When you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it's important to look at your diet to make sure that you and your baby are getting all of the calories and nutrients you need. What changes should you make? To find out, look over the table below, which lists the recommended daily allowances for various nutrients before conception, during pregnancy, and while you're nursing your baby. The table also explains the importance of each of these nutrients.
However, there's no reason to make your diet complicated. The best way to improve your diet is by eating a range of healthy foods. Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables and include plenty of dairy in your diet. Also, eating fish several times a week is safe, healthy, and recommended.
Taking a daily prenatal vitamin recommended by your health care provider will help fill in any nutritional gaps. (If you are a vegan or are on another special diet, talk with your provider or a registered dietitian about any other dietary changes you may need to make.) Remember, too, that "eating for two" doesn't mean twice as much. You need just 300 extra calories a day (400 while nursing) - equal to one glass of milk, a banana, and 10 crackers.
When preparing meals, remember to always wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds after handling raw eggs, meat, seafood, and unwashed produce.
These additional nutrient requirements can be taken in by choosing the right kinds of foods. For instance, green leafy vegetables are both high in folic acid and iron. Calcium can be taken in through dairy products and also through foods such as salmon, beans, and tofu. Dairy products are helpful in getting nutrients such as phosphorous, riboflavin, Vitamin A, and Vitamin D.
[NOTE: Women in their reproductive years should know that the excessive use of vitamin A shortly before and during pregnancy could be harmful to their babies. One thousand RE equals 5,000 international units (IU). More than 10,000 IU should be considered harmful.]
Although pregnancy requires additional nutrients, it doesn't require a drastic change in caloric intake. Remember, don't skip meals and keep saturated fats to a minimum.