Constantly feeling tired and sleepy is common during
pregnancy – so common that it is usually one of the indications of conceptions
in the first trimester.
But doctors suggest that tiredness during pregnancy may
actually be a sign of anemia, low thyroid function or gestational diabetes.
This is not always the case, but doing regular check-ups should be done to
ensure that there’s nothing amiss.
Usual pregnancy tiredness, on the other hand, poses no
danger to the health of the mother and the baby. This is only caused by the
rapid division of cells and the surge of hormone levels. The start of pregnancy
also signals the blood pressure to increase along with the lung capacity.
Tendons and ligaments also start to hang loose. The changes are so dramatic
that they can instantly sap out the energy of the mother.
As a result, fatigue during pregnancy starts to take a toll on pregnant women.
Sleeping it out may sound like the most viable and practical
way to solve it, but doing so would just get in the way of work. Several supplements to battle out pregnancy fatigue may
be taken, but nothing comes close to the effectiveness of a diet plan that may
just be one of the smart ways of beating tiredness during pregnancy.
Foods for Fatigue During Pregnancy
It follows that everything that a pregnant woman eats has an
impact to her body and to the baby inside the womb. It is not rare to hear
about the lists of foods that should be avoided to do away with complications
during pregnancy.
The rule of thumb usually necessitates the intake of diet
rich in nutrients, vitamins and proteins. Consuming extra calories is needed to
produce more energy that facilitates the growth and development of the baby.
Adding calories may as well be included in the smart ways of
beating tiredness during pregnancy.
More Calories Energizes
People learn in biology class that calories are converted
into energy. With the numerous changes happening inside the body of a pregnant
woman, more or less 300 calories per day may be needed to keep her nimble and
supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
The calories consumed, however, should be healthy enough to
boost her much-needed energy, and not those that can make her gain weight.
Junk foods and soda may be an easy way out, but eating these
would amass empty calories – not good for pregnant women or to anyone for that
matter.
The calories taken should be coupled with brimming nutrients
needed both by the mother and the baby. Note that the fatigue may often be the
result of the growing baby absorbing a whole lot of nutrients, leaving almost
nothing for the mom.
This being said, a healthy diet plan should be nourishing
enough for both of them while being a good source of extra calories.
Suggested Source of Calories and Nutrients
- 1. A cup of trail (nits, sunflower seeds, raisins, etc) mixed with half a cup of orange juice
- 2. Small can of V8 and a bar of whole grain granola
- 3. Fruit Smoothie with yogurt, fruit and skim milk
- 4. Precut veggies and string cheese
