American surrogacy center ：Surrogate mothers need to choose the right foods and supplements to eat, since they have to provide enough nutrition for the babies in their wombs. However, most inexperienced surrogate mothers don’t know how to choose the right foods to eat during pregnancy.
In this article, we talk about the importance of having a healthy diet and we make three diet suggestions for surrogate mothers.
The importance of a healthy diet
Surrogate mothers need to keep a well-balanced diet during pregnancy for two main reasons:
- The body needs more nutritional support when it carries a baby.
- With proper nutrition for the mother, the growing fetus will not have to pull the nutrients it needs to develop from the mother’s muscles, bones, and organs.
Suggestion 1: Eat organic produce
Eating plenty of foods with enough nutrition is one of the best and easiest ways to help get through this tough time. Here is a list of the top five healthy foods during pregnancy.
- Whole grains
Whole grains contain iron, magnesium, and selenium, which are all vital nutrients for health. Therefore, whole grains rank among the best foods during pregnancy.
- Broccoli
Broccoli contains plenty of iron and folic acid, which are key nutrients for supporting the development of a fetus in the mother’s womb.
- Non-fat Milk
A surrogate should get 1000mg of calcium a day, since calcium is a necessity for maintaining bone development. Non-fat milk is a good way to get enough calcium without extra calories.
- Bananas
This fruit is high in folic acid, which is helpful for development of a baby’s nerves and spinal cord. It’s a great snack for any time of the day.
- Eggs
There is plenty of protein and amino acids in eggs, and both nutrients are necessary for mother and baby.
Suggestion 2: Use Healthy Supplementation
In addition to ordinary, nutritious food, surrogates can get prenatal vitamins to support the development of the fetuses in their wombs.
Prenatal vitamins contain many vitamins and minerals, among which folic acid, iron, iodine, and calcium are the most important.
Suggestion 3: Food that should be avoided by surrogates
Most food is safe during pregnancy. However, there are some foods the surrogates should avoid.
Raw meat
Uncooked seafood, beef, or poultry should be avoided because this kind of meat may be contaminated by toxoplasmosis.
Deli meat
Deli meat may carry listeria, which can infect the baby and cause miscarriage. If mothers want to eat deli meat during pregnancy, make sure that the food is fully reheated. Listeria can also be found in smoked seafood.
Raw eggs
Raw eggs may expose the surrogates to salmonella, so should be avoided. Some foods containing raw eggs, like homemade ice cream and mayonnaise, should also be avoided.
Caffeine
Caffeine intake may cause miscarriages, so women should stop drinking coffee or tea during the first trimester to reduce the likelihood of miscarriage. Generally speaking, caffeine should be limited to less than 200mg per day.
As a surrogacy agency, American Surrogacy Center provides detailed information for both intended parents and surrogate mothers, making sure every family can welcome their own baby.
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