Weight loss and diet plan for a healthy lifestyle.

Carbohydrates

Sixty per cent of your total energy intake should be obtained from complex carbohydrates. Fresh salads, fruits and vegetables are not only nutritious but help support the organs that cleanse the blood: the kidneys and liver. These complex carbohydrate foods are high in vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy baby.

Don’t get into the habit of only eating just one type of fruit and three types of vegetables daily. This will not give the cross-section of foods needed to supply the diet with all the micro-nutrients required. Other good sources of complex carbohydrate foods are grains including rice, wheat and corn. Potatoes are another good source of carbohydrate. Take the rainbow approach to the food on your plate. Variety is the spice of life.

Protein

Protein is the second most plentiful substance in our bodies next to water. Protein builds new tissue and repairs damaged cells. Protein is also needed for the formation of hormones and enzymes which play a variety of important functions in the body.

The building of new tissue is one of the most important roles that protein plays in the developing fetus and is therefore necessary in your diet. Eggs and dairy products are the best sources of protein, followed by meat, fish, lentils and seeds. A variety of foods containing protein should be eaten each day.

Excess protein in the diet can cause kidney damage. It is therefore important not to eat high protein foods at every meal. An example of this would be using protein drinks as a meal replacement in an endeavour to keep weight down. The energy intake from protein should be around 15 per cent of your daily diet.

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