Nutritious Diet for Pregnant Women

All expectant mothers are to be given a one-offor cottage can be added to the salad to meet protein
payment of around £120 that they will beand Vitamin B12 requirements
encouraged to spend on fresh fruit and vegetables as- Eat better. Try to be specific about this one. I, for
a way of protecting their children from diseases andexample, am pledging to add more fruits and
incurable conditions later in life.vegetables to my diet. A pregnant friend of mine is
Seafood can be an important part of a balanced dietpledging to eat ate home more often, a.k.a. less fast
for pregnant women. It is a good source of high qualityfood. What small change can you sustain that would
protein and other nutrients and is low in fat.make your diet a healthier one?
To eat well during pregnancy you must do more thanGuide to Daily Diet When Pregnant
simply increase how much you eat. You must alsoThe following daily food servings for pregnant women
consider what you eat. Although you need about 300who are of normal weight before becoming pregnant.
extra calories a day — especially later in yourMothers-to-be who are underweight or overweight,
pregnancy, when your baby grows quickly — thoseshould discuss their specific nutritional needs with their
calories should come from nutritious foods so they candoctor or dietitian.
contribute to your baby's growth and development.- 9 servings of bread and whole grains
FOOD SAFETY TIPS- 4 servings of vegetables
• Never eat raw meat — such as steak tartare- 3 servings of fruit
(a raw hamburger dish) — poultry or seafood,- 3 servings of milk and milk products
especially raw oysters and clams.- 3 servings of meat and protein foods
• Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs and anyDuring pregnancy, a woman needs more iron than
food containing them such as Caesar salad, mousse,normal to produce all the blood needed to supply
some custards, homemade ice cream and homemadenutrition to the placenta. Good sources of iron are
mayonnaise.more in green vegetables such as broccoli and
• Do not drink raw or unpasteurized milk or foodsspinach, strawberries and breads. Tea, coffee can
made from raw milk.interfere with the body's absorption of iron. It is often
Diet of mothers during pregnancysuggested that all pregnant women take an iron
- It is a fallacy to say that mothers should eat for two.supplement every day from the 20th week of
Eat as per the dictates of hunger and eat healthy foodpregnancy
as advised by hygiene and you should be OKThe food you eat every day, even before you are
- Protein The WHO recommendations are 44g ofpregnant, is important for your health and that of your
protein a day for pregnant women. There is no needchild. Once you become pregnant it is even more
whatsoever for milk and animal products duringimportant to eat right since you are eating for both you
pregnancy to achieve these levels. Whole grainsand your baby. Below we have provided you with free
(wholewheat bread, unpolished brown rice), legumes,or low cost resources to help you and your child,
lentils, peas, beans, sprouts, nuts and seeds can amplyduring and after pregnancy, with food and nutritional
meet your needs. At most a small quantity of yoghurtneeds.