Home » Food and Nutrition during Pregnancy » Intake of Carbohydrates Intake of Carbohydrates during pregnancy should be increased. Pregnancy is a condition when the cells in the fetus undergo division that help in the growth of the baby.

About Intake of Carbohydrates:

The energy requirement during pregnancy increases to 300 calorie per day. Carbohydrates are the richest source of energy. Carbohydrates are broken down within the body to liberate energy. The intake of carbohydrates during pregnancy should be increased to meet the requirement of energy. A diet that is low in carbohydrate can result in the breaking down of proteins to liberate energy.

The proteins are not utilized for the development of the nerves and the brain of the child. The proteins are required for the development of the fetus. The brain development of the child in the fetus occurs due to the proteins that are taken from the food.

The inadequate intake of carbohydrates during pregnancy can result in derivation of energy from fat. The fats are broken down to liberate energy. The fats are converted to ketone bodies when they undergo biochemical reactions to release energy. Information on Intake of Carbohydrates:

The ketone bodies damage the cells of the brain of the child in the fetus. The equilibrium of the acid and the base is also disrupted in the fetus. The fetal growth is hampered as a result of the liberation of the ketone bodies from the metabolism of the fats.

It is advisable to take adequate quantity of carbohydrates during pregnancy. The carbohydrates play a vital role in meeting the energy requirements of the pregnant woman.

Some of the carbohydrates contain vitamins that fall under the category of vitamin B. The vitamin B complexes are required for keeping anemia at bay. Some of the minerals that are found in the carbohydrates are selenium, zinc etc. The minerals are also required for the embryonic development and prevention of anemia.

Some of the food items that are rich in carbohydrates are rice, wheat, pasta, cereals,rye etc. The carbohydrate intake during pregnancy ensures that the proteins and the fats are properly utilized for their respective functions.

The pregnant woman should have an intake of 175 grams of carbohydrates on a single day according to Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). The adequate intake of carbohydrates also helps in the prevention of the dip in the blood glucose level.

The women who are not taking adequate quantity of carbohydrates during pregnancy may deliver underweight babies. Folic acid is the most important vitamin that is found in diets rich in carbohydrates. Folic acid helps in the formation of the red blood cell in the body. Folic acid is also required for the proper development of the nervous system and the brain.

Calcium is another mineral that is required for the development of the bones and the teeth. Calcium is present in diary products that are rich in carbohydrates.

Some of the women suffer from gestational diabetes during pregnancy. The members of the medical fraternity improve the function of the insulin hormone by giving a diet containing carbohydrates that do not have high glycemic index. Glycemic Index measures the influence of carbohydrates on blood sugar and insulin. Food items with low glycemic index do not elevate the level of blood sugar.

Some of the food items that have low glycemic index are milk,vegetables like peas, beans, cereals etc. The fat content of the diet of the pregnant woman suffering from gestational diabetes should be kept to a minimum level.