Common Nutrient Deficiencies During Pregnancy and how to avoid them

Being healthy for your sake and for your soon to arrive baby is very important when it comes to making sure that your baby turns out to be perfectly healthy. But it is also a known fact that there are always chances that you might face some or the other nutrient deficiency during this time. Here is a list of the top 3 nutrient deficiency that you might face during your pregnancy and how you can avoid and even cure it.

Iron

According to many recent studies, close to 50% of pregnant women in the world are barely able to meet their recommended requirement of iron, especially during this time. As a result of the iron deficiency, you can also become anemic very quickly and anemia is definitely something you do not want to face during your pregnancy. From feeling extreme fatigue and having difficulty to fall asleep to facing problems during breathing too, the deficiency of iron can indeed cause complications during your pregnancy. Increased risk of infection and bleeding are some of the issues that can arise from the deficiency of iron. The Cure/Prevention Including lean meats and fish in your diet can do miracles for your iron deficiency. However, if you are a vegetarian, including foods such as spinach, tofu, cashews, chickpeas etc. to your diet can also prove to be very beneficial.

Folate

Folate or Vitamin B9 is another nutrient that is very essential during your pregnancy as it helps promote the healthy growth of the fetus. This is the main reason as to why your body is more in need of this macronutrient during the pregnancy. Folate performs the function of protecting your baby from defects caused in the neural tube, and which can affect the brain and spinal severely. If you are deficient in folate during your pregnancy, the chances of you becoming anemic and having neurological issues rise. The Cure/Prevention Dark leafy veggies, avocado, eggs, oranges, nuts and even beans are your best options when it comes to consuming foods that are rich in folate. Apart from them, also indulge, if you can on fruits like papayas and bananas. They really will prove to be brilliantly beneficial.

Vitamin D

What you need to know is that if you are deficient in Vitamin D during your pregnancy, then the chances of your baby developing complications later in life-related to bone mass are always more. We are sure that you already know that your best source of vitamin D is the sun, but sometimes there are chances that you may not be able to get the ample amount of sunlight. This is where the need for a few food substitutes comes into play. The Cure/Prevention Granted that you will not be able to get enough Vitamin D from foods, but things like fortified cereals, fatty fish and egg yolks can go a long way in making sure that your Vitamin D need is met effectively. However before introducing any new food to your diet, make sure that you are not allergic to it. Also, consulting your doctor before hand could always be a good idea.