Protein is a macronutrient that consists of long chains of amino acids that is very important to our body. Protein plays many vital functions. It is a building block of life.
Protein is needed in the development of cells, tissues and organs in the body. It also plays roles in metabolism and hormone regulations. It can be found in a variety of foods such as meat, egg, lentils, fish, milk, yogurt and etc.
Everyone needs protein, including mums. Pregnant mums, breastfeeding mums, or busy mums need more protein than anyone else in the household. Why? Here is the explanation.
Why Do Pregnant Mum Needs Protein?
Making a baby is hard work. Most of the time pregnant mothers will feel tired, nausea, body aching and many other changes happen to the mother’s body.
This is why increasing extra nutrients in their diet is essential to support the development of a healthy fetus and a healthy mother.
Besides adding more vitamins and minerals to the diet, protein too is an important key nutrient to support the pregnancy milestones.
Protein plays a vital role in the development of the growing baby and the mother’s physiology. Protein helps with the development of the tissues, organs, bones, muscle, hair and nails of the fetus.
While for the mother, protein plays important roles too such as regulating hormones and helps with the growing uterus and breast tissue.
Pregnant mothers are recommended to consume 75g – 100g of protein per day. Protein deficiency during pregnancy will cause mothers to have unnecessary weight gain, reduce muscle and bone mass, and several complications.
The Importance of Protein for Breastfeeding Mums
During breastfeeding, the baby will feed on the “ready-made” nutrients from the mother’s body. Hence, the mother needs extra nutrients to compensate with the additional demands from her own body and for the baby.
The need for protein does not stop at pregnancy period. After delivery, a mother needs protein to help with the recovery. And for breastfeeding, protein helps with the production of the milk.
Studies suggest that an increased intake of protein in a mum’s diet will help to increase the volume of the milk. As milk is the only food for the baby under 6 months, high protein content in mum’s milk will help with the growth of the baby including the development of the cell, bones and brain.
The World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding mothers to take extra 17g of protein every day especially during the first 6 months of breastfeeding. Plus point is, a diet rich in protein could help with losing extra baby weight!
Mum, please do not neglect your health,
And for the multitasking mums who are taking care of the kids and family while doing house chores and having a career, they need more protein for their body too.
Intake of protein will help to sustain her energy level, maintain her physical strength and immune system.
In a nutshell, the mother is the heart of the family. Often they neglect their needs over the children’s priority. Little that she knows, she too needs to take care of her body in order for her to take care of others.