The pre-pregnancy diet is one of the most essential aspects of planning for your future baby. Pre-pregnancy nutrition is essential for you and your baby's health, so it should be a priority before you attempt to conceive. With the proper guidance and resources, you can ensure that you meet your pre-gestational nutritional needs.
Importance
Your pre-pregnancy diet and overall nutritional status is an important part of the conception process. It can have a major effect on numerous pregnancy factors, ranging from the ability to conceive to the health of the baby. Eating a healthy diet can lead to a healthier menstrual cycle that is easier to track, which is imperative for egg fertilization. Furthermore, consuming the appropriate nutrients before becoming pregnant has been shown to reduce the incidence of birth defects and overall complications.
Nutritional Guidance
An obstetrician can specifically determine what your nutritional needs are and make the appropriate recommendations. In some instances, he may refer you to a dietitian to help further educate you. The dietitian is specially trained to promote pregnancy health by facilitating proper eating.
Balanced Diet
According to the Yale School of Medicine, a large portion of women in the United States do not eat a well-balanced diet before becoming pregnant. As a result, a large number of women enter the gestational period with a nutritional status that does not meet the needs of pregnancy. The Yale School of Medicine recommends that women planning for pregnancy follow a well-balanced diet consistent with the United States Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services food guide pyramid.
Key Nutrients
In addition to foods from the pyramid, there are several vital nutrients that you need to consume daily. The key essential nutrients include folic acid, iron and calcium. Folic acid aides with the development of the baby's neural structures and should be consumed in the amount of 400mcg daily. Iron from whole foods is essential since women are prone to low iron levels. Calcium also is crucial for sustaining healthy bones throughout pregnancy and women should consume 1,200mg daily before conception. The calcium requirement increases by an additional 400mg during pregnancy.
Helpful Tips
There are several key things you can do to meet your dietary needs before and during pregnancy. The first step is to commit to change and make the effort to modify your eating habits. The next thing to do is eliminate all of the junk foods from the house and stock your home with nutritious meals. When eating out, choose meals that meet your nutritional needs in accordance with the food pyramid.
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