How to Boost Haemoglobin During Pregnancy By Following a Healthy Diet
All the expecting mommies, we know you are all excited to feel your little angel growing in the womb, but there is a lot more to handle and keep things in place.
Pregnancy is a roller coaster ride since you have to manage everything, like physical change, mental stability, and hormonal fluctuations, while simultaneously ensuring that the developing fetus gets all the nutrients.
Indeed, every mom-to-be wants to do everything good for the baby, but do you realize that in order to achieve this target, you need to first take ample care of yourself? After all, the fetus will get all the nutrition from you and how well you have maintained your health.
So, now that we have talked about your health and wellness let us highlight a crucial aspect of your journey: the significance of hemoglobin and foods in increasing hemoglobin levels during pregnancy.
Understanding Hemoglobin and Its Role in Pregnancy
During pregnancy, whenever your blood tests are done, you will often see your healthcare consultant looking at the hemoglobin levels in the report. This simply implies its importance, so it becomes necessary to understand its role in your wellbeing during pregnancy and the impact on the growth and development of the baby.
Hemoglobin is a vital protein in the red blood cells, and it transports oxygen to the tissues and body parts. Hence, during pregnancy, this is also responsible for adequate oxygen supply to the fetus. Thus, you need to put in your best efforts to maintain a healthy hemoglobin level.
During pregnancy, the blood volume increases in the body, which also means higher iron levels are required to make the desired amount of hemoglobin without fail. So, here is how to improve haemoglobin during pregnancy and keep things on track.
Undoubtedly, blood tests are the best way of knowing if your hemoglobin levels are accurate, but still, you should be aware of some common symptoms that indicate low hemoglobin in your blood. This will help you confer timely expert assistance and avoid any complications.
There are several reasons for low hemoglobin, but the most common is deficiency in vitamin B-12 and iron. Also, certain underlying health conditions like thyroid, blood cancer, liver or kidney disease, or thalassemia can cause lower hemoglobin, which can lead to severe problems during pregnancy if left unattended. Here are some symptoms associated with low hemoglobin:
- If you feel lethargic and have muscle weakness throughout the day,
- Irregular and heavy heart palpitations.
- Fatigue and constant headache.
- Bleeding gums and pale skin.
- Short and uneasy breathing.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms for a few days, it is best to connect with the doctor and get a thorough checkup done. We urge you not to neglect such a situation, as this may be fatal to your baby.
The doctor will analyze your condition and discuss what food to eat to increase haemoglobin during pregnancy. If you make the required changes on time, the recovery will be quick, and you will evade any health complications that may demand added medication.
Diet Tips from Experts for a Stress-free Pregnancy
Experts suggest that a few simple practices and a positive approach to adopting a healthy diet and lifestyle can make a significant difference, which will ensure that you have a stress-free pregnancy period and an easy childbirth process.
Tip 1: Incorporate Amaranth into Your Diet
The very first on the list of haemoglobin boosting foods for pregnant women is Amaranth. It is a boon for pregnant women; however, it is usually neglected since most people are unaware of its benefits. Also, it is not considered a staple grain in the Indian diet when compared to wheat and rice.
Amaranth is a hidden powerhouse of protein, vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, and, more significantly, iron and folic acid. These support the baby’s development throughout pregnancy and help you stay healthy. The vitamin C in Amaranth facilitates the protection of cells and eliminates free radicals. Below are some health benefits of consuming Amaranth which will encourage you to incorporate it into your meals:
- Promotes cardiovascular wellbeing
- Promotes gut health
- Better vision and healthy skin
- Anti-cancer properties
- Healthy teeth and bones
Some Amaranth Recipes: You can consume both Amaranth leaves and seeds, which makes them versatile food options. You can stir-fry the leaves, steam them, or mix them with the lentils or soups. The seeds can be sprouted and added to soups and breads.
Tip 2: Include Moth Beans in Your Meals
When discussing the food items to increase haemoglobin during pregnancy, another unique food is moth beans. It is a staple legume that is consumed in different forms across India. Oblong, green, or reddish-brown pulses are rich in minerals, calcium, carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins.
These are all essential for fetal development. It also supports fetus weight gain, which ensures that your baby is born healthy and hearty. Apart from the crucial role in hemoglobin production, there are some other benefits associated with including moth beans in your diet plan:
- Stronger bones
- Immunity booster
- Reduces stress
- Supports healthy heart
Some Moth Beans Recipes: Moth beans can be consumed in several ways, one of which is misal pav, which is a very popular dish. You can also use them in pulao, sprout them, or make them into flour and mix them in your regular flour in appropriate proportions.
One tip for cooking moth beans is soaking them overnight since these are hard and take a lot of time to cook.
Tip 3: Harness the Power of Beetroot
Beetroot is the next food that helps in boosting haemoglobin during pregnancy. It is a root vegetable that is available year-round. With remarkable nutritional content, pregnant women should include it in their diet. It contains high levels of vitamins, magnesium, iron, folic acid, and more.
