When a couple desires a child, the passing weeks are full of excitement: did it succeed, is it here, has the little one they both secretly dream of already been conceived? And when the test is finally positive, the little heart is beating, panic immediately sets in, because the arrival of a child is not just about excited anticipation, but also many serious changes. 

The expectant mother - especially in the first months - is tired, differently burdened, emotionally unstable, mentally exhausted, and often has strong cravings. But what can the expectant mother eat, what should she pay attention to, and what should she avoid even if she is almost going crazy for it? We examine these questions with Éva Ambrus, founder of ManóMenü and practicing mother.

 

Eating for two?!

We Hungarians love with food. We eat when we are sad, we eat when we celebrate, and we offer food to those who are truly important to us. So, when the belly starts to round - and with it the stomach capacity decreases week by week - we will hear nothing but 'eat more!', 'just a little bit!', 'now is not the time to diet!' and 'anyway, you are eating for two!'.

However, this is unfortunately-fortunately not true! In fact, it is very important that during the months of pregnancy (also) the emphasis should be on quality rather than quantity. Naturally, it is understandable that during the emotionally and physically demanding months of expecting a baby, mothers are a bit more lenient with themselves and a creamy dessert slips down, or industrial quantities of watermelon are consumed, but excessive carbohydrate consumption can have unexpected unpleasant consequences.

Let us not forget, pregnancy is an insulin-resistant state, meaning that even with normal glucose tolerance values, it is extremely important to maintain the balance of fast and slow-absorbing carbohydrates, and to ensure the supply of fibers, vitamins, and minerals for the health of the expectant mother and the baby.

 

 

Possible Causes of Significant Weight Gain During Pregnancy

Most expectant mothers dread the monthly visit to the health visitor, and weighing is usually the least favorite agenda item. It is important to know, however, that pregnancy necessarily involves some weight gain if the expectant mother has a low or normal BMI. 

Since the weight of the baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, and enlarged breasts can total six to ten kilograms, such weight gain over eight to nine months is considered completely natural. However, if the weight gain is sudden, significant, or alarming despite a sporty and balanced lifestyle, increased attention and specialist control are definitely necessary.

The most likely causes of significant weight gain during pregnancy:

- thyroid disease;

- gestational diabetes or previously hidden insulin resistance;

- sedentary lifestyle and carbohydrate-dominant diet;

- water retention.

In each case, it is important for the expectant mother to consult her obstetrician-gynecologist and, if necessary, seek the help of an endocrinologist, diabetologist, or cardiologist.

 

Vitamins and Minerals During Pregnancy

It is no longer necessary to tell mothers that supporting the health of the baby and the mother always requires a balanced intake of vitamins and minerals. Numerous vitamin complexes, prenatal vitamins, and other preparations are available for this purpose, but few know how to take the various active ingredients effectively.

The most important thing is that the intake of vitamin C and D, folic acid, magnesium, and iron should be optimal. To maximize absorption efficiency, it is advisable to take different vitamins and minerals at different times, with a 2-4 hour interval. The specialist should decide on the necessary amounts based on available blood test results. If this is not accessible, always seek the advice of pharmacists!

 

Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

Every expectant father has a funny story about having to procure some surprising food at an impossible place or time for his partner who is almost in tears from cravings. These cravings are often due to binge eating attacks, which can be caused by fluctuations in blood sugar levels or emotional instability, as well as a need for certain minerals or vitamins.

 

But which foods should be avoided during pregnancy?

- It is self-evident that alcohol and smoking should be avoided even occasionally during pregnancy. (Some specialists may recommend occasional red wine consumption, which should be decided jointly by the expectant mother and her doctor.)

- Raw meat, fish, and eggs. No matter how delicious tiramisu is, how divine sushi is, or how much the mother loves steak tartare, during this period it's better to be safe than sorry. Certain seafood should always be avoided, and for all three food groups, the basic rule applies: they can be consumed safely when well-cooked.

- Moldy and soft cheeses, unpasteurized milk and juices. Listeria, E. coli, salmonella, and campylobacter bacteria potentially found in untreated milk and juice are dangerous for both the baby and the mother, but hard-aged cheeses can still be regularly included in the expectant mother's diet.

- Raw sprouts. The optimal conditions for sprouting also favor the proliferation of salmonella and other bacteria. Since sprouts cannot be cleaned of potential infections, it is advisable to avoid them during the months of pregnancy.

- Unwashed foods. It is unnecessary to explain why it is so important to thoroughly clean the vegetables and fruits consumed, especially during pregnancy and the first six years of life, to remove any dirt adhered to them. No matter how romantic it is to eat an apple from a tree or tempting to grab a few grapes while shopping, forget it!

During pregnancy, it is advisable to consume controlled amounts of refined sugars, sweeteners, carbonated and other sugary drinks, fruits and fruit juices, as well as caffeine.

 

3 Things You Should Always Have With You If You Are Pregnant

A woman's bag hides many wonders, but during pregnancy, it is necessary for the expectant mother to be prepared for everything. To ensure that both the baby and the mother are always well, it is advisable to always carry

- non-carbonated water, as fluid intake is extremely important during pregnancy. Two to three liters of sugar-free, caffeine-free, and non-carbonated fluids per day are mandatory during this period.

- slow-absorbing, easily accessible carbohydrates, such as homemade oat biscuits, seeds, whole-grain biscuits. This way, we can ensure five meals a day even if we are on the go, stuck in the hospital, or facing unexpected events during the day.

- fast-absorbing, immediately usable carbohydrates, such as fruit puree, dried fruit bars. These can be useful if we forget to eat, our blood sugar suddenly drops, and we need to eat immediately.

Further tips for expectant mothers and fathers for the months of pregnancy and postpartum in the next part of our series. Join us, and if you found my writing useful, share it with your friends and followers too!