Nutrition & The Food Pyramid

It is said that if we educate ourselves more about nutrition, than about weight loss we are more likely to maintain a fit mind in a fit body. The Food Pyramid then is more about eating a variety of foods, from each of the major food groups inclusive of (Water):

1: Carbohydrates

2: Protiens

3: Fats

4: Vitamins

5: Minerals

For a balanced diet, one must aim to have the following food groups in this quantity:

1: Sugars & Fats --- 1 Serving

2: Protien and Dairy Foods ---- 2-3 Servings

3: Fruit & Vegetables ---- 5 Servings

4: Starchy Foods ---- 4-5 Servings

LEVEL 1 : Sugars & Fats:

Foods containing sugars and fats are at the top of the pyramid. These include butter, cooking oils, oil-based dressings, ice cream, pastries, confectionery and certain soft drinks and should be eating sparingly as they are high in fat or refined carbohydrates such as sugar and honey. Altough they make food taste good, too much fat raises blood cholesterol levels. Sugars provide calories yet few nutrients and too much sugar can result in weight gain and tooth decay.

LEVEL 2: Protein and Dairy Foods:

Protien can come from animal sources (meat, fish, eggs, milk, cheese and yogurt) or vegetable sources such as beans, lentils and seeds. Meat, Fish and alternatives provide protein, iron, zinc, magnesium and some B Vitamins, especially B12. Milk and dairy foods supply our bodies with protein, calcium and zinc and Vitamins B12, B2, A and D. Try to choose lean cuts of meat and low fat dairy products to avoid too high an intake of fat. Similarly, certain nuts and seeds are high in saturated fat so they should be eaten in moderation.

LEVEL 3: Fruit and Vegetables:

These provide fibre and some carbohydrates, as well as many of the vitamins and minerals that are essential for our bodies to function efficiently. In terms of their nutritional value, it is best to eat fruits and vegetables when fresh, altough certain varieties are fine frozen too. Canned produce and dried fruit also do provide some of the nutrients needed.

LEVEL 4: Starchy Foods:

The large base section of the pyramid contains the staple, starchy, carbohydrate foods that should provide the major source of energy in the diet. These include cereals (such as wheat, rye, oats, barley, millet), rice and products made from them, such as bread, pasta, noodles, cornmeal and breakfast cereals. Other staple carbohydrate foods in this group include potatoes, yams and other starchy vegetables. All the foods in this group are rich in nutrients supplying fibre, B vitamins and some calcium and iron as well as carbohydrates.

Yoga for Pregnancy - Trimester 3

1. Ardha Titali Asan (Half Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the right leg and place the right foot as far up on the left thigh as possible. Place the right hand on top of the bent right knee.
Hold the toes of the right foot with the left hand. While breathing in, gently move the right knee up towards the chest. Breathing out, gently push the knee down and try to touch the floor. The trunk should not move. Movement of leg should be achieved by the exertion of the right arm. Repeat with left leg. Slowly practice about 10 up and down movements with each leg. DO NOT STRAIN.
Benefits: It is an excellent practice for loosening of hip and knee joints, which shall enable faster delivery.
2. Poorna Titali Asan (Full Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together, keeping the heels as close to the body as possible. Fully relax the inner thighs. Clasp the feet with both hands. Gently bounce the knees up and down, using the elbows as levers to press the legs down.
Do not use any force. Repeat up to 20-30 times. Straighten the legs and relax.
Benefits: Tension from inner thigh muscles is relieved. Removes tiredness from legs.
3. Supta UdarakarshanAsan (Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose)
How to do?Lie in the back. Interlock fingers of both hands and place hands beneath the head. Bend knees, keeping the soles of feet on the floor. While breathing out lower the legs towards the right, trying to touch the knees on the floor.
At the same time move the head towards the left, giving uniform twisting stretch to the entire spine. Repeat on the other side by bending legs towards left, and head towards right.
Benefits: Removes constipation, improves digestion. Relieves stiffness and strain of spine caused by prolonged sitting.
4. Ankle Crank
How to do?Bend the right leg up and place the foot overhanging the left knee. Hold the right toes with the left hand. Steady the right ankle with the the right hand. Crank the right ankle around in a large circle, exploring to the very perimeters of movement. Do 10 rotations in each direction and then 10 rotations in each direction with the other ankle
Benefits: Good for stiffness and poor circulation in the feet. Helps extend setting time in meditation postures.
Pregnancy AdviceSpecially useful in case of edema, cramping, post epidural numbness in the feet and legs.
5. Shoulder Rotation
How to do?Single Arm Place the right fingertips up on the right shoulder. Slowly rotate the arm and shoulder joint around as if drawing a large circle with the tip of the elbow.
Extend the movement to rotate fully into the shoulder joint. Do 5 times one way and then reverse the direction for 5 circles. Repeated on the left side.
Double Arm Raise the arms up, fingers on both shoulders. Slowly rotate both arms together in large circles. Try to stretch the elbows as far back as possible, and try to touch them together at the front. Go 5 times in one direction and then 5 times reverse.
Breath Inhale when opening the chest as the elbows go backwards, exhale when the elbows move towards touching at the front.
Benefits: Improves circulation and flexibility in the shoulders and upper back. Releases tensions from around the heart and lungs. Encourages better breathing. Especially effective for release of neck tension if followed by the neck series. For mothers-to-be, practice throughout pregnancy and post-nasally as this exercise helps to stimulate proper function of the mammary glands.

