Protein – an essential part of diet for pregnant women

Sufficient amounts of protein should also be a part of the healthy diet for women during pregnancy. In fact, throughout pregnancy, protein is responsible for protecting the muscle mass of the expecting mother and ensuring the proper development and growth of the baby.

Many women focus on eating healthily, especially during pregnancy. Some see pregnancy as a good enough reason to switch to a healthier diet. However, the diet should, of course, include a sufficient amount of protein. In fact, during pregnancy, the protein is responsible for protecting the muscle mass of the expectant mother and ensuring the proper development and growth of the baby. Moreover, protein is much needed as the mother’s tummy grows.

Why is protein important in pregnancy?

Protein is an essential building block that is needed for the proper development of the human organism. It is involved in the formation and development of the placenta as well as in the growth of both uterus and breast tissue. It also affects some important hormones. In pregnancy, the protein can make up to 15% of the total daily intake. Having said that, each body works differently, and so the daily requirements for protein intake can be rather individual. They even increase slightly as the pregnancy progresses. Once the baby is born, the caloric intake needs to be increased for sufficient breast milk production.

What can cause a lack or an excess of protein during pregnancy?

If you consume an insufficient amount of protein during pregnancy, it may result, for example, in slowing down the growth of your baby, disrupting hormonal processes, and possibly lead to anemia. Your body’s defense, your immunity system, might get compromised because of the lack of protein. And there can also be some unpleasant swelling because of it (a number of women develop swelling problems during pregnancy and an insufficient protein intake might actually be the root of the problems). An excessive protein intake, on the other hand, puts unnecessary strain on the liver.

How to make sure you eat enough protein during pregnancy?

We differentiate between plant protein and animal protein. The body processes animal protein more easily. By animal protein, we mean lean meat, fish, dairy products, or eggs. Plant protein sources include, for example, tofu or tempeh.

Protein meals during pregnancy

Should you include protein meals in your diet? It’s a “diet”, and you shouldn’t be on a diet while being pregnant, right? The KetoMix diet is definitely not recommended during pregnancy or the breastfeeding stage. But pregnant and breast-feeding women can also improve their food intake by including KetoMix protein meals. You can have a healthy snack in the form of a protein bar or protein biscuits while waiting for your ultrasound, for instance. As a healthier option instead of the regular pasta, the moms-to-be may include the low-carbohydrate or konjac pasta in their diet. But there is always a need to watch the total amount of protein eaten during the day. That goes not only for the protein meals but also for the regular meals. If you experience any problems, we recommend that you consult your doctor.