“Jo mann hai khao (eat whatever you wish to)” is a common phrase said to Indian women during pregnancy. But experts believe this mindset can be detrimental to the health of an expecting mother and her unborn child in the long run. Celebrity nutritionist Ryan Fernando, who devised Anushka Sharma’s pregnancy diet, revealed how her eating habits differed from those of most pregnant women in India, and where many people usually go wrong.
“I made Anushka ji‘s diet plan during her pregnancy. There is a specific calculation: that your weight is increasing with the growth of the fetus, and thus, you need this many calories. But in India, people often guess how many calories to consume. They say, ‘Khush rehne ke liye khao (Eat to stay happy)’ but that’s not a concrete measure,” said the nutritionist. While happiness is essential, Fernando believes that, in today’s day and age, eating according to your heart’s desire has become synonymous with eating processed food.
Adding, he mentioned, “In earlier times, such food used to be made at home, with love and natural ingredients. Instead of drinking a glass of haldi doodh, today we are drinking from a tetra pack with 3 spoons of sugar added. So please understand that it has to be a conscious effort for Indians to remain healthy.”
Taking a cue from Ryan Fernando’s statement, we found out what a dietitian suggests adding to a pregnancy diet.
It has to be a conscious effort for Indians to remain healthy.” (Source: Freepik)
What should expectant mothers add to their diet?
Rachel Deepthi, registered dietitian at GG Hospital, Fertility & Women’s Speciality Centre, Chennai, shared that pregnancy nutrition is highly individualised, varying based on health status, the number of babies, and gestational age. Pregnant women need to seek personalised advice from a registered expert to ensure their specific nutritional needs are met.
“During pregnancy, protein needs increase, but it’s crucial to balance protein intake with complex carbohydrates for optimal nutrition. A diet rich in complex carbs from whole grains, high-quality proteins from eggs, chicken, fish, mutton, and omega-3 fatty acids from nuts, seeds, and fish offers well-rounded nourishment,” she told indianexpress.com, adding that this combination supports both maternal health and fetal development throughout pregnancy.
Cravings for non-nutritive foods during pregnancy often indicate that daily nutritional needs for micronutrients and macronutrients are not being met. “Women with poor nutrition are at higher risk of delivering babies with small gestational age (SGA) or low birth weight (LBW), which can lead to health complications, including infections, stunted growth, and, in adulthood, a higher risk of metabolic diseases like diabetes and hypertension,” she further explained.
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*DISCLAIMER:This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.*