Yoga for Pregnancy - Trimester 2

1. Matsya Kridasan (Flapping Fish Pose)
How to do?Lie on stomach with fingers interlocked under the head. Bend the left leg sideways and bring the left knee close to the ribs.
Right leg should remain straight. Swivel the arms to the left and rest the left elbow on the left knee. If this is not comfortable rest it on the floor. Rest the right side of the head on the right arm. Relax in the final pose, and after some time, change sides. Bent knee and head may be supported on a pillow for further comfort.
Benefits: Stimulates digestion and removes constipation. Relaxes nerves of the legs. In later months of pregnancy, lying on the back may cause pressure over major veins and block the circulation. In such circumstances, this posture is ideal for relaxing and sleeping. Also redistributes excess weight around waistline.
2. Vajrasan (Thunderbolt Pose)
How to do?Kneel on the floor. Bring big toes together and separate the heels. Lower the buttocks onto the inside surface of the feet with heels touching the side of the hips. Place hands on knees, palms down. Back and head should be straight , but not tense.
Benefits: Enhances digestive functions and can be practices directly after meals. Relieves stomach ailments like hyperacidity often a trouble faced during pregnancy. Alters blood flow and nervous impulses in the pelvic region and strengthens pelvic muscles. Assists women in labor.
3. Bhadrasan (Gracious Pose)
How to do?Sit in vajrasan (above). Separate the knees as far as possible, while keeping the toes in contact with the floor. Separate the feet just enough to allow the buttocks and perineum to rest on the floor. Try to separate the knees. Do not strain.
Benefits: Same as Vajrasan.
4. Marjari Asan (Cat Stretch Pose)
How to do?Sit with buttocks on the heels (Vajrasan). Raise the buttocks and stand on the knees. Lean forward and place the hands flat on the floor. This is the starting position. Inhale while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the back becomes concave. Exhale, while lowering the head and stretching the spine upward. At the end of the exhalation contract the abdomen and pull in the buttocks.
Head will be now between the arms, facing the thighs. This is one round. It may be done for 5-10 times .Be careful not to strain yourself.
Benefits: This asan improves flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. Tones female reproductive system. Can be safely practiced during first 6 months of pregnancy.
5. Hasta Utthanasan (Hand Raising Pose)
How to do?Stand with feet together and arms on the sides. Cross hands in front of body. Inhale and slowly raise arms over the head, keeping them crossed. At same time bend head slightly backward and look up at the hands.
Exhale and spread arms out to the sides at shoulder level.. Inhale and reverse the movement, re-crossing the arms above the head. Exhale and lower the arms straight down in front of the body.
Benefits: Removes stiffness from the shoulders and upper back. The deep synchronized breath improves breathing capacity. Influences heart and improves blood circulation. Whole body, especially the brain receives an extra supply of oxygen.
6. Tadasan (Palm Tree Pose)
How to do?Stand with feet together and arms on the side. Raise arms over the head, interlock fingers and then turn the palms upward. Place hands over the head. Inhale and stretch the arms, shoulders and chest upwards. Raise heels to come up on the toes. Stretch whole body from top to bottom. Lower heels while exhaling and bring hands on top of the head. Relax for few seconds and repeat whole round 5-10 times.
Benefits: Helps develop physical and mental balance. Entire spine is stretched and loosened, helping to clear congestion of the spinal nerves. Also stretches rectos abdominal muscles keeping them nerves toned.
7. Kati Chakrasan (Waist Rotating Pose)
How to do?Stand with the feet about half a meter apart and the arms by the sides. Inhale while raising the arms to shoulder level. Exhale and twist body to left. Bring right hand to left shoulder and wrap left arm around the back. Look over left shoulder. Hold breath for 2 seconds, inhale and return to starting position. Keep feet firmly on ground while twisting. Repeat on other side. Do twisting smoothly without any jerks. Do about 5-10 rounds.
Benefits: Tones waist, back and hips . Induces a feeling of lightness and used to relieve physical and mental tension.
8. Utthanasan (Squat and Rise Pose)
How to do?Stand erect on feet about a meter apart, with toes turned out. Interlock fingers of both hands and let them hang loosely in front of the body. Slowly bend knees and lower buttocks. Straighten knees and return to upright position.
Benefits: Strengthens muscles of middle back, uterus, thighs and ankles.
9. Meru Akarshanasan (Spinal Bending pose)
How to do?Lie on right side with left leg on right leg. Bend right arm. Placing the elbow on the floor. Support head on right palm. Place left arm on left thigh. Raise the left leg as high as possible, slide the left hand to the foot and grasp the big toe. Repeat on other side.
Benefits: Relaxes the hamstring, inner thigh and abdominal muscles and stretches the muscles of the sides of the body rendering them stronger and flexible.

