Prenatal Nutrition

A balanced diet is essential to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It can prevent excessive weight gain, and keep gestational diabetes and high blood pressure from developing. Every expectant mother can benefit from following a diet that provides her with sufficient nutrients, vitamins and minerals; her baby will benefit as well.

An expectant mother is advised to add an extra 300 calories a day to her diet. An ideal pregnancy diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products and lean protein. There are also foods that a pregnant woman should avoid because they can pose a risk to the fetus. They include certain types of seafood that contain high levels of mercury, and soft, unpasteurized cheeses. Caffeine intake should be limited to one cup per day, and alcoholic beverages should be avoided. Bacteria from unwashed produce and undercooked meats can also be more dangerous during pregnancy. Drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and help prevent constipation is recommended.

Although a healthy diet is the best way for an expectant mother to get all the nutrition she needs, taking prenatal vitamins is also important. They provide both mother and fetus with the additional vitamins and minerals needed during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins contain high amounts of folic acid, which helps to prevent neural-tube birth defects, and iron, which helps to prevent anemia, and supports the fetus's growth and development.

Additional Resources

• MedlinePlus
• National Institutes of Health
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
• U.S. National Library of Medicine
• WebMD