folic Acid found it??

Answer 1

Water, fruits and vegetables are what count. Try to cut back on carbonation and alot of sugar. You'll be fine.

Answer 2

If genetically you are a smaller person then don't feel like you have to stuff yourself to nourish the baby. Just eat when you're hungry and eat healthy stuff like you already do. Your baby will most likely be on the smaller side anyway since that runs in your family. My two babies were not very long at birth and there are a lot of very small women in my husband's family. But they were healthy and their weight was perfect for their size.

About folic acid: Folate-rich foods include leafy green vegetables, dried beans, legumes, oranges and orange juice.

But folic acid from vitamin supplements and fortified foods is more readily absorbed and made available for use by the body than natural folate from food. 50 percent of food folate is absorbed by the body, while approximately 85 percent of folic acid in fortified foods and 100 percent of the folic acid in a vitamin supplement are absorbed. Cooking and storage can destroy some of the folate in foods.

So you still might want to "supplement" your healthy diet.

And remember, since you are a smaller woman, your ideal weight gain for the pregnancy will be on the lower end of the scale, probably more like 20 pounds rather than 30-35.

Answer 3

Don't overeat because you think you have to "eat for two" while you're pregnant. As with anything else, it is the quality of the food you eat rather than the quantity. The book "What to Expect When You're Expecting" has a pregnancy diet in it than can help you design a plan that works with how much you eat to optimize the amount of nutrition you get. I would suggest taking a prenatal vitamin just to make sure that you are getting everything you need. Prenatal vitamins also contain the recommended dose of folic acid as well. One warning though with prenatal vitamins...they contain iron which could increase or start constipation. If you find this is a problem take one with less iron like Jamieson. Please don't think you have to double your regular intake for your growing baby, but do make sure you are getting at least the minimum requirements. The baby will take what it needs from your body, but you need to replace it to be healthy and you need to be healthy to care for your child. Congratulations.

Answer 4

What are the best food sources?
Food manufacturers are required by the Food and Drug Administration to add folic acid to enriched grain products such as breakfast cereals, bread, pasta, and rice so that each serving contains at least 20 percent of the daily requirement, and some breakfast cereals contain 100 percent (400 mcg) or more. Dark leafy greens are also a good source of folate, as are legumes such as lentils and chickpeas. Other sources include the following:
• 1/2 cup cooked lentils: 179 mcg

• 1 cup boiled collard greens: 177 mcg

• 1/2 cup canned chickpeas: 141 mcg

• 1 medium papaya: 115 mcg

• 1 cup cooked frozen peas: 94 mcg

• 4 spears steamed or boiled asparagus: 88 mcg

• 1/2 cup steamed broccoli: 52 mcg

• 1 cup strawberries: 40 mcg

• 1 medium orange: 39 mcg

What are signs of a deficiency?
The signs of folic acid deficiency can be subtle. You may have diarrhea, loss of appetite, and weight loss, as well as weakness, a sore tongue, headaches, heart palpitations, and irritability. If you're only mildly deficient, you may not notice any symptoms at all, but you won't be getting the optimal amount you need for your baby's early embryonic development. That's why all women of childbearing age need to take folic acid, even if they feel perfectly well

Answer 5

Folic Acid is found in
Chicken liver (1/2 cup) 539
Beef liver (1/2 cup) 185
Spinach, boiled (1/2 cup) 130
Navy beans (1/2 cup) 125
Asparagus (4 spears) 88
Wheat germ (1/4 cup) 80
Avocado (1/2) 55
Broccoli, steamed (1/2 cup) 52
Orange 45
Peanuts 30
Butterhead lettuce 15
Whole wheat bread 15

You can also find out lots on info at babycenter.com

good luck

Answer 6

You should be taking a pre-natal vitamin, this will give you plenty of folic acid. Oranges have lots. I think spinach and beans too.

If you are not hungry, then don't force yourself. Make the most of the times you are hungry and pick nutrient rich foods, like whole grains, lean protein (which you need more of during pregnancy to avoid some complications), and plenty of yogurt, cheese, and/or milk along with fruit and veggies. Keep drinking water to avoid retaining too much later on in the pregnancy.

Spinach doesn't have to be cooked....I use it in place of lettuce in salads, on tacos, in thai wraps. Raw doesn't taste like the mushy stuff grandma made.

Answer 7

Some of the main things you want to concentrate on now is lots of walking ... take a walk to the market .. a walk to the mall .. check out some clothes and ideas or furniture for the child .. reason for this is that it'll help with the birth .. and it'll be good for the child too believe me... you will be so happy you did this when it is time :)

As far as food goes .. are you getting enough calcium? caltrate is basicly a pill that has plenty of this .. to help your bones get stronger to hold the womb up well .. also chomp down on fish .. salmon .. tuna .. trout .. whichever fish you like as it also has calcium but this time it's mostly for the baby reason being that research studies proved that fish has beneficial omega oils that will help in the child's development ..

Don't be afraid to try whatever you suddenly have a craving for! and whatever you want to eat? go for it! just as long as it is healthy and some proteins won't hurt either .. you are eating for two now after all :)

Congratulations on your comin baby :)

Answer 8

First, make sure you're taking a prenatal vitamin. They're all about the same, so just get one that's the cheapest. Second, you can't eat the perfect ideal everyday. Just try to incorporate all the food groups in your diet, and don't worry so much over it.

I ate all kinds of weird stuff like nothing but popsicles for a day or two :o) and my baby came out nice and healthy!

Also, just eat when you're hungry. Don't force-feed yourself food. If your baby needs nourishment, you'll feel hungry. Talk with your obstetrician about it, and see what they say. They're tracking you're weight, so they should know whether or not you're gaining what you're supposed to.

Answer 9

Funny you should ask this question today. I just got an e-mail with tips on eating healthy while pregnant. This is what it says.

It's important that you eat enough of the right nutrients to ensure you and your baby stay healthy. Every day, you should have:
6 or more servings of bread, cereal, rice, or pasta
3 to 5 servings of vegetables
2 to 4 servings of fruit
2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, eggs, or nuts
At least 8 glasses of water

Hope that it helps

Answer 10

The term " eating for 2" is not exactly true. The only thing that makes you eat more is cravings. If you think about it your baby doesn't exactly 'eat' It just gets the vitamins from what you eat so you don't exactly have to double your intake of food. As long as you eat healthy and take your vitamins the baby will be fine. Hope this helps. Good Luck!!!

Congratulations!!!!

Answer 11

Orange juice has folic acid. My doctor advised me to eat same as I did before I was pregnant so that I didn't over eat and gain too much weight. Just eat like normal you know breakfast lunch and dinner you don't have to over do it because you are pregnant
and take your vitamins