| Protein Protein is the building substance of life. Your baby's body will need protein for basic growth, as well as for many biologic functions. Perhaps when God knit us together in the womb, He was using protein! Complete vs. Partial Protein Just because the label says that there is protein, that does not necessarily mean you will be able to deliver that nutrient to your child in an effective way. In order for protein to be used for the building of cells, it must be a complete protein. Protein is made up of amino acids in various combinations, depending on the source. Nine of these proteins are called "essential" amino acids. If all nine of those amino acids are present, it is considered to be a complete protein. If, however, there are some lacking, the body will not benefit from their ingestion. You must make sure that the food you eat has all nine amino acids for your protein to count. "How in the world can I do this?" you ask. It is really rather easy. If you are eating food that is lacking all nine amino acids, you combine it with another food that has the amino acid that is needed to complete the protein. Once in the digestive tract, all amino acids mingle together and the nine essentials form one complete protein. You also might want to consider the Biological Value (BV) of the protein that you choose, meaning not only how rich it is in essential amino acids, but also how well it can be digested by the intestines. Animal proteins are around 95 percent digestible while plant proteins range between 80 and 90 percent digestible. Additionally, animal proteins usually are a complete protein, while plant protein is often missing one or more of the essential amino acids. Any good sensible diet that includes a variety of quality food will be enough to provide complete nutrition for your baby. It is very important to eat a well balanced diet made up of all the nutrients found in the chart on the left. You also must evaluate the quality of the source of these nutrients. Microwaved, prepackaged, dehydrated, preserved, and just-add-water type foods are less than desirable for your baby. Make changes to include fresh fruits and vegetables that have live beneficial enzymes that are great for energy. If you can, purchase organic food, and food that is in it's original state, not processed. Whole food, grown in nutrient-rich soil, and free from preservatives and pesticides will nourish you and your baby's body. |
| Protein Chart Food Portion Protein Size (Grams) Beans, refried 1 cup 16 Bread 1 slice 3 Beef, round roast 3 oz 25 Broccoli ½ cup 3 Cheese (any variety) 1 oz 8 Chicken, white meat 3.5 oz 31 Cottage Cheese ½ cup 14 Egg (Whole) 1 6 Frankfurter 2 oz 7 Halibut 3 oz 18 Milk (Skim, Whole) 1 cup 8 Milk (2%) 1 cup 12 Pasta 1 cup 5 Peanut Butter 1 Tbsp 4 Rice (brown, cooked) 1 cup 5 Tofu 100 grams 9 Tuna in oil 3 oz 24 Turkey, light 3 oz 28 Yogurt 1 cup 8 |
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| Recommended Daily Allowance for Pregnancy Vitamin A 800mcg Vitamin B6 2.2mg Vitamin B12 2.2mcg Vitamin C 70mg Vitamin D 10mcg Vitamin E 10mg Vitamin K 65mcg Calcium 1200 mg Folate 250mcg Iodine 200mcg Iron (Ferrous) 15mg Magnesium 355mg Niacin 25mg Phosphorous 1200mg Protein 65mg Riboflavin 1.5mg Thiamine 1.5mg Zinc 19mg Adapted from http://www.obgyn.net/pb/articles/RDA_Preg.htm |
Histidine Alanine Isoluecine Arginine Leucine Asparagine Lysine Aspartate Methionine Cysteine Phyenylalanine Glutamate Threonine Glutamine Tryptophan Glycine Valine Proline Serine Tyrosine |
| Combining Foods to Make A Complete Protein GROUP #1 "Breads, Cereals, Grains" Bread, Rice, Wholewheat products & Wholegrain cereals These include: breakfast cereal, pasta, spaghetti, noodles, wheat products, flour products, etc. Any item from group # 1 above to be combined with any item from the three groups below. GROUP # 2 "Legumes" Peas, Beans & Lentils: These include: all dried beans & peas - aduki, kidney, runner, soya, chick peas, mushy peas, processed peas, baked beans, petit pois, beansprouts GROUP # 3 "Vegetables" Potatoes & other Vegetables - including frozen vegetables GROUP # 4 Nuts & Seed Walnuts, Cashews, Peanuts, etc Sunflower, Sesame & other seeds |
Christian Nutritional Links
LiveRite
Naturally Healthy
Hallelujah Acres
Birthing Naturally
Food to Avoid During Pregnancy
LiveRite
Naturally Healthy
Hallelujah Acres
Birthing Naturally
Food to Avoid During Pregnancy
This web page is published for expecting parents and professionals alike,
who acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the guiding strength during this time of Joy!
who acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ as the guiding strength during this time of Joy!
© Copyright 2004 - 2005 Cascade Christian Childbirth Association
Last update: October 2005
Last update: October 2005
Cascade Christian Childbirth Association
| Nutrition |
