Nutrition During Pregnancy – High-Calcium Recipes

Calcium intake is important for developing healthy bones and teeth. This intake is even more vital when a woman is pregnant.

If you think about it, it should make sense to you that an expectant mother will require more calcium. Not only does she need the usual amount of calcium for herself, but there is a little person developing inside her. And this little person is growing and developing and growing bones. Calcium will also help develop a healthy heart, nerves and muscles.

This probably is not news to parents, but babies are selfish. They haven’t yet learned the concept of altruism and sharing. If a mother comes up short on her calcium intake, her child will rob it from her body. This could result in illness later on for the mother.

A good way to make sure you get more of the calcium that is vital to proper nutrition during pregnancy is to prepare foods that are high in this element. Here is a recipe for leak and potato soup
• 4 to 5 leeks
• 2 potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 cup thinly sliced celery
• 4 cups low sodium chicken stock
• 2 cups fat-free milk
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• White pepper

Cut the leeks at both ends, removing the roots and tops, before cutting them in halves horizontally.
Divide the segments and wash until all foreign matter is removed.
Cut the plants into smaller pieces, about an inch or so in length.
Mix the leeks, potatoes, celery and stock in a sauce pan.
Heat the mixture until boiling and skim the top.
Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered. Allow time for the vegetable to become tender.
Mash the ingredients.
At this point, it is time to pour in the milk.
Re-warm the soup and add the parsley and pepper when serving.

Remember sufficient nutrition during pregnancy is important and there are plenty other high-calcium recipes to help a mother keep up her intake.