During pregnancy, calcium is essential for the growth, development, and formation of your unborn child’s bones and teeth. It’s crucial for expectant mothers to make sure they’re getting enough calcium to meet their own needs as well as those of their unborn child. However, how can you determine which goods and foods will help you increase your intake?
There are many commonplace foods high in calcium, including leafy greens and almonds as well as dairy products like cheese and milk. But not all foods are made equal, and some might be better for you than others.
This post will discuss several calcium-rich products that are safe and helpful for expectant mothers. Whether you’re searching for supplements or dietary staples, you’ll find useful advice on how to keep your calcium levels in check during pregnancy.
- Why does the body need calcium?
- Where it is contained?
- Sources of plant origin
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Why does the body need calcium?
Researchers have discovered that this microelement accounts for up to 2.5% of the body’s overall chemical composition. It is a part of numerous everyday processes that take place in a pregnant woman’s body. During pregnancy, the unborn child needs calcium just as much as the expectant mother does. Compared to the general population, pregnant women have a slightly higher need for this microelement. This characteristic results from the fetus’s active growth and development, which increases the need for it. The rates of calcium consumption rise dramatically with multiple pregnancies.
Calcium ions play a role in maintaining the musculoskeletal system’s normal function and guaranteeing the strength of bone structures. Additionally involved in the conduction of nerve impulses is this chemical substance.
A lack of calcium during pregnancy can cause a number of nervous system disorders in the developing fetus. Additionally, this microelement plays a role in maintaining proper blood clotting. Its normal concentration is required for the blood to have enough fluidity and liquidity. For the mother and the fetus to have the best possible blood flow, these characteristics are required.
Where it is contained?
It is crucial to keep the concentration of calcium at a normal level while pregnant. Numerous diseases can arise as a result of both significantly high and low blood levels of this microelement. They show up in the future mother as well as her child. Doctors may recommend special biochemical analysis to find the blood’s concentration of this trace element. Any stage of pregnancy can be used for this kind of research. It enables you to determine whether there is an excess or deficit of this trace element in the blood.
It is crucial to consume at least one or two meals a day that are high in these microelements in order to offset the calcification state that occurs in the pregnant woman’s body. You should consume such products on a daily basis. A decrease in the blood’s calcium concentration may result from any gaps.
Doctors will advise the expectant mother to eat more foods high in calcium if the study’s findings indicate that the blood’s calcium concentration is lower than expected.
Foods made from plants and animals both contain this microelement. Experts utilize specialized tables that show the amount of calcium in each food item for convenience. Fermented milk products are the category that holds the record for this microelement’s content. Researchers have discovered that the body absorbs calcium from low-fat milk more effectively. Thus, 2% fat milk will release this chemical into the bloodstream at a higher rate than 3.2% fat milk.
Cheese, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt, and other fermented milk products are rich sources of calcium. It is crucial for expectant mothers to keep an eye on the product’s manufacture date. Fermented milk products that have gone bad: there’s a serious chance of "catching" salmonellosis or another intestinal illness.
It’s crucial to remember that dairy products have excellent absorption of calcium ions. The fact that these foods also contain vitamin D, which is required for their complete absorption, readily explains this.
A woman who is lactose intolerant cannot digest dairy products that contain cow’s milk. In this instance, plant-based foods that are high in calcium or prescription drugs can help the body make up for its calcium deficiency. Another source of calcium is seafood. Immediately, it is important to note that these products have a much lower concentration of this substance than fermented milk. Doctors advise expectant mothers to eat sardines, herring, mackerel, and other fatty fish if they are deficient in calcium. They are also beneficial because they contain a lot of essential Omega-3 acids.
Calcium is also found in eggs. Both quail and chicken eggs work well. One egg per day is sufficient for the daily diet. Egg consumption should be limited for expectant mothers with chronic cholecystitis or gallstone disease.
Sources of plant origin
Additionally, calcium-rich plants are a creation of nature. There is a long list of them. Sesame is the top-ranked microelement in terms of content. It’s vital to remember that this plant contains a lot of calcium in almost all products made with it. Sesame oil and seeds are both suitable. In addition to being a nutritious decorating ingredient, sesame seeds can be used to make a variety of baked goods.
You can treat your sweet tooth to a tiny bit of sesame halva. Still, because these candies are so high in calories, you shouldn’t abuse them.
Fruits contain trace amounts of calcium as well. This microelement, for instance, can be found in apples, persimmons, and other fruits. Additionally, nuts, legumes, and poppy seeds contain calcium ions. Frequent consumption of leafy greens, fresh celery, and parsley in salad form is a great way to prevent calcium deficiency during pregnancy. This kind of meal will also assist in restoring normal stools and better gastrointestinal tract function.
Soups made with plantains and nettles can be incorporated into the diet of an expectant mother who is carrying a baby in the summer. You should only take them after first consulting your physician.
Nettles should therefore not be used if there is a risk of thrombosis. If you have chronic gastritis, avoid consuming plantains as they can increase gastric secretion.
Doctors may advise expecting mothers to drink one glass of freshly squeezed carrot juice per day if they are deficient in calcium. You can enhance the drink’s absorption of this microelement by mixing in 1-2 teaspoons of cream or vegetable oil. Carrot juice is a great way to make up for a lot of the vitamin deficiencies that the female body experiences. A significant amount of calcium can also be found in green seasonings that are used to flavor soups and other hot dishes. As a result, dried dill contains 1.7 of this microelement per 100 grams of product. The amount of calcium in the blood will also benefit from regular consumption of tea infused with oregano.
Product | Calcium Content (per 100g) |
Milk | 125 mg |
Yogurt | 150 mg |
Cheese | 700 mg |
Almonds | 260 mg |
Sardines | 380 mg |
Tofu | 350 mg |
Broccoli | 47 mg |
During pregnancy, calcium is vital for the developing fetus as well as the mother. A mother’s general health can be preserved and healthy bone development supported by selecting foods high in calcium. To meet your needs, it’s critical to incorporate dairy products, leafy greens, and foods fortified with calcium into your daily diet.
Supplements can be a useful option if you have trouble getting enough calcium from food alone. To make sure you’re getting the right amount for your body and pregnancy, it’s best to speak with your doctor before taking any supplements.
You know that you are promoting your own health and your baby’s development when you prioritize a balanced diet and include foods high in calcium. Making minor dietary changes can have a significant impact on getting the vital nutrients you require for the duration of your pregnancy.
Pregnant women require calcium for both their own health and the development of their unborn child’s strong bones and teeth. Dairy, leafy greens, almonds, and fortified foods are examples of products high in calcium that can help meet the increased demand during pregnancy. By including these foods in a balanced diet, mom and baby will be able to get the nutrients they require to grow and thrive.