Advice on Nutrition during Pregnancy

Getting the right kind of nutrition during pregnancy is one of the most important things that an expectant woman needs to do. The phrase "eating for two" is no longer accepted by the medical profession. This now needs to be modified to "eating right for two"! There is a wealth of information available in books, DVDs/videos, magazines and websites which give a mom-to-be advice on what she needs to eat.

Usually nutrition advice centers around two lists - those things that an expectant woman should eat and those that she must not eat. These lists have tended to vary from year to year as research reveals links between nutrients and food products, and the health of the baby at birth - in more recent years, this has tended to be focused mainly on changes in the food products that should not be eaten.

Nutrition actually starts before the baby is conceived. In order to prepare the woman's body to support the baby's life, a woman needs to begin taking multi-vitamins daily, and in particular ensuring that she takes around 4mg of folic acid. It could be that the multi-vitamin brand chosen contains this dosage, but if it doesn't the brand needs changed or an additional folic acid pill taken.

Expectant women need to read labels to get the best nutrition during pregnancy. This begins with learning what is contained in the multi-vitamins they take and ensuring that everything they are supposed to have is contained within them. If it isn't, then they need to explore where they can obtain additional sources of the vitamins and minerals which are either missing or to low in value.

Fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and water form the basis of a good diet for nutrition. Then this should be supplemented by food which is rich in protein and fibre. Any diet program which was being followed prior to expectancy and which excluded any food group needs to be discussed with the medical provider of the mom- to-be, as should any eating requirements followed on moral or religious grounds.

Weight gain is anticipated during expectancy but proper attention to nutrition during pregnancy can keep this controlled so that there isn't as such excess weight to lose after the baby is born. One of the best pieces of advice is not to make it a excuse to indulge in foods that are unhealthy and have a low nutritional value. Instead use expectancy as a reason for embarking on a healthier eating program.

Also read our article about Pregnancy and Exercise