The Whole Food Blog

Expectant mothers are aware that a pregnancy nutrition plan should include calcium supplements.  The March of Dimes reports, however, that a woman’s calcium supply is fairly consistent throughout her adult life.  This is not to say that calcium supplements are not important.  What’s true is that many women do not get the appropriate amount each day even before becoming pregnant.  Only when a proper pregnancy nutrition plan is investigated do they realize the problems with their typical diet.

Women between the ages of nineteen and fifty are encouraged to consume around 1,000 milligrams of calcium daily.  Most only get about 700 milligrams more often than not.  The recommended amount is even more important for pregnancy nutrition as the baby needs a portion of the 1,000 milligrams.  If the body can’t get proper nutrients from the food consumed, then calcium supplements will keep it from having to borrow calcium from other body parts, like the bones of the mother.

Relying solely on calcium supplements is not a great idea, but they can be an effective tool for pregnancy nutrition.  Along with supplements, pregnant women and those who are breastfeeding would be wise to obtain calcium from other natural sources.  Those unopposed to dairy products will find them to be a good source.  Other natural choices are dark green, leafy vegetables.  Many food and drink manufacturers are now supplementing their products with calcium, especially orange juice producers.

Choosing the Proper Calcium Supplements for Pregnancy Nutrition

It’s too bad that the amount of calcium contained in most daily vitamins is not enough to match recommended quantities.  Additionally, problems with calcium absorption in the body may arise.  When considering pregnancy nutrition, it is important to select calcium supplements that the body understands and assimilates properly.  The best picks are whole food calcium supplements.

High fiber foods can aid in digestion, promote healthy weight loss, and even lower risks for diseases like diabetes and cancer.  With such benefits, it’s hard to imagine why more people aren’t stocking their cupboards with high fiber foods.

While the fiber gets chewed up and becomes very small, it does not actually get absorbed into the body.  Instead, it passes from one end of the digestive system to the other, doing several very important jobs along the way.

1.    High fiber foods take a little longer to chew, which gives the body time to recognize when it is full.  This stalls cravings for more food.

2.    The slower absorption of high fiber foods in the stomach means that a person feels full for a longer period of time, contributing to natural weight loss.

3.    As the high fiber foods make their way to the stomach, they slow down the overall absorption of nutrients into the blood stream.  One thing that slows down is the absorption of sugar.  In addition to affecting mood and energy, this lessens strain on the pancreas, which can lead to diabetes.

4.    As fiber continues through the digestive tract, the little particles actually brush the insides of the intestines, removing built-up waste materials.  This helps to prevent irritations that can lead to polyps and cancer.

5.    At the end of the digestive process, fiber moves waste out of the body.

It is recommended that the average adult consume between 25 and 35 grams of fiber daily, yet most of us get about half that.  The best source of this substance is in naturally occurring high fiber foods, such as fruits and vegetables.