Being pregnant is a life experience that every woman goes through. In terms of diet and nutrition, it should be divided into three stages. Adjusting the diet structure according to the different physical changes and characteristics of pregnant women and babies in each trimester and fully utilizing the nutritional value is the healthiest dietary concept.
First Trimester (First 3 Months)
After becoming pregnant, women often experience mild nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and picky eating. According to traditional Chinese medicine, during this time, the yin blood accumulates in the uterus and the flow of qi and blood is not as smooth as before pregnancy. Insufficient qi and blood will weaken the spleen and stomach, so during the first trimester, the focus should be on foods that invigorate the spleen and stomach. It is advisable to eat tomatoes, cabbage, eggplant, amaranth, dried tofu, braised eggs, cooked lotus roots, barley, biscuits, crackers, dried buns, sugar-coated chestnuts, apples, hawthorn, and so on.
Second Trimester (4th-7th Month)
During this period, the various systems and organs of the fetus develop rapidly. It is important to ensure a balanced intake of various nutrients. However, during this period, the fetus is prone to abnormal fetal movements. If the qi and blood are weak, it is not beneficial for the fetus. Therefore, attention should be paid to the intake of foods that invigorate qi and nourish blood. Examples include millet, potatoes, Chinese yam, spinach, longan, wheat, daylily, chicken, eggs, quail eggs, soybeans, shrimp, pig liver, chicken liver, beef, eel, and milk.
Third Trimester (Last 3 Months)
In the late stages of pregnancy, the nutrition for pregnant women should be richer and of higher quality, focusing on replenishing qi, nourishing blood, and nourishing yin to prepare for the energy consumption during delivery. Foods such as sea cucumber, squid, clam meat, mussels, silver fish, lean pork, tremella fungus, and mulberry can be consumed.
Of course, during the ten months of pregnancy, daily nutritional supplementation is important for pregnant women, but it is also important to pay attention to moderation and not to cause excessive nutrition, which is not beneficial for the health of the pregnant woman and the baby.