Yoga for Pregnancy - Trimester 1

1. Ardha Titali Asan (Half Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the right leg and place the right foot as far up on the left thigh as possible. Place the right hand on top of the bent right knee.
Hold the toes of the right foot with the left hand. While breathing in, gently move the right knee up towards the chest. Breathing out, gently push the knee down and try to touch the floor. The trunk should not move. Movement of leg should be achieved by the exertion of the right arm. Repeat with left leg. Slowly practice about 10 up and down movements with each leg. DO NOT STRAIN.
Benefits: It is an excellent practice for loosening of hip and knee joints, which shall enable faster delivery.
2. Poorna Titali Asan (Full Butterfly)
How to do?Sit with legs outstretched. Bend the knees and bring the soles of the feet together, keeping the heels as close to the body as possible. Fully relax the inner thighs. Clasp the feet with both hands.
Gently bounce the knees up and down, using the elbows as levers to press the legs down. Do not use any force. Repeat up to 20-30 times. Straighten the legs and relax.
Benefits: Tension from inner thigh muscles is relieved. Removes tiredness from legs.
3. Supta UdarakarshanAsan (Sleeping Abdominal Stretch Pose)
How to do?Lie in the back. Interlock fingers of both hands and place hands beneath the head. Bend knees, keeping the soles of feet on the floor.
While breathing out lower the legs towards the right, trying to touch the knees on the floor. At the same time move the head towards the left, giving uniform twisting stretch to the entire spine. Repeat on the other side by bending legs towards left, and head towards right.
Benefits: Removes constipation, improves digestion. Relieves stiffness and strain of spine caused by prolonged sitting.
4. Chakki Chalan Asan (Churning the Mill Pose)
How to do?Sit with legs stretched out in front of the body about one foot apart. Interlock fingers of both hands and hold the arms out straight in front of the chest.
Make large circular movements over both feet, trying to take the hands over the toes on the forward swing and coming as far back as possible on the backward swing. Practice 10 times in each direction.
Benefits: Excellent asan for toning the nerves and organs of pelvis and abdomen preparing them for pregnancy. Useful in regulating menstrual cycle. Also an excellent post natal exercise.
5. Kashta Takshan Asan (Chopping Wood Pose)
How to do?Sit in squatting pose with feet flat on the ground and one and a half feet apart. Clasp fingers of hand and place them on the floor between the feet. Straighten the arms and keep them straight throughout the practice. Elbows should be inside the knees. Imagine the action of chopping wood. Raise arms as high as possible, behind the head, stretching the spine upward. Look up towards the hands.
Make a downward stroke. Expel the breath making an "Ha" sound and removing all air from the lungs. Hands should return towards the feet. This is one round. Practice 5-10 rounds.
Benefits: It loosens the pelvic girdle and tones the pelvic muscles.
6. Marjari Asan (Cat Stretch Pose)
How to do?Sit with buttocks on the heels (Vajrasan). Raise the buttocks and stand on the knees. Lean forward and place the hands flat on the floor. This is the starting position. Inhale while raising the head and depressing the spine so that the back becomes concave. Exhale, while lowering the head and stretching the spine upward.
At the end of the exhalation contract the abdomen and pull in the buttocks. Head will be now between the arms, facing the thighs. This is one round. It may be done for 5-10 times .Be careful not to strain yourself.
