What should a 5 month pregnant woman eat to make her child smart?

The article was professionally consulted with BSCK I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

At the 5th month, the fetus grows very quickly and can be about 15-16 cm in length and weigh from 300-400g. The child's organs have begun to develop clearly, the skeleton and muscles are also gradually perfecting, so the nutritional needs are great.
At this stage, the mother's belly is also gradually showing more clearly, becoming more appetite but also encountering some digestive problems such as heartburn, diarrhea, constipation,... To create momentum for the development of the mother. For the development of the fetus, pregnant women need a balanced diet and pay attention to both quantity and quality. Iron and calcium are the two most easily deficient nutrients during this period that pregnant women need to pay attention to supplement.

Building the right nutrition is especially important for pregnant women during the 5th month of pregnancy. Food groups that need to be noted during this period include:
Protein-rich foods: The muscles, skin and organs of the fetus need protein to develop, so it is necessary to ensure the amount of protein for the baby to grow up healthy. strong. Protein-rich foods include chicken, pork, beef, eggs, nuts, cereals, beans,... High-fiber foods: Helps prevent or improve constipation during pregnancy through various types of foods. foods such as green leafy vegetables, cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, beets Foods rich in vitamins and minerals: Help strengthen the resistance of pregnant women through foods such as green vegetables, fruits, liver pork, pork leg, seaweed, shrimp, nuts, ... and fresh fruits such as pears, apples, bananas, kiwis, oranges, grapes, berries Calcium-containing foods: The calcium requirement of pregnant women every day falls on about 1000 mg, this is an important nutrient for the development of the fetus's skeletal system. Grains such as wheat, rice, corn, potatoes, oats, ... are rich in vitamin E, B vitamins and iron. necessary for the development of the fetus as well as to meet the nutritional needs of the mother Foods containing iron: Every day the body needs from 20-30mg of iron can be supplemented through food and taking iron tablets as directed by the doctor. doctor. Pregnant women also need to pay attention to drink a lot of water, milk at least 2 liters of water per day and 2 glasses of milk to supplement calcium for the development of the baby.

A baby's intelligence actually begins to develop while in the womb, so the foods consumed by the mother can affect her child's intelligence later in life. Foods that can help the fetus develop a good brain right from the beginning of pregnancy include:
Foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids: A type of unsaturated fatty acid that plays an important role in brain development in Children and improve visual function are found in foods such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, walnuts, sunflower,... Choline-rich foods: Very good for brain development of children. fetuses and infants. Foods rich in folic acid: As a very important nutrient in the formation of fetal brain tissue, pregnant women need to be fully supplemented both before, during and after birth. Consuming adequate amounts of folic acid can reduce the risk of neural tube defects and other abnormalities such as lips, heart, urinary tract, and limbs. Folic acid can be supplemented from foods such as dark green vegetables, cauliflower, spinach, asparagus Iodine-rich foods: Research has shown that iodine deficiency in the first 12 weeks can reduce IQ. children, in addition to causing pregnant women to have complications during pregnancy such as preeclampsia, placental abnormalities.

Foods rich in zinc: Helps build brain cells, positively affects brain development in the fetus. Pregnant women with zinc deficiency are prone to prolonged vomiting, miscarriage, pregnancy toxicity or premature birth, low birth weight. Zinc is mainly supplemented through seafood, beef, eggs, poultry, dairy, legumes, and vegetables. At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of qualified doctors Regular check-up, early detection of abnormalities Maternity package helps to facilitate the process. birthing process Newborns get comprehensive care