Control your sugar in the 3rd trimester for an easier birth

Eating too many sugary foods in the third trimester can make Your Child gain excessive weight.

It is therefore essential for you to eat a balanced diet that supplies your developing Your Child with the right nutritional support. 

Growth in third trimester
There are three stages or trimesters in pregnancy. The third and last trimester is a critical time for growth, as the developing fetus will gain almost half its weight in this three-month period. Besides, it is essential for brain and lung formation. The food you eat directly impacts Your Child’s weight. So proper, balanced nutrition is of primary importance for your health and that of Your Child’s. 

The American Pregnancy Association recommends gaining around 0.5 kg per week during the seventh and eighth months of pregnancy. However, your weight may stabilize or even decrease slightly in the ninth month. If you eat too many refined carbohydrates and sugary foods during this period, it can negatively impact Your Child’s health.

Sugar can make Your Child too big
The sugar you eat can cross the placenta and enter Your Child, raising the blood sugar levels. This causes Your Child to produce excessive amounts of the hormone insulin, which induces fat formation. Thus, high sugar intake and the resultant extra insulin cause Your Child to grow too large, a condition called macrosomia. 

A large baby makes delivery more difficult and can increase the risk of health problems and injury for both the mother and the baby during the delivery.

Your third-trimester nutritional requirements

Calories: Now that you’ve reached the final trimester – you can take an additional 200kcal a day.

Proteins: You can keep eating a variety of protein-rich foods, since your protein requirements are higher than your pre-pregnancy needs.

Folic acid: You need more folic acid just like in the 2nd trimester, so include green leafy veggies and whole grains in your diet, and check the labels of your breakfast cereals to make sure they’re fortified with added vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D: You need vitamin D supplements throughout the pregnancy to ensure you meet your increased requirements. Eat oily fish, eggs, and fortified breakfast cereals to give your vitamin D levels an extra boost.

Vitamin C: You need 25 percent more vitamin C this trimester, so include at least one vitamin C-rich fruit, such as citrus fruits (clementines, grapefruit) and berries (strawberries, blueberries, blackcurrants) per day.

Vitamin A: The requirements are slightly raised as in the previous trimesters, so include a variety of fruits, vegetables and low fat dairy products. But avoid liver and liver-containing products as they contain high levels of vitamin A, which can be toxic for your baby.