Smart Food Swap: Ensuring the Right Nutrients for Pregnancy

Whether you’re trying to conceive or are already expecting your little bundle of joy, one thing’s certain: you want to do everything right. This includes making sure that you’re getting the right nutrients to support your baby’s healthy development, which often starts with the food you eat.

While healthy eating is important during pregnancy, it isn’t always easy. And let’s be real: life can be unpredictable. Morning sickness, unpredictable cravings, busy schedules, or simply not having enough hours in the day can make the ideal diet a challenging, stressful goal.

But, don’t worry, mom! We’re here to show you that a nutrient-dense diet for your pregnancy journey is totally doable, without needing to rely on just pure quantity.

Nutrient Watchout: Folic Acid and Calcium

Let’s talk about two nutrients that are essential for your diet during pregnancy:

• Folic Acid. This B vitamin is a mighty hero that helps your body make new cells. Folic acid is especially beneficial in the early stages of pregnancy as it helps the development of the neural tube, which eventually becomes your baby’s brain and spine. It’s also the only form of folate that’s been shown to prevent serious neural tube conditions, such as anencephaly and spina bifida. It’s advisable that women of childbearing age consume at least 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily. Research has also shown that for women trying to conceive, it’s vital to get an extra dose of folic acid ,in addition to a healthy diet starting at least one month before conception and continuing through early pregnancy.

Add folic acid to your diet through leafy greens, like spinach and kale, fortified cereals, lentils, eggs, and oranges. While these foods all help, consistently reaching the recommended 400 mcg through diet alone can be a bit challenging, which is why having reliable nutritional support can make things feel more manageable.

• Calcium. Equally important, calcium serves as the building block for your baby’s growing bones and teeth. Calcium is also needed to keep your own skeletal system healthy and strong during and after pregnancy. Experts generally recommend about 800 milligrams (mg) of calcium daily for pregnant women to reduce the risk of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.

This translates to about 2 servings of dairy, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese. And if you’re dairy-free, you’d need a significant amount of fortified plant milk, tofu, and specific greens like collards. While this can work well, waking up with nausea or busy schedules can make precise tracking difficult, which is why flexibility and supportive options can help take the pressure off.

Smart Swap: Bonina Maternal Milk

Now, let’s focus on how you can include these two key nutrients in your diet. For many of us, consistently preparing and eating such a precise menu, day in and out, could feel like another chore in an already busy schedule. As you balance work, family, appointments ,and rest, achieving the exact nutrient targets from whole foods may turn out to be extra difficult – they may simply be unavailable at your supermarket or perhaps you may not find the taste appealing – leading to nutrient gaps. And it’s not your fault in any way because these gaps can easily happen, even with the best intentions.

This is where a pregnancy milk supplement can be a “smart swap”! Instead of striving for an often unrealistic, or extra difficult ideal diet, what if we looked for simple, accessible ways to ensure these vital nutrients are consistently covered?

Proudly Filipino-made, Bonina® Maternal Milk is specially formulated for expecting mothers to support them and the development of their baby while inside the tummy. With its Triple Boost Formula, it is packed with the right vitamins and minerals for immunity and maternal support, as well as fetal growth.

Together with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle, Bonina® is your reliable partner in filling the folic acid and calcium gaps conveniently and affordably. Recommended to be included once in the morning and evening, Bonina® understands the many changes in your journey kaya tumutulong ito sa Laban ni Mommy para sa Tamang Paglaki ni Baby, without the added complexity.

Embrace this wonderful journey of motherhood with a nutrition plan that supports you. With Bonina®, you’ll have a smart, easy solution that fits seamlessly into your life. Enjoy peace of mind with every glass, knowing that you’re giving yourself and your baby the best possible journey. Because great nutrition doesn’t have to be complicated; it just needs to be smart.