Foods To Eat And Avoid During Your Fourth Month Of Pregnancy

What Should Be Included In The Fourth-Month Pregnancy Diet?

During the fourth month of pregnancy, it is important to include the following nutrients and food in the daily menu:

• Iron: As the blood volume increases significantly during this month, intake of iron-rich food is important to meet the greater level of iron requirement
• Vitamin C: Intake of Vitamin C is necessary, as it increases the absorption of iron by the body
• Fiber rich food: Including fiber rich food in the daily menu is advantageous as it cuts down the chances of constipation
• Essential fatty acids: Essential fatty acids are essential for the development and improvement of the child’s central nervous system. Make sure that your pregnancy menu provides adequate measures of Omega 3, 6, 9 fatty acids
• Calcium: As the calcification of the bones of the baby is progressing your body needs to increase the intake of the calcium to avoid the baby absorbing calcium from your calcium reservoirs and leaving you at the risk of osteoporosis in the future
• Protein: Amino acids are essential for the development of body cells. Amino acids are derived from protein, which is consumed by the mother. Hence, protein intake is important during the fourth month of pregnancy

Including the following food items in the daily menu will help you to ensure the healthy development of the baby. Using olive oil for dressing and cooking will help in meeting the requirement of essential fatty acids:

• Whole grain food items: Whole grain foods are food made from food grains that have the barn, endosperm, and the germ. Whole grain foods help to meet the increased requirement of energy. It is also a good source of fiber, iron, and vitamin B. Whole-wheat breakfast cereals, whole wheat bread, pasta, brown rice, bulgur, etc. and any product that marked ‘100% whole grain’ can be included. What you need to understand is that multi-grains are not whole grain
• Beans and lentils: The protein, iron, folate, and fiber content of beans and lentils are very high
• Dairy products:The calcium-rich dairy product should be an important part of the daily menu during the fourth month of pregnancy. Make sure you are having at least one liter of milk/milk products per day
• Fish: Fish is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin D. It also provides DHA help with the brain development of the baby.Including properly cooked fishes that are low in mercury level are safe to consume during pregnancy
• Meats and chicken: Meat and chicken (well cooked) are rich in protein and iron
• Vegetables: Cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, leafy vegetables, turnips, etc., provide all the essential minerals and vitamins you needed during this month
• Fruits: Fresh fruits are an unquestionable requirement all through pregnancy as they have heaps of vitamins and minerals; besides, they are high in water and fiber content. The fourth month of pregnancy can set off acidity and heartburn. Thus, fruits ought to be a vital part of your fourth -month pregnancy menu.Apple, banana, orange, apricot, grapes are loaded with minerals and vitamins that are essential during this period of gestation
• Eggs: Eggs are rich in proteins as they contain all nine essential amino acid
• Nuts and dried fruits: Nuts like walnuts, almonds, peanuts, pistachio are a good source of essential fatty acid, dietary fiber, calcium, iron and a wide range of essential nutrients. Dried fruits like dried fig, dates, and raisins are abundant in iron, fiber, calcium, and other vitamins and minerals. Therefore, intake of a hand full of assorted nuts and dried fruits per day can do wonders during this time of gestation