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Why is Nutrition
Important?
A healthy diet is essential to a healthy
pregnancy and its never too early to begin
thinking about how your lifestyle, habits,
and diet will affect you and your future child.
When you are pregnant, you have a higher
need for certain vitamins and minerals. A
nutritious diet, along with important dietary
supplements, can help provide energy and
allow you to take care of yourself and your
baby. Lactation places high demands on
your stores of energy, protein, and other
nutrients. This may cause maternal
deficiencies that may be avoided with
proper nutrition.
While pregnant, your baby receives the
nutrients you eat. These nutrients are also
passed on through your breast milk,
therefore, its important to continue with a
healthy diet once you have delivered your
baby and are breastfeeding.

Refer ence s
Ahmed, F., & T seng, M. (2013). Diet and nutritional status during
pregnancy. Public Health Nutrition, 16(8), 1337-1339.
doi:10.1017/S1368980013001651


Pregnancy and breastfeeding: health and n utrition information. Retrieved
from http://www.choosemyplate.gov/pregnancy-
breastfeeding.html


Pregnancy Nutrition: Health-eating basics (2015). Retrieved from
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-
week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-
20046955


Lowdermilk, D., Perry, S., Cashion, M., Alden, K. (2016). Maternity and
women's health care (11th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby, Inc.


March o f Dimes (2015). Low birth weight. Retrieved from
http://www.marchofdimes.org/baby/low-birthweight.aspx


Ramakrishnan, U., Grant, F., Goldenberg, T ., Zongrone, A., Martorell, R.
(2012). Effect of womens nutrition before and during early
pregnancy on maternal and infant o utcomes: a systematic
review. Paediatric perinatal epidemiology, 26(S1), 285-301.
doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3016.2012.01281.x


World Health Organization (2015). E-library of evidence for nutrition
actions (elena). Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/elena/nutrient/en/

Maternal Nutrition
During Pregnancy and
Lactation
Did you know that 7 out of 10 low birth weight
babies are born premature, which can be
caused by poor nutrition during pregnancy?

What foods
should I
avoid
during
pregnancy?

How much weight should I

gain during pregnancy?

NURS 3331 AUSON
Summer 2015

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Important Dietary Nutrients and

Supplements
What types of foods should I eat while p regnant and
breastfeeding?
A balanced diet with foods from each food group is essential to
proper nutrition. By eating a healthy variety of foods, you will receive
essential nutrients that provide energy and other health promoting
agents.
In addition to increasing your caloric intake (mostly in the 2nd and
3rd trimesters) while pregnant, you should increase your protein
intake by including lean meats such as fish or chicken, beans, and
nuts. Protein is important for fetal growth and promotes gestational
weight gain as well as tissue growth. Protein intake can also reduce
the risk of preterm births by 54%.
You should also include foods high in fiber in your diet. These foods
include whole grain bread, pasta, cereals, and fruits and vegetables.
It is important to drink plenty of water while pregnant and especially
while breastfeeding. Eight to ten glasses per day are recommended,
and you should be sure to avoid drinks with high caffeine and sugar
contents.
How much weight should I gain during
pregnancy?
Both too little and too much weight gain can negatively
affect the health of you and your baby.
While pregnant, you should gain weight gradually, gaining
about 3.5 5 pounds in the first trimester and most
weight being gained in the last three months.

Pre-pregnancy
BMI

Recommended
Total Weight Gain

Below 18.5

28 to 40 pounds

18.5-24.9

25 to 35 pounds

25-29.9

15-25 pounds

30 and above

Less than 15 pounds

Consequences of Inadequate
Maternal Nutrition
Co nse quence s fo r m ate rnal heal th:

What supplements should I take or include in my diet

while pregnant?

Fo lic acid is important in preventing complications during and

after birth, such as neural tube defects. Therefore, pregnant
women need 50% more folic acid than non-pregnant women. Foods
high in folate include spinach, lettuce, and green beans. Some
women may need to take a daily folic acid supplement if
recommended by your doctor.
Iron is important for the growth and development of your baby.
Foods high in iron include lean meats, leafy vegetables, and cooked
beans and peas. If iron supplements are needed, they may be
started at 12 weeks, but you should not take these supplements
unless advised by your doctor, as they may cause constipation.
Pre na ta l vita mins are extremely beneficial to you and your
babys health during pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins include both folic
acid and iron, in addition to other important supplements such as
calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin C., zinc, and copper.
R em em ber: prenatal vitamins are not a substitute for a healthy
diet and should be taken in addition to healthy food choices.

*Ab

bab ut 1
Anemia
ie
in
is b s b o rn e ve ry
orn
1
i
Weakness and lower productivity
wi th n th e U 2
weig low b , S .
Scaly, dry skin on the face
ir th
ht
Swelling in extremities
Constipation or Diarrhea
Increased risk of infection
Increased risk of maternal complications and death

Co nseq ue nc es for fe tal a nd i nfa nt hea lth:

Increased risk of fetal, neonatal, and infant death

Low birth weight and premature births

Birth defects

Brain damage

Increased risk of infection

What should I avoid while pregnant and breastfeeding?

Alcohol should be avoided, especially during the first three months of
pregnancy. Alcohol consumption can lead to growth, physical, and
mental problems in your baby.

Caffeine intake should be in moderation. Tea and cola-type drinks

usually contain the same amount of caffeine, while coffee contains
about twice as much.
Smoking should be avoided during pregnancy as it can result in low
birth weight, premature birth, and miscarriage. It can also affect your
childs growth and development.
You should always consult your doctor before taking any prescription
or over the counter medications or supplements while pregnant.
* These guidelines for healthy nutrition d ur ing pr egna nc y
also apply during bre astfe eding, and add itiona l pr oteins,
vitam ins, and minera ls may be nece ssa ry . During lactation,
1,80 0 calo ries a da y is r ec omme nd ed.