Nutrition, nutrition, and more nutrition!
That is what’s most important when you are pregnant, because honey, you are growing a baby in your womb!
Eating for two does not mean eating junk or merely satisfying cravings. It is so pivotal to ensure you receive sufficient proteins, healthy fat, vitamins and minerals, fibres, and complex carbohydrates.
One of the most essential minerals you need during pregnancy is calcium. It helps form your baby’s bones and maintain your skeletal health. If you do not take enough, your body will deplete its stores to provide for your baby, putting you at risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Nope, not interested in osteoporosis!
Many people associate calcium loading with drinking milk. But with so many choices of milk to choose from, which is the best for expectant mums?
Have you ever considered soy milk?
It Powers the Preggers!
Some are wary about taking soy milk during pregnancy because of rumoured side effects. Gasp!
But we are here to tell you that soy milk is safe and filled with the nutrition needed for you and your baby (more of this below). We do not advise you chugging on soy milk every time you are thirsty, but a glass a day does keep bone fragility at bay.
Fairer Skin? Really?
As Asians, we are expected to practise the pregnancy taboos set by our elders. One of them involves drinking soy milk.
“Drinking soy milk makes the baby’s skin fairer. Drinking coffee makes the baby’s skin darker.”
Is that true? Well, nope… this is definitely a myth. However, based on numerous scientific research, Vitamin E found in soya beans do play a role in improving skin health.
It is 2020, ladies, and if this statement is true, it should not matter anyway because the amount of melanin on the skin should not be a yardstick for beauty or self-worth.
Alas, the statement is also inaccurate because the colour of our skin lies in our DNA, and we are thankful that soy milk (and coffee) is powerless in changing our genetics.
Health Benefits during Pregnancy
Despite not giving us the power to determine the skin colour of our kin, soy milk offers loads of health benefits to expectant mums:
- Soy milk has a high amount of folic acid content. It plays a vital role in preventing brain and spine defects.
- For those who are lactose intolerant, soy milk is a popular plant-based alternative to cow’s milk. It helps to reduce the risks of your child’s allergy to milk and it is also a great option to get your protein requirements.
- Omega-3 is abundant in soy milk and is essential for brain development of the fetus.
- As stated earlier, you need to pump up your calcium intake during pregnancy to supply for both you and your baby. Most soy milk is fortified with calcium to match the total amount present in cow’s milk.
- As you get closer to your due date, most expectant mums will worry about birth weight and premature delivery. Taking sufficient iron (also present in soy milk) even before conception will help reduce the risk.
- Soy milk can prevent the development of diabetes during pregnancy. Scientists have found this compound named isoflavones in soy that helps to lower the risks of diabetes and heart disease. It controls blood sugar levels and can even improve glucose tolerance in people with diabetes.
- If you tire easily during your pregnancy, it is normal. However, soy milk can help boost energy when you are feeling drained. The riboflavin, carbs, and good fats in the soy milk help replenish your depleted energy tank so you can continue to power through the day.
- Have you ever experienced crying-for-no-reason days during pregnancy? Because of the hormones that are bustling around and about in your body, it can cause mood swings. Soy milk can help counter this as it is rich in vitamin B complex and magnesium, known to neutralise mood swings and promote the release of happy hormones in the body.
Health Benefits when Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is tough for many mums, and most are so consumed by it that it sometimes becomes difficult to focus on the nutrition they are putting in their bodies. If you are a breastfeeding mum or will be breastfeeding soon, we would like to suggest drinking a glass of soy milk daily. You need that extra protein to help fuel milk production and replenish your energy.
You can also snack on food rich in soy like:
- Edamame: Get it frozen and heat it; it is so easy and nutritious.
- Miso: Cooking with miso paste is easy and makes food really delicious.
- Tofu: It tastes amazing when steamed and topped with stir-fried meat and sauces.
- Tempeh: Roasted tempeh with rice and sambal is amazing!
V-Soy
Among the soy-rich options, the most convenient to grab is soy milk because it is readily available. As working mums, we do not have the liberty to include every dietary recommendation into our diet through home-cooked meals.
And that is why we recommend grabbing a V-Soy
Why V-Soy
V-Soy
The next time you are out at the grocery store, remember to cart V-Soy
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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