Dietary Tips for a Twin Pregnancy

If you're expecting twins, by now you have probably heard "You're not eating for two, you're eating for three!" which indicates adding 600 calories to your previous diet. It is expected your normal weight gain should be 35-45 lbs. Although some women worry about their figure during this time, however, the focus should be on attaining adequate nutrition for yourself and your unborn twins. Keep in mind that overweight women are not required to gain as much, so speak with your doctor about what is normal for you. Keep these dietary guidelines in mind as you enter your pregnancy phase. Tip: Many of these can even be adapted to a breastfeeding mom's diet!

First of all, be sure to take a daily prenatal vitamin pill that contains folic acid and iron. Most, if not all, prenatal pills will have this. However, the ones found at health food stores are easier to absorb and usually packed with more nutritional value.

Omega 3's. A diet rich in Omega 3's have shown to improve baby's eye and brain development. As an added bonus, it improves your own skin, hair, and cholesterol levels. The simplest ways to incorporate omega 3's into your diet is to take a daily pill. However, fish like tuna and salmon will do the job as well. Don't be scared off by the cautionary tales of mercury in fish being dangerous for pregnant women. This is only a danger to women who eat extremely high amounts of fish and those who eat rare species such as swordfish.

Calcium. Pregnant women and especially those pregnant with multiples need at least 1200 mg of calcium daily. Think of it as four servings of dairy or calcium-rich juice.

Iron. Iron is essential to prevent anemia during pregnancy, which is a time of being at risk. This is due to the increased blood flow so be sure to include foods such as cereals that contain iron, and proteins like meat and beans. Although spinach is high in iron, it contains an acid that prevents most of the iron from being absorbed. You could even use a cast-iron skillet to cook your foods in to absorb some extra iron.

Due to the high levels of iron in a pregnant woman's diet, there is bound to be some constipation. This is why it is even more important for a pregnant woman to have a fiber-rich diet. Fiber is becoming quite popular these days as people are beginning to see the benefits for their colons. Fiber is not only found in foods such as breads, beans and Metamucil, but also in vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.

Many will caution against the use of caffeine during pregnancy and tell you to avoid it all together. This just isn't true and can have it in moderation. It is best to limit your caffeine to one drink a day. If you are having trouble cutting down your caffeine (or quitting smoking) be sure to ask your doctor for assistance or referrals. Your baby is worth the extra effort.

Certain artificial sweeteners such as saccharin and aspartame have been shown, when used in high amounts, have caused brain defects in lab rats who consumed it. Just to be on the safe side, avoid these sweeteners and go for Splenda, or even small amounts of sugar instead.

I can't stress the importance of staying hydrated while expecting twins. Your babies deserve for you to take care of yourself with lots of water, and in turn, take care of them. For those who don't care for the plain taste of water, some people add powder drinks such as Crystal Light to their water. However, I again caution you about the artificial sweeteners used and urge you to read the labels carefully. Sure drinking more water while carrying twins means extra trips to the bathroom, but its better to drink an extra glass at get up at 4 in the morning than to skip it and place your body in danger of dehydration. After all, you're drinking (non-alcoholic drinks) for three now. :)