Birth Defects In Children

Those everyday cravings for pizza, french fries, hamburgers, burritos, ice cream, candy, soda, and coffee that a woman might want, have to be limited when expecting a new addition to the family. A healthy eating and drinking diet is critical to the baby 's growth and development. Certain foods that are unhealthy and dangerous for the human body can harm a woman 's unborn child with birth defects.

Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth, which result in physical and mental disabilities. Most common birth defects found in babies is down syndrome, an inherited metabolic disorder, congenital heart defects, gastrointestinal and kidney malformations, and even death. Different types of food are linked to birth

Ordinarily, a balanced, nutritional diet will make a woman feel superb about herself, and also lowers the chances of birth defects when the child is born. The best choice for a healthy pregnancy is organic food. Organic food is produced without the use of pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation treatments, growth hormones, antibiotics, or non-organic feed. In addition, organic food cannot be genetically modified. The department of agriculture tested that "conventional fruits and vegetables are up to four times more likely to contain pesticide residues than organic produce" (Healthy Child 34). Eating organic food is tough and challenging for women who are pregnant, but there is another way to eating healthy. Whole foods are unprocessed grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, fresh herbs and spices that is another great way to steer away from "unstudied chemicals" found in regular food supply (a.k.a. Packaged foods) (Healthy Child 34 ). Of course, when a woman is pregnant, tired, and hungry, the latter can be easy to fall off, but setting up for success, shopping right, and prioritizing whole foods will nourish a growing

Vitamins and minerals are essential nutrients the body needs. On a daily basis, a woman should consume minerals and vitamins to help their baby 's developmental months. For immensely healthy eyes, general growth, and development of the teeth and skin, Vitamin A is superior for a fetus 's needs inside the womb. The natural source for vitamin A is carrots and any other natural orange foods one can find. Next, folic acid can be found in dark leafy greens, asparagus, broccoli, citrus fruits, and can be benefited for cell renewal and preventing birth defects. One other mineral is iron and it can be used for "building muscles naturally and maintaining healthy blood" (Goldberg 9). The natural source can mainly be found in clams, liver, soybeans, cereal, pumpkin seeds, beans, lentils, and spinach. Lastly, zinc is great for immunity, growth, and fertility which is mainly in seafood, spinach, cashews, beans, and dark