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By Dr Seema Sud, Dietician and
Nutrionist
Pregnancy and lactation depletes the body's iron and
calcium reserves and iron deficiency can lead to anemia.
Deficiency of vitamin B12 too, can cause anemia too. A
lactating, anaemic mother should, therefore, eat a diet
rich in iron, calcium, phosphorous, vitamin B12, vitamin
C (for better absorption of iron), and vitamin D (for
better absorption of calcium).
Sources of Iron
Spinach, leafy vegetables, green onions, radish,
carrots, tomato, potato with skin, broccoli, celery,
brinjal, beetroot, soya beans and munnakkas.
Apples, banana, dark grapes, apricots, plums and
raisins.
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And a calcium deficiency can lead to
bone related ailments like weakening of the bones and
even osteoporosis.
Sources of Calcium and Phosphorous
Beetroot, radish leaves, broccoli (highest),
Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, white cabbage (high),
carrots, celery, chickpeas, French beans, lettuce,
parsley, peas, tomato, mint, green mustard, lady's
finger and bathua.
Orange, papaya, black currants, coconut, figs,
blackberries, gooseberries, strawberries and rasberries.
Milk and milk products, fish, crab, pulses and grains,
beans, black gram dal, Bengal gram, moth beans, soya
beans, tofu, coriander seed and cumin seed, til seeds,
dried apricots, dates and currants.
Sources of B12
Milk and dairy products, paneer, eggs, beetroot
juice, carrots, spinach and tomatoes.
Sources of Vitamin C Cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli,
radish and capsicum. Orange, lemon, papaya and
guava.
Vitamin D is formed when the skin gets exposed to
sunlight.
Diet Suggestions
Morning: Seven almonds with seven munnakkas, soaked
overnight in water, and lime and honey in warm water.
Breakfast: One glass of vegetable juice made with
carrots, beetroot, one amla, tomatoes, spinach, steamed
sprouts or black chana or wholewheat dalia and one
seasonal fruit.
Mid-morning: One glass of skimmed milk.
Lunch: Roti with extra bran and one
leafy vegetable with chilka dal or legume accompanied by
dahi or buttermilk or vegetable raita.
Evening: One glass of orange juice with one baked
potato. Bake it with its skin intact.
Pre-dinner: One soup with shredded
vegetables or one bowl of salad made with lettuce,
tomato, beetroot and paneer.
Dinner: Brown rice or bran chapatti or millet roti with
seasonal leafy vegetables and a light dal.
If you are not fond of milk, you can have dahi or
buttermilk or milk made out of til seeds.
Points to remember
Avoid too much of tea or coffee, alcohol, smoking,
fried foods and snacks, maida products like noodles,
pasta, cakes, pizzas, white bread, sweets, rich curries,
fizzy drinks and junk food.
Have at least two glasses of milk in any form -- curd,
buttermilk or paneer -- everyday.
Include at least one leafy vegetable in your daily diet.
It can used in raita, as stuffing for roti, salads or in
dals.
Avoid excessive salt and refined sugar.
Drink 10-12 glasses of water everyday.
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