During this period, you will experience a range of bodily symptoms such as swelling in the hands and feet, lower back pain, stomach problems, increased vaginal discharge and even bleeding gum!

Suggested Foods

You will begin to experience hunger more frequently and intensely than you have ever felt before. Here is a list of what you should eat in the 6th month of pregnancy.

1. Vitamin C: At this stage of pregnancy, you may start to experience bleeding gums due to the high blood volume in your body. If the condition worsens, it can lead to gingivitis. Consume high amounts of vitamin C during this month, as it is essential for repairing and maintaining connective tissue throughout the body, including the tissue that connects the teeth to the gums and jawbone. Citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons and tangerines are rich in vitamin C. Other sources of vitamin C are strawberries, grapes, kale, and sweet potatoes.

2. Vegetables: The further your pregnancy progresses, the more vulnerable you are to constipation and indigestion. Research shows that most women will experience hemorrhoids during their pregnancy. The fiber found in vegetables is an important part of the 6 month pregnancy food list as it helps regular and healthy bowel movements. Along with a good amount of fiber, vegetables are also very rich in various vitamins and minerals. There is enough and a variety of vegetables for every season. So there`s no reason not to make your meals with seasonal vegetables.

3. Liquids: Remember, as a pregnant woman you are not only eating for two, you are also drinking for two. Staying hydrated means consuming at least 10-12 glasses of water a day.

4. Folic Acid: Folic acid is a complex vitamin necessary for the building of new cells. Foods rich in folic acid are whole-grain breads and cereals, green vegetables (broccoli, spinach and lettuce), flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin and sesame, peanuts and almonds. It is also found in some fruits and vegetables such as okra, peas, grapes and bananas.

5. Protein: Considering the building block of cells, protein is always welcome. Unlike carbohydrates, proteins are not immediately converted into fats to be stored for later use. Protein rich foods are dairy products, egg, legumes, lean red and white meats.

6. Carbohydrates: Like proteins, carbohydrates are an essential nutrient for daily activities. Carbohydrates are burned by the body for energy. Excess carbohydrates are converted into fat and stored in the cells. Refined carbohydrates, such as parboiled rice (without crust) and white bread, quickly turn into sugars, causing sudden increase in blood sugar levels. Therefore, it`s wise to stick with whole grain bread and brown rice. Wheat, oatmeal, and cereals are also good sources of carbohydrates.

7. Fruits: Fruits provide a variety of vitamins, minerals, and fiber to aid digestion. It also helps you stay hydrated, as water is the main ingredient in most fruits. Eating a wide variety of fruits can help you get all the micronutrients you need. For example, pears contain phosphate, vitamin C, potassium and copper; apples contain antioxidants, B-complex, iron and phytonutrients; banana includes potassium, vitamin B-6 and vitamin C.

Foods to Avoid

If consumed in the 6th month of your pregnancy, some foods may adversely affect you and your baby. Here is the list:

1. Sea Products: Some pregnant women may want to consume raw seafood like sushi, but it`s not a good idea. Most seafood contains traces of mercury because compounds containing mercury (methyl mercury) do not decompose easily in salt water, but are broken down by the action of vegetable matter in freshwater. While adults` bodies are not adversely affected by small amounts of mercury, it is best to avoid the possibility of mercury during pregnancy, as your baby`s brain is still in the early stages of development. The type of fish you will consume should be surface fish such as anchovy.

2. Caffeine: High caffeine intake has been associated with restlessness and insomnia in newborns. The mother`s caffeine intake will increase the fetal heart rate. Also, because a fetus does not have a developed system to detoxify, it remains under the influence of caffeine longer than it does in adults.

3. Soy: Phytoestrogens are compounds found in soy and some herbs used to increase fertility. Phytoestrogens take on the role of natural estrogen and bind with estrogen receptors. This makes it a useful addition for women trying to conceive. But if you`re already pregnant, these wrong hormones can negatively affect the development of your baby`s brain, genitals, and immune system.

4. Fast Food: Many pregnant women crave fatty fast food during pregnancy. The high number of calories in fast food can cause your blood sugar levels to rise and fall rapidly. These extremes can cause irritability, fatigue and, in the long run, deterioration of vital organs. Fast food can cause gestational diabetes, a condition in which pregnant women develop high blood sugar. If left unchecked, it can cause permanent fetal health problems.

5. Undercooked Meat: Always make sure you only eat well-cooked foods when eating meats. If undercooked, bacteria called listeria (found in meat) can be transferred into your body and cause listeriosis. Listeriosis is food poisoning that can result from eating contaminated vegetables, undercooked meat, and unpasteurized dairy products. It may cause miscarriage in pregnant women.

6. Spicy Food: Spicy foods are not safe for your growing baby. However, it can cause heartburn, indigestion, and general discomfort in the later stages of pregnancy.

7. Alcohol and Tobacco: It is well known that tobacco and alcohol should be completely avoided during pregnancy. In fact, it is recommended to avoid them even when trying to conceive! Because their use can seriously affect the development of your fetus.

