What nutrients should be supplemented during the second trimester of pregnancy?
Disease description:
I am currently in my second trimester of pregnancy. I've noticed that my friends are boosting their nutrition during this stage, so I'd like to know what nutrients are essential to supplement during the second trimester.
Nutrients to supplement during the second trimester of pregnancy:
Protein: Pregnant women need an additional intake of approximately 25g of protein per day. This can be achieved by consuming high-quality protein sources such as fish, chicken, legumes, eggs, and milk, which support fetal growth and development.
Calcium: The second trimester is a critical period for fetal bone development. Pregnant women should consume 1,000–1,300 mg of calcium daily. This can be supplemented through foods such as milk, eggs, fish, and leafy green vegetables, which help in forming and strengthening the fetal skeleton.
Iron: To support the fetus's blood supply and brain development, pregnant women should consume around 30 mg of iron per day. This can be obtained by eating foods such as red meat, leafy green vegetables, and legumes.