During pregnancy, your nutritional needs increase by roughly 300 calories per day over your normal diet. When you are nursing, your calorie needs increase by roughly 500 calories per day over your normal (non-pregnant) diet. Bellybar provides almost half of the extra calories that pregnancy calls for, and it comes packed with extra dietary vitamins and minerals, which are derived from natural ingredients such as flaxseed for Omega 3 fatty acids. In fact, Bellybar may contain all of the supplemental nutrients needed during normal pregnancies and lactation, but consult your physician for your unique needs.
When you don’t get the nutrition you need, your baby doesn’t get it either, which increases your baby’s risk of low birth weight and neural tube defects (improper development of the brain or spinal cord), among other problems. Poor nutrition also increases your risk of fatigue related to anemia and other problems. For these reasons, it’s common to supplement nutritional needs, even before conception.
Likewise, a vitamin and mineral fortified food, such as Bellybar, helps you to achieve your recommended prenatal nutrition. Eating is not only more enjoyable (think good taste and an excuse to snack), but it also supplies the extra calories you need, which includes the extra vitamins and minerals necessary for a healthy pregnancy.
Food is Good for You
The diets of most people (74 percent) need improvement. According to the USDA Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion, only 10 percent of Americans have a good diet and 16 percent have a poor diet, based on The Healthy Eating Index: 1999-2000. To understand the benefits of good eating, let’s start by understanding how your body gets nutrients.
| • | What you eat or drink – from a glass of milk to an apple to a slice of pizza or a nutrition bar – isn’t in a ready-to-use form. Anything that goes into your mouth must be broken down into molecules of nutrients (such as sugars, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals) through the process of digestion. |
| • | At that point, they can be absorbed into your blood and delivered throughout your body as nourishment for cells and energy for your body. |
| • | Each vitamin and mineral has a special role in your pregnancy, even before you conceive and after your baby is born. |
The extra calories consumed within a healthy diet, actually includes most of the extra vitamins and minerals that you need. Five benefits of eating food for nutrition include:
| • | Some nutrients, such as iron, are better absorbed when taken with food or in food. |
| • | Food comes with extra nutritional benefits, such as antioxidants. |
| • | Some vitamin supplements cause malabsorption of others if not taken in the correct ratio. For example, an imbalance of calcium can inhibit iron intake. And an imbalance of iron can inhibit zinc intake. Bellybar has the research behind it to ensure the appropriate balance and optimal absorption of such nutrients. |
| • | Food is generally more enjoyable than taking a pill. |
| • | Food tastes good (especially Bellybar)!! |
Iron and folate: Special needs during pregnancy
Your best nutrition comes from healthy whole foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains) and lean meats eaten regularly. According to the American Dietetic Association (ADA), when you make good food choices during pregnancy and eat to meet your energy needs, the increased absorption and efficiency of nutrients is usually enough for a healthy pregnancy. But even a healthy diet may not have enough folate and iron to meet your pregnancy needs. A fortified food, like Bellybar, can supplement the nutritional gap as a wholesome and appropriate snack made from natural ingredients.
Because half of American pregnancies are unplanned, the U.S. Public Health Service recommends that all women of childbearing age take 400 mcg of folic acid a day in addition to your regular diet. The amount of folate you need increases once you conceive, but the American Academy of Family Physicians advises that you take from 400 to 800 mcg of folic acid, beginning at least a month before conception and through the pregnancy. Why all the fuss about folate? Supplementing with folic acid reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Check with your physician to determine your specific needs. Bellybar is an easy way to stock up on folate.
Your iron requirements are another dietary need that is often unmet. Your baby accumulates iron for use as a newborn and you need extra iron to accommodate your increased blood volume. However, high levels of iron in some supplements can aggravate nausea and constipation - two already unpleasant side effects of pregnancy. Bellybar gives you what you need most, without overdoing it - if you don’t need the extra iron, for example. Because iron needs are particularly high unique to each pregnancy, speak with your health care provider about your personal iron needs.
Not too much of a good thing
The good foods that you eat during pregnancy provide the matrix in which your baby’s life begins. It also keeps you energized and healthy while your body undergoes radical change.
Because Bellybar plus your prenatal vitamin could lead to consuming more vitamins and minerals than you need, you probably will not need both. Bellybar provides you with a level of supplementary calories, vitamins and minerals that don’t compete with your other sources of nutrition – including snacks. Because iron needs are unique to each pregnancy, ask your health care provider to ensure you are getting the right amount of iron in your diet.
Supplementing at higher levels of folate and iron is usually most important if you have certain medical conditions, dietary restrictions (such as vegetarian, lactose intolerant), high risk pregnancy or pregnancy complications, if you smoke or if you are pregnant with multiples. Again, it’s best to check with your healthcare provider to assess the needs of your unique pregnancy.
A Special Time
Pregnancy is a special time. It’s a chance to discover yourself and all that it takes to create new life. Fundamental to a healthy pregnancy is becoming educated on what and how much to eat. The ADA recommends that you achieve good nutritional status before, during and after pregnancy to make the healthy choices that can enhance your experience even reduce the risk of future health issues for both you and your baby. Likewise, when you are eating well and living a healthy lifestyle, studies show that conception is actually easier, your pregnancy outcome may be better and it may even be easier to breastfeed and have a good milk supply. There is recognized value of eating natural foods for nutrition, and Bellybar fills the gap between what you eat and what you need during this important time.
For more information:
The Building Blocks of Good Prenatal NutritionWhat Dietary Supplements Are You Taking?
US Dept. of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Information Center
Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2000, 5th Edition (PDF Format)
Healthy Eating Index 1999-2000 (PDF Format)
MayoClinic.com: Vitamin and mineral supplements: Use with care