Eating Right During Pregnancy

The 40 (or so) weeks of pregnancy are a magical time. Keeping a healthy lifestyle throughout pregnancy, as well as before and after, is key for both baby and mother. Important steps to a healthy pregnancy include eating a balanced diet; gaining the right amount of weight; enjoying regular physical activity; taking a vitamin and mineral supplement if recommended by a physician; and avoiding alcohol, tobacco and other harmful substances.

Foods Fit for Mom and Baby

Moms-to-be need a variety of foods from all of the MyPlate food groups. A balanced eating plan with a variety of foods can provide healthy women with enough nutrients for pregnancy. Safe food practices are important, too, since pregnant women are at higher risk of food poisoning.

Pregnant women need a balanced eating plan including:

• Grains: : Include breads, cereals, and pastas made with whole grain flours, as well as brown rice, whole grain corn or whole wheat tortillas.

• Fruits: All types of fruits, including fresh, frozen, dried or canned without added sugars.

• Vegetables: A variety of colorful vegetables, fresh, frozen or canned with no added salt should be included. Raw sprouts should be avoided.

• Protein foods: Choose lean protein from meat, poultry, fish, eggs, beans and peas, peanut butter, soy products and nuts. Pregnant women should avoid eating tilefish, shark, swordfish, marlin, orange roughy and king mackerel, and limit white (albacore) tuna to four ounces per week. Deli, luncheon meats and hot dogs should be reheated to 165°F, if consumed.

• Dairy: This includes low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese, yogurt and fortified soymilk. Unpasteurized milk and some soft cheeses that are made from unpasteurized milk also should be avoided.

Avoid extra calories from added sugars and solid fats, which can lead to unhealthy weight gain. Choose healthful fats from foods such as avocados, nuts and seeds as well as vegetable oils including canola and olive oil. Limit items like soft drinks, sweets and fried foods.

Key Nutrients for Healthy Pregnancy

• Folate or Folic Acid: This important vitamin reduces the risk of birth defects that affect the spinal cord. All women of childbearing age and pregnant women should consume at least 400 micrograms each day. Natural food sources of folate include legumes, green leafy vegetables and citrus fruits. Folic acid can be obtained through fortified and enriched foods such as cereals, pastas and bread as well as supplements.

• Iron: Maternal iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency during pregnancy. Pregnant women need at least 27 milligrams of iron each day. Foods with high and moderate amounts of iron include red meat, chicken and fish, fortified cereals, spinach, some leafy greens and beans. For vegetarians and women who do not eat a lot of meat, increase iron absorption by combining plant-based sources of iron with vitamin C-rich foods. For example, try spinach salad with mandarin oranges or an iron-fortified cereal with strawberries.

• Calcium: During pregnancy, calcium is needed for the healthy development of a baby's teeth, bones, heart, nerves and muscles. When a pregnant woman does not consume enough calcium, it is taken from her bones for the baby. It is important to consume adequate amounts of calcium daily before, during and after pregnancy. The recommended amount of calcium during pregnancy is 1,300 milligrams per day for adolescents 14 to 18 years old and 1,000 milligrams per day for women aged 19 to 50. That means at least three daily servings of calcium-rich foods such as low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt or cheese or calcium-fortified soy beverages

Your doctor or registered dietitian nutritionist may recommend a prenatal vitamin/mineral supplement to help ensure that you get enough iron, folic acid and other nutrients.