Nutrition and Healthy Life

In Part 1 of this article, I discussed the macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins) required during pregnancy. In Part 2 of this article, I will describe the micronutrients which are essential during pregnancy. These micronutrients include the various vitamins and minerals, and are critical for the healthy growth of the fetus. The micronutrients required during pregnancy are: Calcium - Calcium is required for the formation of bones, teeth and nerves in the fetus. The pregnant women thus requires more calcium that usual to meet the increased demands from the fetus. The recommended amount is 1300-1500 mg/day during pregnancy. The sources of calcium are the dairy products (milk, cheese, creams, yogurt) and the green leafy vegetables (spinach, cabbage etc.). Calcium supplements are also recommended by the doctors to meet the needs of both the mother and the growing fetus. Iron - The formation of red blood cells and baby’s iron stores requires increased amounts of iron i...

Pregnancy is a state of carrying a developing embryo or fetus in the female body. The process of pregnancy is of 9 months. The nutritional needs of the female change at the beginning of pregnancy, and varies as the pregnancy progresses. One should take care of the diet and nutrition during this beautiful phase of life. The pregnant women requires macronutrients and micronutrients . The macronutrients are required in large quantities by the body, and include carbohydrates, proteins and fats. The micronutrients are required in small quantities by the pregnant woman and include the various vitamins and minerals. Part 1 of this article will discuss the macronutrients, and Part 2 will discuss the micronutrients. The various macronutrient requirements during pregnancy are: Carbohydrates - These provide energy to both the mother and her baby. The caloric requirement increases by 100 Calories in 0-3 months and 300 Calories in 3-9 months. Sometimes women increase the caloric intake more t...

Skin is the largest organ of the body. Therefore, one should take care of its nutritional needs. In addition, one should minimize stress, which negatively impacts the health of the skin. As we age, a good diet , exercise , stress reduction , and a good night sleep are key to healthy and glowing skin. These are discussed below in more detail: Diet - The skin requires different kinds of foods to maintain its health and glow. These are: Foods rich in antioxidants - Antioxidants prevent damage to the skin due to free radicals, and hence slows the aging process. Fruits and vegetables are very rich in antioxidants. Also, they provide different pigments to the body essential for maintaining a healthy skin. Increasing colorful foods in the diet such as apples, papaya, watermelon, berries, cherries, broccoli, cabbage, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, carrots, cranberries, avocados, onions, garlic, etc is recommended. Consume 3 to 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Foods ri...