What are the Basics of Nutrition During Pregnancy?

Nutrition during pregnancy can affect the health of both mother and child. Ensuring proper nutrition can help provide the growing fetus with all the building blocks necessary for healthy development, while keeping the mother in good form and ready for a healthy delivery and easy recovery. Although there is a wide variety of conventional wisdom on how to eat while pregnant, understanding basic nutrition during pregnancy can help an informed mother make good decisions about food.

There are several foods that women are told to avoid during pregnancy, as they may cause bacterial or viral infections that can hurt both mother and child. Any undercooked or food, such as runny eggs or rare meat, should be avoided as it may contain harmful bacteria. Unpasteurized foods, such as raw milk, soft cheese, and unpasteurized juice are generally meant to be avoided during pregnancy. Recent tests have also shown that, due to pollution, seafood of almost all varieties is contaminated with levels of mercury high enough to raise the risk of central nervous system damage to unborn babies. Health professionals also frequently urge pregnant women to avoid alcohol and caffeine.

Generally speaking, nutrition during pregnancy follows many of the same rules as nutrition anytime. Since the body's resources are diverted to growing a healthy baby, it is more important than ever to ensure that the correct balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients are fed to the body. Most women are encouraged to increase their calorie intake during pregnancy, as malnourishment can harm the health of both mother and child. Basic healthy foods such as leafy greens and fruit, whole grains, healthy proteins, and dairy products make up the backbone of nutrition during pregnancy.

Since pregnant women often experience increased hunger, it is important to chose foods wisely. Although stereotypes suggest that pregnancy is a time to gorge on ice cream and junk food, gaining too much weight can actually be harmful to a healthy pregnancy and weaken the mother. Some health experts recommend the tactic of shopping around the edges of grocery stores, since this is where the produce, bread, and dairy is usually kept. Avoiding the middle aisles prevents a hungry mother-to-be from overindulging in the processed, sugary, and often unhealthy foods usually stocked in the center of a store.

Even with the healthiest eating habits, nutrition during pregnancy is often supplemented by prenatal vitamins. Check with a doctor to determine what, if any, supplements may be necessary. It is usually recommended that you consult a doctor about taking a vitamin or supplement that he or she has not already approved. Typical supplements recommended for better nutrition during pregnancy include folic acid, iron, and calcium supplements.