Pregnancy Foods And Workout For The Second Trimester

With the ever-cautious first trimester well behind you, you have now progressed into the relatively easier part of your pregnancy. With every passing day, you will ease into a healthier state of mind, and all nausea, vomiting, morning sickness, headache, giddiness, and dizziness will progressively dissipate. Here is you start to think about pregnancy foods and workouts for the second trimester. Remember to maintain caution while exercising and know when to stop!

Workouts For The Second-Trimester Pregnancy

While you may want to give up on your exercise routine altogether after a rather troubled first trimester, we’d like you to take our advice – don’t! A healthy and regular workout routine will help you tone your body, avoid gaining excess weight, reduce pregnancy back pain, and stay active and fit during your pregnancy!

Brief 15-20 minute workouts are excellent to start out with, and may well stretch up to 45 minutes right until the ninth month. Believe us, you will also reap the benefits of a healthy pregnancy workout schedule, after childbirth!

Second-trimester Exercise That is Considered Safe

While you can do light warm-ups, strength-gaining as well as cardio exercises, we recommend some simple exercises that are considered safe during the second trimester.

Walking

Walking is the most common and one of the best exercises for pregnant women. It is safe, easy to control, has a low impact on joints and muscles, and improves cardiovascular function. Walking is in fact, a full-body workout.

Forward Lunges

Place your hands on your hips while standing upright. Place your left foot forward and bend the right knee toward the floor. Repeat this exercise with your left foot forward.

Squats

With feet shoulder-width apart and arms stretched out at shoulder level, squat down, keeping your feet firmly on the floor. Breathe out as you lower and in as you lift.

Shoulder Press

Stand or sit on a chair. Hold a weight in each hand and slightly bend your arms at the elbows, above your shoulders. Slowly lift your arms upwards until they are straight while breathing out.

Second-trimester Exercises That One Should Avoid

It may be obvious, but it’s best to spell it out sometimes.

Heavy-weight training lifts that cause stress to the cardiovascular and musculoskeletal systems are a strict no-no during pregnancy.
It is important to refrain from holding your breath for longer periods during yoga and meditation exercises.
Avoid exercises that involve lying on the stomach and standing for long periods of time.
Avoid exercises that involve a clear shift in the center of your gravity.
Running is considered safe for women who would run as a part of their exercise regime even before they conceived.
First-time attempts to run during pregnancy, on the other hand, are not advised.
Engaging in sports such as ice hockey, soccer, tennis, squash, and basketball can lead to abdominal trauma, excessive joint stress, and falls, thereby harming the growing fetus.
The list of sports that you must refrain from engaging in also includes water skiing, horseback riding, and gymnastics.

Second-trimester Pregnancy Foods

With your stomach beginning to agree with your food choices, and cravings beginning to set in, you can try different types of foods during your second trimester.

A healthy diet during this period should consist of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water.
It is during the second trimester that the growing fetus requires calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D to grow strong bones and teeth. So, ensure your food intake to provide you with these nutrients.
Also, consume foods such as carrots, cabbage, broccoli, avocado, Greek yogurt and so on that are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids to aid the brain development of your little one.
Eating nutritious, home-cooked food is the best option during your pregnancy.
If your work schedule does not permit you to cook every day, try stocking up on healthy frozen meals, and eating proper portions of these meals.

Foods to Avoid During the Second Trimester

Here are some kinds of foods you should omit during the second trimester of pregnancy:

While you may not like to go through your day without the requisite number of coffee and teacups, it is wise to restrict that number to two cups, daily.
It is a no-brainer to avoid alcoholic beverages during pregnancy.
You may also want to evaluate your consumption of kinds of seafood like fish and shellfish. Why, because, seafood contains high levels of mercury, and ingesting these high levels of mercury could harm your baby.
Also, try and keep away from unpasteurized milk and milk products.

Eating healthy and staying active are the best deals you can offer yourself during the most amazing time of your life – your pregnancy! Take care and have a healthy, fit, and enjoyable second trimester!

FAQ’s

How Much Walking Is OK Pregnancy?

It is advised that pregnant women get at least 30 minutes of exercise at a low level on the majority of, if not all, of the days of the week. Walking is an excellent kind of exercise for those just starting out.

How Many Steps Should A Pregnant Woman Walk A Day 2nd Trimester?

Walking somewhere between 5,000 and 10,000 steps per day is recommended for pregnant women. Your present level of physical fitness will determine the average number of steps you walk on a daily basis.

Is It Safe To Climb Stairs During the 2nd Trimester Of Pregnancy?

If your pregnancy is developing normally and you have no difficulties, then you can safely use the stairs at any time.

Pregnancy Foods And Workout For The Second Trimester

Workouts For The Second-Trimester Pregnancy