Symptoms of PREGNANCY NUTRITION DIET

Overview of Pregnancy Nutrition Diet A balanced diet is a basic part of good health at all times in your life. During pregnancy, diet is even more important. The foods you eat are the main source of the nutrients for your baby. As your baby grows, you will need more of most nutrients. Before You Become PregnantBefore you are pregnant is the best time to begin eating a healthy diet. Eating right before you become pregnant can help make sure that you and your baby start out with the nutrients you both need. This also is the time to begin taking a folic acid supplement. Folic acid is a type of vitamin that is key to the growth of your baby, especially during the first months of pregnancy. Not getting enough folic acid in your diet before you are pregnant and early in pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects such as neural tube defects. Getting good health care before you are pregnant will help you throughout your pregnancy. Weight GainPregnant women are sometimes concerned about gaining too much weight. Keep in mind that your diet is the main source of energy for your baby. That means you have to eat more while pregnant. When you are pregnant, you need about 300 calories more a day than you usually eat. How much weight you gain during pregnancy depends on your weight before pregnancy. A healthy gain for most women is between 25 and 35 pounds. If you are overweight, you should gain less, but some weight gain is normal. If you are underweight, you should gain more. A Healthy DietThe first step toward healthy eating is to look at the foods in your daily diet. Meal Planning Try to plan your meals. Planning meals in advance can help ensure you and your family eat a balanced diet. Basic NutrientsEvery diet should include proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and minerals. To be sure your diet gives you the right amount, you should know which foods are good sources of each. The labels on food often have the letters RDA. This stands for Recommended Daily Allowance. RDAs are levels of nutrients you need every day. Extra NutrientsYou may need extra nutrients because you are pregnant. These may include iron, folic acid and calcium. They can be given as single pills or as a combined pill. Sometimes a prenatal vitamin contains all you need. Ask your doctor or nurse how your needs can be best met. Check with your doctor before taking any vitamins, herbs or other supplements that are not prescribed to you. Folic Acid To help prevent neural tube defects, a woman should take 0.4 milligrams of folic acid daily before and during pregnancy. It should be taken for one month before pregnancy and during the first three months of pregnancy. Women who have had a child with a spine or skull defect are more likely to have another child with this problem. These women need higher doses of folic acid — 4 milligrams daily. Special ConcernsVegetarian DietsIf you are a vegetarian, you can continue your diet during your pregnancy. You will need to plan your meals with care to ensure you get the nutrients you and your baby need. Lactose IntoleranceMilk and other dairy products are the best sources of calcium in your diet. But, some women have symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, gas and indigestion after drinking milk or eating dairy products. This is known as lactose intolerance. If you are pregnant and lactose intolerant, make sure you are getting enough calcium. Talk with your doctor or dietitian. MercuryFish is an important part of a healthy diet. However, women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are nursing should not eat shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish. These fish contain high amounts of a form of mercury that may harm an unborn child's or baby's brain or nervous system. ListeriosisListeriosis is an illness caused by bacteria found in certain foods. The foods most likely to have the bacteria are unpasteurized milk, soft cheese, raw vegetables and shellfish. Because the symptoms of listeriosis are like the flu, it's not always found. If you have a fever or flulike illness, samples from your vagina, cervix and blood may be checked. To prevent listeriosis, wash all fresh fruits and vegetables before using them. PicaDuring pregnancy, some women feel strong urges to eat nonfood items such as clay, ice, or laundry and corn starch. This is called pica. Pica can be harmful to your pregnancy. Finally …Eating right during your pregnancy is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Take a look at the foods in your daily diet. Make sure they provide the nutrients you and your baby need. It's never too late to start eating a healthy diet. This excerpt from ACOG's Patient Education Pamphlet is provided for your information. It is not medical advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for visiting your doctor. If you need medical care, have any questions, or wish to receive the full text of this Patient Education Pamphlet, please contact your obstetrician-gynecologist.