Wednesday, May 15, 2013

What foods/recipes are good for pregnant woman?

Q. This is my 2nd pregnancy. Last time around I had a rough time at the end of the pregnancy. So I am trying to eat healthier. I am so used to eating mcdonalds though( I work there, so its free) that I can't really remember how to cook and prepare meals. I don't want this kid to be unhealthy so I would like him to get as much healthy food as I can get.
I don't care much for onions & mushrooms.
Anything is appreciated(:

A. There is no special diet and recipes for a pregnancy. You should eat a healthy diet that gives all the nutrients to help your baby develop and grow.

Remember that the food you eat is the main source of energy for your baby growing inside. A pregnant women should know that she is not only responsible for herself, but also for the unborn child inside her. The child's physical and mental development after birth will have a influence of anything seen, thoughts and the food eaten by the pregnant woman.

1.There is no special diet for a pregnant women, but eating a healthy balanced diet that gives all the nutrients for your baby to develop and grow is recommended.

2.For the first 3 months, the diet of a pregnant woman should include food rich in iron, folic acid and foods high in calcium. You may take iron and folic acid tablets if you are pregnant or lactating.

3.Folic Acid & Birth Defects
Women should get enough folic acid from their diet before and during the pregnancy to prevent major birth defects involving baby's brain or spine, according to Canadian researcher Louise Pilote of McGill University, Montreal as reported in the British Medical Journal, May 2009.
A cup of Brussels sprouts supplies 93.6 mg of folic acid. Brussels sprouts recipe

4.Fortifying flour products with folic acid may cut the number of babies born with congenital heart disease, the most common of all birth defects.

5.In the next 3 month (i.e.3 to 6 month pregnancy), the woman needs extra protein and calcium. Look for foods with high protein.

6.Pregnancy & Weight Gain
Most women gain between 10-15 kgs, but too much weight gain should be avoided. However, the weight gain during pregnancy will vary according to your pre-pregnancy weight. According to the experts, an overweight woman is advised to gain only 7 kg (15 pounds) and an underweight woman to gain up to 18 kg (40 pounds).
7.Do Not Eat For Two
Many pregnant women wrongly think that they should eat for two. Note that you need only 200-300 extra calories daily in pregnancy, i.e. a cup of reduced fat milk or yogurt and a medium orange. This is because your body actually absorbs more nutrients from food you eat during pregnancy.
Researcher Alison Stuebeworking at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston found that pregnant women should avoid eating for two since too much weight gain is linked with complications at birth. Pregnant women who eat fried foods and dairy products and food for two are more likely to gain as much as 35 pounds. Women with vegetarian diets and eating more monounsaturated fat found in olive oil and nuts in early pregnancy are half as likely to gain an unhealthy amount of weight.

If you MUST eat at McDonald's, make healthier choices. Salads, fruits, and sandwich wraps, as opposed to a big Mac and fries is in your best interest.

For simple, healthy recipes to make at home, go to this link http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/healthy-meals/healthy-recipes-00000000037066/index.html


What are good ideas for healthy treats to bring to school?
Q. This is my son's first year of school and his teacher asks that when treats are brought in, they are healthy for the most part. No cupcakes, etc. My son's first day to bring a snack to school is next week and I can't think of anything creative for him to bring. Someone already brought the 'butterfly' treat, where you place a clothespin between a ziploc bag of snacks. Are there any other ideas anyone has used before or knows of that are healthy and cute? Thanks!

A. Kids are so cute at this age!!! Here are some ideas you might find acceptable:

1. Jello shapes: the original recipe is on their website, but it calls for a couple of boxes of jello and about half of the liquid. This makes an extra stiff batch that holds up well when cut in shapes with cookie cutters. Serve with animal crackers and whipped cream.
2. Rice krispy treats: you can make these using puffed brown rice and granola. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters and add mini chocolate chips or craisins as an extra treat.
3. Ice cold orange sections with a drizzle of raspberry syrup
4. Nutella spread on whole wheat bread and cut with cookie cutters
5. Trail mix baggies, ties with rafia
6. Celophane bags filled with mini box of raisins, M&M's, peanuts, and granola
7. String cheese and bread sticks or pretzel sticks tied with a piece of fruit bark.
8. Mini bagels spread with lowfat cream cheese and sprinkles with cinnamon
9. Baked potato or vege chips with lowfat ranch dressing
10. Fresh fruit parfaits: small plastic cups layered with non-fat strawberry yogurt, granola, fresh fruit
11. Fresh veges and dip: cucumbers, grape tomatos, mini carrots, jicama, brocolli florets and ranch dressing.
12. Mini peanut butter cookie sandwiches filled with nutella and raisins


What are some nice tasting healthy school lunch ideas that a teenager can make easily and cheaply?
Q. I would like ideas or recipes of healthy lunch snacks that i can make without it costing too much and lacking in taste

thanks

A. 4 small chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 tablespoon Cajun spice
2 teaspoons olive oil
4 large flour tortillas
1/2 cup tzatikki dip
1 medium zuccini, grated
1 large carrot, grated

Method:
1. Place chicken strips, Cajun spice and oil in a bowl, cover and set aside for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large non-stick fry pan over a medium-high heat.

3. Place the chicken strips in the pan and cook, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes or until brown and cooked through. Transfer to a bowl and keep warm.

4. Top each tortilla with Tzatziki dip, carrot, zuccini and grated carrot.

5. Serve immediately, or wrap for later use with a green salad of your choice.


Or a sandwich with a salad can be an easier alternative.
Salads are really good also.





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