Liquid Health

Smart Nutrition for Thirsty Moms

By Dr. Aneema Van Groenou

Now that you are pregnant, you may be more conscious than ever about what you eat. Sure, you need a balanced diet to nurture your pregnancy and your growing baby, but believe it or not, you really need to watch what you drink, too.

What you drink also rounds out your diet – you can get lots of essential vitamins and minerals from fluids.

Or not. Many common drinks are full of "empty" calories – calories without any nutritional benefit. And beware: Some drinks could actually harm your fetus.

Anything that goes into your stomach (food, fluids and medications) gets absorbed into your bloodstream and is sent around your body for use and storage. This means it also goes to the placenta – and into your fetus' bloodstream. So if you drink a lot of water, your fetus also stays hydrated. If you eat or drink something sweet, your fetus' blood sugar levels go up, too. If you eat enough calcium, your fetus is able to build strong bones. And if you drink something that's bad for your body, it's likely it's bad for your baby-to-be as well.

Not drinking enough can have serious consequences. If you are dehydrated, you are more susceptible to heat exhaustion, cold illness and altitude illness. Dehydration is also the most preventable cause of preterm labor. If you are dehydrated, you are also more likely to suffer from headaches, urinary infections, constipation, dry skin, hemorrhoids and fatigue. So you should take drinking seriously, especially during pregnancy. But remember to choose your drinks with care.

The best way for you to stay hydrated is to drink plenty of water. Water has no calories or sweeteners and is absolutely essential to your health. Water is second only to oxygen in terms of human survival. Most of your fluid intake should be water – plain, cool water.

Now that you are expecting, you sweat more and, therefore, you actually need more water. Drink at least 10 glasses a day. If you are exercising, drink about a liter of water every hour. Drink even if you don't feel thirsty. Once you feel thirsty, you are already somewhat dehydrated. The best way to keep track of your hydration is to watch your urine: If it is dark yellow or if you urinate less than once every four hours, you need to drink more water.

Want to see more?

• Eating for Two
• Nutrition is Key: Prevent Complications and Give Birth to a Healthier Baby
• Pregnancy During the Holidays: Avoiding the Extra Sweets and Treats of the Season
• Talk about it!