A calcium deficiency in pregnant women also affects the fetus, especially its development. A lack of calcium can easily lead to stunted growth or incomplete congenital development. So, how can one supplement calcium during pregnancy?
For pregnant women, the nutritional importance of their diet is self-evident, especially calcium, which is crucial and absolutely essential. This is not only for their own sake, but more importantly for the fetus. To prevent the fetus from having incomplete congenital development or being short in stature, it is vital to pay attention to calcium supplementation.
1. Hazelnut, Lettuce, and Scallop Stir-fry
Ingredients: Hazelnuts, lettuce, scallops, salt, chicken essence, cooking wine, salad oil, sesame oil, starch.
Method: Soak the hazelnuts in water, remove their skins, and deep-fry until crispy. Peel the lettuce, dice it, and dice the scallop meat. Blanch them together in boiling water. Mix starch with egg white to form a paste, marinate the scallop meat in it. Add a little oil to a wok, stir-fry the scallop and lettuce dices, season, then add the hazelnuts. Thicken the sauce and drizzle with a little sesame oil. The skins of the hazelnuts should be removed to avoid a bitter taste.
Benefit: Among all nuts, hazelnuts have the highest calcium content and complement the calcium-rich scallops, with a texture that is just as good as cashews or peanuts. In addition to calcium, they are also rich in protein and unsaturated fatty acids. Calcium Supplementation Tip: To supplement calcium, you can eat more aquatic foods like river crabs and dried shrimp. Additionally, eating more nuts, calcium-rich vegetables, and coarse grains/legumes (especially peas) is also extremely helpful.
2. Scallion and Dried Shrimp Salad
Ingredients: Scallions, dried shrimp, red bell pepper, salt, sesame oil.
Method: Wash the dried shrimp and blanch them in boiling water. Chop the scallions and shred the red bell pepper. Mix the dried shrimp with chopped scallions, shredded red bell pepper, a little salt, and sesame oil.
Benefit: Every 100 grams of dried shrimp contains 39.3 grams of protein, 20000 mg of calcium, and 1005 mg of phosphorus. The third trimester is a critical stage for the development of the fetus's bones, teeth, and nervous system. A calcium deficiency can easily lead to osteomalacia, hypocalcemic convulsions, pregnancy fatigue, hypertension syndrome, as well as premature birth or low birth weight in the fetus. This dish is very suitable for consumption in the late stages of pregnancy.
3. Deep-fried Shrimp Balls
Ingredients: 400g large shrimp, 2 eggs, 15g pork fat, 25g mushrooms, 10g cooking wine, 10g scallion and ginger juice, 3g salt, 1g MSG, 50g flour, 800g peanut oil.
Method: Finely chop the pork fat, mushrooms, and large shrimp. Crack the eggs into a container and beat them into a liquid. Add flour, cooking wine, scallion and ginger juice, salt, and MSG to the egg liquid and mix well. Then add the chopped shrimp, pork fat, and mushrooms, stirring in the same direction to form a filling. Shape the shrimp mixture into small, even balls. Deep-fry in oil heated to 50% until golden red and cooked through. Remove, drain the oil, and serve on a plate.
Benefit: Shrimp contains calcium, phosphorus, iron, and relatively rich protein, vitamins, and iodine. Mushrooms are rich in calcium, phosphorus, and zinc. Eggs are rich in calcium and vitamin D. This dish can provide pregnant women with abundant calcium and helps prevent and treat leg cramps during pregnancy.
4. Duck Blood and Tofu Soup
Ingredients: 50g duck blood, 100g tofu, coriander, superior broth, vinegar, salt, starch, white pepper, etc.
Method: Shred the duck blood and tofu, and cook them in boiling superior broth until done. Season with vinegar, salt, and white pepper. Thicken with a light starch slurry and garnish with coriander leaves.
Benefit: Tofu is a high-calcium food, and duck blood can meet the mother's need for iron. The sour and spicy taste not only whets the mother's appetite but also promotes calcium absorption.