8. Raw Egg: Raw eggs contain salmonella bacteria that can cause problems for you and the fetus. So make sure your eggs are fully cooked before consuming.

9. Soft Cheeses: Soft cheeses such as brie and camembert should also be avoided as they can cause listeria infection, which can be fatal to both mother and baby.

Tips

1. Avoid taking over the counter medications.

1. If you regularly use any medication, it is of great importance to consult your doctor about its use during pregnancy.

1. A sugar load is applied to the expectant mother in order to see the reaction of blood sugar to the body after any meal between 24-28th weeks of pregnancy. Recently, there has been a lot of information that sugar loading is harmful, but the Turkish Society of Gynecology and Obstetrics states that there is no harm in the sugar loading test, on the contrary, it is very important in terms of intervening in diabetes detected at the beginning of pregnancy. The amounts of sugar used in the sugar loading test are 50 gr, 75 gr, maximum 100 gr. It may vary according to the situation. To give a small example, two slices of baklava contain 50 grams of sugar. Mothers who do not want to have this test may think as follows; This amount of sugar is taken daily from packaged foods, bakery products, chocolates and homemade milk desserts. But the decision is yours! Expectant mothers who do not have a sugar challenge test should arrange their nutrition plans as if they have diabetes. If there is a problem in these people, as the cause is unknown, it becomes difficult to intervene and danger develops. This can lead to sudden infant death.

1. Food cravings are a natural part of pregnancy! Have healthy appetites for fruits, vegetables and nuts!

1. It is normal to crave fatty fast food during pregnancy and other times. Try to keep these cravings no more than once a week and in small portions. If possible, do not consume at all.

1. Make sure you take all your vitamin supplements as they can play a big role in your hunger situation.

1. A few nutritional suggestions for summer pregnant women: When you get tired of the heat, you can squeeze and drink the fruits fresh. Definitely stay away from acidic drinks, what do you need anyway? Another way to consume fruits and vegetables is to prepare smoothies. You can feast on colorful smoothies, especially during snacks. Okay, this is something everyone knows, but let`s remind you anyway: Wash fruits and vegetables very well before eating and squeezing them. There may be hundreds of bacteria on them.

1. Special nutritional recommendations for winter pregnant women: Smoothies are not only made with summer fruits; you can even make smoothies with green leafy vegetables, which are rich in folic acid. Just add yogurt or milk to vegetables. And add honey/molasses instead of sugar to sweeten it, please. In order to increase your resistance to diseases in winter, you should consume plenty of legumes as well as fruits and vegetables. In addition to squeezing and drinking fruits such as tangerine, orange, grapefruit, you can also use it in salads by slicing.

Gestational Diabetes and Nutrition in Pregnancy

The diet of expectant mothers with gestational diabetes is very important. First of all, a personalized nutrition plan should be created and implemented. 12-15% of the daily energy should come from proteins, 55-60% from carbohydrates and 25-30% from fats.

The energy to be taken daily varies according to the age, height, weight and special conditions of the person. We recommend that you consult your nutritionist.

Nutritional Recommendations for Gestational Diabetes

1. For gestational diabetes that occurs during pregnancy, you should first arrange your meals and take care to eat at the same time every day.

1. You should have 3 main 3-4 snacks during the day.

1. Fruit can lower blood sugar too quickly and raise it too quickly; For this reason, when you choose fruit in your snacks, try to consume a food from the protein group.

1. Prefer whole grain products in your daily diet and take care to take complex carbohydrates.

1. You should not neglect to drink plenty of water.

1. You should prefer foods rich in fiber and pulp.

1. You can do physical activity according to the recommended extent in consultation with your doctor.

Sample Nutrition List for Gestational Diabetes – 1

Breakfast:

1. 2 slices of low-fat feta cheese (1 slice of cheese + 1 boiled egg once a week)

1. Tomatoes, cucumbers, lots of greens

1. 2 whole walnuts or 6 olives

1. 2-3 slices of whole grain bread

1. 1 glass of water

Late Morning:

1. 1 portion of fruit

1. 1 glass of milk

Noon:

1. 1 bowl of soup

1. Chicken/meatballs or fish (grilled or oven-baked) up to 4-6 meatballs

1. Salad with plenty of greens

1. 1 bowl of yogurt or tzatziki

1. 2 slices of whole grain bread

Midafternoon 1:

1. Toast with feta cheese and plenty of greens

1. 1 glass of ayran

Midafternoon 2:

1. 1 portion of fruit

1. 5-6 hazelnuts

Evening:

1. 1 bowl of soup

1. 8 tablespoons of vegetable dish

1. 1 bowl of yoghurt / 1.5 glasses of ayran / 1 bowl of tzatziki

1. Salad with plenty of greens

1. 2 thin slices of whole grain bread or 4-5 tablespoons of bulgur pilaf

Night:

1. 1 portion of fruit

1. 1 bowl of yogurt