Did you know that between the third and sixth months of pregnancy is when a baby’s teeth start to erupt? Making wise dietary decisions early in pregnancy can thus help ensure that your unborn kid has healthy teeth for the rest of their life. You must consume enough nutrients throughout pregnancy, including protein, calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C, and D.
The National Maternal and Child Oral Health Policy Center has put together this set of guidelines to help you make good food choices during pregnancy:
- Consume a range of nutritious foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole-grain meals like bread and cereals, and dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese, and unsweetened yogurt.
- Consume less sugar-rich foods, such as candies, cakes, cookies, and dried fruit, and less sugar-rich liquids, such as juice, fruit-flavored drinks, and soft drinks.
- Select sugar-free snacks like cheese, fruits, veggies, and unsweetened yogurt.
- To pick foods with less sugar, read food labels.
- Try consuming little amounts of nutritious foods throughout the day if you struggle with nausea.
- Drink milk or water instead of soft drinks, juice, or beverages with fruit flavors.
- Throughout the day, especially in between meals and snacks, drink plenty of water. Consume fluoridated water (from a community-sourced fluoridation system) or fluoride-containing bottled water if you choose.
- Throughout your pregnancy, consume 600 mcg of folic acid daily to lower your chance of birth abnormalities. Consume foods high in folate and foods fortified with folic acid, as well as take a folic acid dietary supplement. These foods include:
- Broccoli, asparagus, and leafy greens like spinach and lettuce
- Legumes (lentils, peas, and beans)
- Bananas, papaya, oranges or orange juice, bananas, strawberries, and cantaloupe
- Bread, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, and white rice are examples of grain products enriched with folic acid.