Pregnancy
Good nutrition during pregnancy will help to keep a developing baby and its mother healthy. The need for certain nutrients is increased at this time.
Good nutrition in pregnancy is essential. During pregnancy the foods eaten by a mother provide:
- nutrients the baby needs to grow and develop
- nutrients to keep herself healthy
It is important to choose a wide variety of healthy foods to ensure the nutritional needs of both mother and baby are met.
A pregnant woman needs a little more energy (kilojoules) than was enough to keep weight stable before becoming pregnant, however it is the need for other nutrients during pregnancy that is more important, these include:
Therefore good nutrition during pregnancy is more about the quality of food eaten than the quantity.
Try to eat:
- lots of fruit, vegetables, wholegrain breads and cereals
- moderate amounts of low fat dairy food and lean meats
- small amounts of foods high in fat, sugar and salt
Choosing a wide variety of foods from each food group will help to meet the extra demands, however it may be necessary to eat more:
- lean meat, chicken or fish
- dried beans and lentils
- nuts and seeds
- low fat milk, cheese and yoghurt
- green leafy vegetables
It is also recommended that a folate supplement be taken prior to conception and for the first three months of pregnancy to help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida.
An
Accredited Practising Dietitian
can provide expert nutrition and dietary advice to help meet the extra demands of pregnancy.
