Required Nutrients For Pregnant and Lactating

To produce healthy and intelligent children, mothers should pay attention to diet during pregnancy, as well as breastfeeding. Note the nutrients contained in food consumed.

The following essential nutrients needed for pregnant and lactating mothers health and infant growth and development:

1. Protein is a builder substances needed for growth of cells in the fetus / infant. Contained in animal food sources such as meat, fish, milk and eggs.
2. Folic Acid (Folic Acid), including B vitamins are useful in the formation of DNA, red blood cells and the development of the nervous system. There is the source of green food such as spinach and broccoli, fruits such as oranges, strawberries, pineapple, avocado and beef, corn, crab, mackerel and nuts.
3. Calcium is useful for the growth of bones, teeth and soft tissue in the baby / fetus. And prevent bone loss in the mother. Can be obtained from milk, eggs, cheese, anchovy, salmon, sardines, green leafy vegetables, sesame, beans and fruits.
4. Iron is important in the formation of hemoglobin (Hb) which is a component in blood that carries oxygen to the placenta. Also beneficial for endurance in the mother, for fetal growth and development and encourage the development of the fetal brain. In order to better absorption of iron, required the presence of vitamin C.Sources of iron found in beef, liver, eggs, cereals, nuts and green vegetables. There is also in the form of supplements available in pharmacies and health service venues.
5. Choline is an essential nutrient that the body will be broken down into phosphatidyl choline is an essential part of the brain cell membranes and neurotransmitter involved in the control muscle movement (motor movement), memory and other body functions. To fulfill it is recommended to drink mother's milk for pregnant or nursing mothers containing choline.
6. AA (arachidonic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic) is a component of essential fatty acids found in the brain. Function is important for neurological development in fetuses / infants, especially the formation of brain tissue and the interconnection between nerves in the brain. In addition to function also in the development of the organ of vision and growth of body tissues. can be obtained from oily fish (salmon, tuna, lemuru), soybean oil, olive oil, corn oil, seed oil sun and can also be obtained by consuming special milk pregnant or lactating.
7. Vitamins essential for the formation of new cells, such as:
• Vitamins, B1, B2 and B3 which serves for the formation of energy.
• Vitamin B6 helps the protein to form new cells and suppress nausea in pregnancy
• Vitamin B12 helps make red blood cells
• Vitamin C to boost the immune system and helps absorption of iron.
• Vitamin D helps the absorption of calcium
• Vitamin A to prevent myopia. But there are opinions that say, too much vitamin A during pregnancy can cause defects in the fetus.