Life Care

1. Pregnancy
When a woman becomes pregnant, her nutritional needs increase tremendously and healthcare professionals need to assist her in ensuring that all these needs are met. Pregnant women can meet most of their increased nutritional needs by consuming a variety of nutrient- dense foods. These foods will provide her and baby with much needed nutrients while ensuring sufficient weight gain throughout her pregnancy. Good nutrition will also help alleviate common pregnancy problems such as morning sickness, heartburn and constipation. Eating Sunsweet Prunes is a great way to start because they’re packed with 18 vital nutrients (helping you to get more Fiber, Folid acid, Calcium, Iron, Copper, Vitamin A, C, E). Pregnant women need to take extra care with their eating habits during this time as they are also preparing their bodies for the challenges of lactation.

Nutrient needs during pregnancy

• The need for all nutrients increases, especially during the second and third trimesters.

Nutrient

Non-Pregnant Women

        Pregnant Women

 

19 - 50 years

2nd trimester

3rd trimester

Energy (kcal/day)

2000 - 2180

+ 360

+ 470

Protein (g/day)

55

+ 7.5

+ 7.5

Vitamin B1 (mg/day)

1.1

1.4

1.4

Vitamin B2 (mg/day)

1.1

1.4

1.4

Vitamin B3 (mg/day NE)

1.1

1.4

1.4

Float (μg DFE/day)

400

600

600

Vitamin A (μg RE/day)

500

800

800

Vitamin C (mg/day)

70

80

80

Vitamin E (mg TE/day)

7.5

10

10

Calcium (mg/day)

800

1000

1000

Iron* (mg/day)

20*

**

**

Iodine (μg RE/day)

110

200

200

Zinc (mg/day)

4.9

7

10

* Based on bioavailability of 15%.
** Iron supplements in tablet form are recommended for all pregnant women. In non-anemic pregnant Woman, daily supplements of 100 mg iron given during the second half of pregnancy are adequate. In Anemic women, higher doses are usually required.

Source: Recommended Nutrient Intakes for Malaysia (RNI), Malaysia. 2005

  • Dramatic increases are seen for energy, protein, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, folate,    Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, calcium, iodine and zinc.

  • The increased need for iron is so tremendous that it cannot be adequately met by normal diet alone.

  • The requirements for essential fatty acids (alpha linolenic acid and linoleic acid) are increased to meet the needs of the developing fetus.

Food cravings and aversions

  • Food cravings and aversions do not reflect physiological needs and tend to arise due to hormone-   Induced changes in taste and sensitivities to smells.

  • Cravings and aversions, especially of short duration, that do not result in marked changes in nutrient intake will probably not affect the nutritional status

Nutritional Recommendation for common Pregnancy Problem

Problem 

Causes 

What to do 

Morning sickness 

- Hormonal changes that normally occur in the early stages of pregnancy

- Eat dry toast or crackers when nauseated 

- Eat frequent small meals as often as possible when not feeling nauseated 

- Avoid foods with offensive odours 

- Take prenatal vitamin and iron supplements if prescribed on a full stomach or when feeling well

- Consult the doctor if vomitting is severe and prolonged 

Heartburn 

- The pressure put by the growing fetus on the stomach causes acid to back up and create a burning sensation in the throat

- Eat frequent small meals 

- Drink liquids between meals

- Avoid spicy or greasy foods 

- Sit up while eating 

- Wait an hour after eating before lying down

- Wait 2 hours after eating before exercising

Constipation 

- Reduced gut motility

- Lack of physical activity 

- Pressure put on the bowel by the enlarged uterus

- Take fibre-rich foods (eg. wholegrain bread and cereals, vegetables, fruits)

- Drink plenty of fluids "

- Drink Sunsweet Prune Juice or eat Sunsweet Prunes "

- Go to the lavatory as soon as bowel movements are felt "

- Perform appropriate, light exercise

Gestational diabetes/impaired glucose tolerance 

- Altered regulation of insulin due to placental hormones

- Continue close monitoring of progress of pregnancy and blood sugar level by O&G specialist and dietitian " 

- Emphasise importance of diet to control blood sugar level and to ensure normal development of the fetus.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (preeclampsia and eclampsia) 

- A syndrome characterised by hypertension proteinuria and fluid retention (edema) 

- Consume recommended daily amount of calcium "

2. Constipation Constipation is a common problem among people of all ages. Almost everyone has suffered from it at one time or another. There are some severe forms of constipation that will require medical treatment. For most people they just suffer from constipation occasionally. Being constipated can be very painful at times. It's also very bad for your health because bowl movements are our bodies way of getting rid of waste and toxins. These are what help:

Drink water
• The amount you should drink will vary by the persons body size and weight. Typically you should try and drink at least 6-8 glasses a day. It sounds like a lot but in reality it's not. If you drink one glass before and after each meal (which will aid in weight loss), then that's 6 glass there alone.
Exercise
• Going for a long walk could help get things moving along. When you do light exercises you will get your heart rate pumping, your blood flowing which will help aid in the constipation.
Sunsweet Prunes & other fruits
• Prunes are at the top of the list on fruits. Sunsweet Prunes will help soften the stool making it easier to come out. You can even try some Sunsweet Prune Juice. Other fruits and fruit juices will help too. Stay clear of things like bananas as they tend to make the problem worse.
Fibers
• Eating fibers will help steady your bowl movements. Eating foods which are high in fiber such as beans and leafy vegetables. Eating fibers should be done on a daily basis.
Bath
• Taking a warm bath will calm you down. Not only it will help your insides but it will make them cramps milder. Fill your bath tub with nice warm/hot water and lay in it and relax. Stay in there for a while and chances are you will feel better.
Linseed
• Taking a teaspoon of linseed (found at health food store) will aid in constipation. The linseed will provide certain lubrication to help ease things out.