Benefits: This asan improves flexibility of the neck, shoulders and spine. Tones female reproductive system. Can be safely practiced during first 6 months of pregnancy.
7. Kati Chakrasan (Waist Rotating Pose)
How to do?Stand with the feet about half a meter apart and the arms by the sides. Inhale while raising the arms to shoulder level. Exhale and twist body to left. Bring right hand to left shoulder and wrap left arm around the back. Look over left shoulder. Hold breath for 2 seconds, inhale and return to starting position. Keep feet firmly on ground while twisting. Repeat on other side. Do twisting smoothly without any jerks. Do about 5-10 rounds.
Benefits: Tones waist, back and hips. Induces a feeling of lightness and used to relieve physical and mental tension.
8. Tadasan (Palm Tree Pose)
How to do?Stand with feet together and arms on the side. Raise arms over the head, interlock fingers and then turn the palms upward. Place hands over the head. Inhale and stretch the arms, shoulders and chest upwards. Raise heels to come up on the toes. Stretch whole body from top to bottom. Lower heels while exhaling and bring hands on top of the head. Relax for few seconds and repeat whole round 5-10 times.
Benefits: Helps develop physical and mental balance. Entire spine is stretched and loosened, helping to clear congestion of the spinal nerves. Also stretches rectos abdominal muscles keeping them nerves toned.
9. Utthanasan (Squat and Rise Pose)
How to do?Stand erect on feet about a meter apart, with toes turned out. Interlock fingers of both hands and let them hang loosely in front of the body. Slowly bend knees and lower buttocks. Straighten knees and return to upright position.
Benefits: Strengthens muscles of middle back, uterus, thighs and ankles.
10. Kandharasan (Shoulder Pose)
How to do?Lie flat on back. Bend knees, place soles of feet flat on the floor with the heels touching the buttocks. Feet and knees may be hip width apart. Grasp ankles with hands. Raise buttocks and arch back backward.
Try to raise the chest and navel as high as possible, without moving feet or shoulders. In final position, the body is supported by the head, neck, shoulders, arms and feet. Hold pose as long as it is comfortable. Release ankles and relax.
Benefits: Realigns the spine and relieves backache. It massages and stretches the colon and abdominal organs, improving digestion. Tones female reproductive organs and especially recommended for women who tend to miscarry. Should not be done in advanced stages of pregnancy.*Under expert guidance, it has been successfully used to turn the baby when it is a breech presentation.

Where does the Weight Go ??

By now, I have seen atleast a dozen mothers around me. And the one thing that bothered every mother was her post pregnancy weight. When it takes one 9 Months to put on 8-10 Kgs or even more weight, it definitely isn't going off overnight. Others tend to think that baby fat is never going off and even stop attempting to loose weight.

The truth is untill 3-6 months post birth, even depending on wether you had a Normal birth or a C Section, it is advisable to avoid heavy exercise and fad diets since you are still feeding your baby.

It is important then to first know how your weight gain was distributed. I am 156 Cms and 51.9 Kgs Pre Pregnancy. I will probably gain 11.3 kgs - 15.9 kgs during my pregnancy.

The optimum trimester wise weight gain is as follows:
(i) First trimester: 1-2 kg
(ii) Second trimester: 5-7 kg
(iii) Third Trimester: 4-5 kg
Total = 10 Kgs - 14 Kgs

If you gained the average of the range above, this is where the weight would go (totals are rounded):
You:
Uterus = 1.1 kgs
Breasts = 0.5 kgs
Blood = 1.4 kgs
Water = 1.9 kgs
Fat = 3.8 kgs
Subtotal == 8.6 kgs

Your Baby:
Fetus = 3.4 kgs
Placenta = 0.7 kgs
Amniotic Fluid = 0.9 kgs
Subtotal = 5.0 kgs
Total = 13.6 kgs