Nutrition Tips for Pregnancy

Did you know that a baby’s teeth begin to develop between the third and sixth months of pregnancy? That’s why making smart food choices while pregnant can help set your child up to be mouth healthy. During your pregnancy, a sufficient quantity of nutrients (especially vitamins A, C, and D, as well as protein, calcium, and phosphorous) are needed.

That being said, here’s a great list of tips to follow during your pregnancy:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods, such as fruits; vegetables; whole-grain products such as cereals, breads or crackers; and dairy products like milk, cheese, cottage cheese or unsweetened yogurt.
• Eat fewer foods that are high in sugar, including candy, cookies, cake, and dried fruit; also, drink fewer beverages that are high in sugar, including juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or soft drinks.
• For snacks, choose foods low in sugar such as fruits, vegetables, cheese, and unsweetened yogurt.
• Read food labels vigilantly so you can choose foods lower in sugar.
• If you have trouble with nausea, try eating smaller amounts of healthy food options throughout the day.
• Drink water or milk instead of juice, fruit-flavored drinks, or soft drinks.
• Drink water throughout the day, especially between meals and snacks. Drink fluoridated water whether from a community fluorided water source or bottled water that contains fluoride.
• Take a dietary supplement of folic acid and eat foods high in folate including:

• Asparagus, broccoli and leafy green vegetables such as lettuce and spinach
• Legumes (beans, peas, lentils)
• Papaya, tomatoes, oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe and bananas
• Grain products fortified with folic acid (breads, cereals, cornmeal, flour, pasta, white rice)

Keeping these tips in mind will ensure that your baby and their pearly whites will be healthy and safe, even before they meet you and the world…and continue the same nutritious lifestyle after your baby is born!  If you have any questions about what else you can do during pregnancy to help your child’s dental health, contact Sunshine Smiles today!