Apart from the hemoglobin boost, there are several other benefits of adding beetroot to the diet. It is also antioxidant-rich, which boosts immunity and keeps you safe from infections. This promotes hemoglobin levels in the blood, which is also crucial for fetal nervous system growth.
Some beetroot recipes: Beetroot can be cooked into a yummy vegetable recipe or eaten raw and mixed with other vegetables. If you don’t wish to consume it that way, just make it into juice, and you will relish it.
Tip 4: Embrace the Benefits of Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a fruit commonly consumed in our country. It is considered a superfood and healthy option for every age group, from kids to older people. When it comes to pregnant women, it is definitely a great option to include it in their diet. A storehouse of antioxidants, it is an anti-inflammatory food that keeps your digestive system on track.
Pomegranate keeps your hemoglobin and iron levels high, so your healthcare expert will always be happy to see your reports, and your baby will enjoy the health benefits. Some additional benefits of introducing pomegranate in your daily diet plan are:
- Avoid anemic conditions.
- Prevents cellular damage due to digestive problems.
- Eliminates preeclampsia: a high blood pressure condition that occurs during pregnancy.
- Promotes growth and supports full-term birth.
Thus, if you wish to avoid premature childbirth, consider consuming this magical fruit without any concerns.
Some pomegranate recipes: The simplest way to consume pomegranate is to peel it and eat it every day. You can also extract juice from it and mix it with other fruit juices for a delicious drink. Some people love pomegranate seeds sprinkled on salads.
Tip 5: Incorporate Tamarind Pulp into Your Diet
If you want to comprehend how to boost hemoglobin during pregnancy, you will find tamarind on this list, which may be surprising for you initially, but once you know the benefits associated with this item, you will find ways to incorporate it into your diet.
Tamarind is a common plant that is grown across India, and it is widely used in food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries. The medicinal properties of this item include a range of active compounds, the iron content of which is high and extremely beneficial for the blood.
It supports adequate red blood cell levels, which ensures that your muscles and organs function efficiently. During pregnancy, if you consume tamarind, you evade iron deficiency. Some additional benefits of consuming tamarind are:
- Tamarind reduces body temperature and helps in treating fever.
- If you are facing issues like diarrhea and constipation, tamarind will render an effective solution.
- With great anti-inflammatory properties, tamarind reduces swelling and pain in the body.
- Your blood sugar levels are significantly high during pregnancy, and if you consume tamarind, you can maintain them and avoid diabetes.
- It has antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Some tamarind recipes: If you love the tangy taste, prepare a jaggery and tamarind chutney and consume it with meals. You can also use tamarind in your recipes according to your taste buds. One very popular recipe that is widely used in India is tamarind pops, which can be easily made at home by combining tamarind pulp and ground sugar.
How to Plan Your Meals in Advance
Plan your meals in advance and keep one new food on the menu for at least two to three days in a row so that you know the real cause in case of any concern.
Whenever you plan to incorporate a new food item into your diet, the best approach is to start with small quantities so that if some problem arises, it does not harm you or your baby adversely.
If you have already had a problem in the past, please refrain from consuming the particular food despite its nutritional value. For the best diet routine, you can ask your doctor for guidance as he is the best person who knows the exact foods for particular conditions.
Your only aim should be a balanced diet, staying happy, and preparing your body for childbirth. Hence, we recommend that you focus on a balanced diet and exercise. If you still have any concerns, browse through the R for Rabbit website for some valuable tips on every possible topic about pregnancy, childbirth, or child nurturing.
What to do when you are Stuck While Pregnancy Phases
Here are some ways you can use whenever you feel stuck or are anxious about anything:
- Search for specific topics online as it is an unlimited source of information.
- Join moms-to-be groups where like-minded women share their views and help each other through discussions and queries.
- Attend online sessions on pregnancy and childbirth to have clarity on what you can do to stay stress-free.
- Talk to your family and relatives as they render the desired emotional and physical support to you during this phase.
- Last but not least, connect with your doctor and discuss your concerns to find the best solutions.
One important tip that we want to highlight here is that every expecting mommy has a different body type and system. Hence, there may be some rare cases where the foods will not suit or cause allergies, constipation, or acidity, making it difficult. Thus, you need to hear your body’s response after you consume a particular food.
We understand that it is overwhelming to know so many foods that can support your baby’s development and your wellbeing, but we recommend you go slow rather than experimenting by incorporating all of them in a single day.
Key Takeaways
During pregnancy, what you eat and how you feel makes a huge difference as it directly impacts the baby’s wellbeing. While there are several fruits and veggies that doctors recommend you to take, there will be others that you need to avoid completely or consume in limited quantities.
Haemoglobin levels should be right throughout your pregnancy; hence, be very sure of what to eat during pregnancy to increase haemoglobin. In case of any confusion, you can explore R for Rabbit blogs to attain accurate information and guidance since you will always have some apprehensions during pregnancy phases.