Pregnant women carry their unborn child in their womb, and the quality of their nutrition not only affects the mother's health but also the development of the fetus. The fetus relies on the mother's supply of sufficient nutrients, including proteins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins, and water, to grow and develop normally in the uterus. If the mother lacks nutrition, it will affect the healthy growth of the fetus. The fetus relies entirely on the mother's supply of nutrients, and if the mother lacks nutrition during pregnancy, the fetus will be born with inherent deficiencies, resulting in a weak physique. A survey of 216 pregnant women showed that infants born to well-nourished mothers had an average weight of 5400 grams, while infants born to undernourished mothers had an average weight of only 3700 grams. Malnutrition in pregnant women can also affect the intelligence of the newborn. Severe malnutrition in pregnant women can lead to miscarriages, premature births, and even stillbirths.
Protein is the most essential nutrient for pregnant women. Protein is the foundation of life and the main substance that makes up human tissues and organs. Inadequate protein intake during pregnancy not only affects the overall development of the fetus, resulting in low birth weight, but also affects the development of the fetal brain.
Fetal brain cells begin to proliferate from the 10th to 15th week, and from the 25th week to 6 months after birth is a critical period for rapid proliferation and development of brain cells. A lack of protein during pregnancy leads to an insufficient number of brain cells and abnormal brain cell structure, thereby affecting the intellectual development of the fetus and causing irreparable regrets.
In order to give birth to a healthy and intelligent child, it is important to pay special attention to the pregnant woman's protein requirements. While rice and noodles can provide some protein, the quantity is not enough and the quality is insufficient, lacking some essential amino acids for the human body. Therefore, it is necessary to consume high-quality protein from animal foods such as chicken, duck, fish, meat, and milk to ensure the pregnant woman and the fetus receive the necessary essential amino acids. Soy products such as tofu, dried tofu, and bean sprouts also contain abundant high-quality protein and can be consumed in combination with animal foods.
A deficiency in minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, iodine, and various vitamins can also have adverse effects on fetal development. Calcium is needed for fetal bone formation, iron is needed for fetal blood production, iodine is needed for fetal thyroid formation, zinc is essential for enzyme composition and protein synthesis in the fetus, and vitamins are necessary for the regulation of fetal physiological functions.
Generally speaking, apart from calcium and iron, the mineral and vitamin requirements of pregnant women and fetuses can be met through grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables. For example, if there is no deficiency in meat consumption, there will be no deficiency in zinc; if there is an adequate intake of vegetables and fruits, there will be no deficiency in vitamin C.
In addition to grains, meat, fruits, and vegetables, we especially recommend eggs and milk to pregnant women. An egg can develop into a chick because it contains all the nutrients that a chick needs; a newborn calf relies solely on milk for nourishment because milk contains all the necessary nutrients for its growth. Eating two eggs and drinking a glass of milk a day is a convenient way to meet the basic protein and major mineral requirements.
When it comes to nutrition for pregnant women, it is not about eating more is better, nor is it about indulging in excessive consumption of meat and fish. Especially during the early stages of pregnancy, it is important to avoid overeating and prefer light and tasty foods. As stated in "Wan's Gynecology": "After conception, women should avoid overeating and favor light and mild flavors...constantly obtain clear and pure qi to nourish the fetus."
