A model meal plan for the second trimester

Did you know? Your baby starts growing very fast and needs much more nourishment. So you need to increase your daily food intake in both quality and quantity.

Specifically, you need about 2,500kcal a day, an extra 250 kcal. At this stage your baby's skeleton and length develop rapidly. Prioritise foods rich in calcium, zinc and vitamin D3. Nutrients such as folic acid, iron, protein, fat, fibre and vitamins still need to be taken regularly too!

Suitable portions for you:

- Starch, 13 units: 715g cooked rice = 780g pho noodles = 1,040g rice vermicelli (bun).

- Protein, 6 units: 204g beef = 248g lean meat = 426g chicken on the bone = 246g boneless fish = 522g raw sea prawns.

- Milk, 5 units: 500ml fresh milk = 500g yoghurt = 75g cheese.

- Vegetables, 4 units: 1 unit = 1 tomato = ½ cucumber = ⅔ small bowl of cooked vegetables.

- Fruit, 4 units: 1 unit = 1 slice of watermelon = 1 small guava = 2 medium pomelo segments = ¼ small dragon fruit = 1 medium mandarin.

- Sugar, under 5 units: 1 unit = 5g.

- Salt, under 5 units: 1 unit = 1g salt = 1.5g seasoning salt = 5ml fish sauce.

- Fats and oils, 6 units: 1 unit = 5ml cooking oil = 5g lard.

References: tudu.com.vn