Chef Abiro, a Chef and Nutrition Specialist with a special interest in food and food products in northern Ghana, is encouraging pregnant women and lactating mothers to include in their meals, green leafy vegetables that are found in the local communities to boost their health and the lives of their babies.
He said this when he spoke to A1 Radio’s Mark Smith today, Thursday, May 4, 2023.
“You can find the nutrients in the vegetables like the bitor, the ayoyo and alefu. These are the simple things you can find the micronutrients in. It is very important that as you are pregnant, you pay key attention to eating a lot of greens,” he said.
Iron is an essential component for pregnant women and breastfeeding moms because it promotes the growth and development of the foetus and baby. Green leafy vegetables are high in iron and other vital vitamins and minerals. Green leafy vegetables can assist guarantee that both the mother and the baby get enough iron for good development during pregnancy and nursing, Chef Abiro said.
Studies have shown that iron deficiency is common during pregnancy and lactation, which can lead to anaemia and other health problems for both the mother and the baby. Iron from plant-based sources, such as green leafy vegetables, is especially important for vegetarians and vegans who may not be getting enough iron from animal products. Eating a variety of green leafy vegetables can help pregnant women and lactating mothers meet their daily iron requirements.
Green leafy vegetables, in addition to iron, contain other critical minerals such as folate, calcium, and vitamin C, all of which are required for a healthy pregnancy and lactation. These nutrients aid in embryonic development, bone health, and immunological function. As a result, including green leafy vegetables in pregnant women’s and breastfeeding moms’ daily diets can give several health benefits for both the mother and the infant, including a lower risk of anaemia and other health concerns.
Source: A1radioonline.com|101.1MHz|Mark Kwasi Ahumah Smith|Ghana
