It is never too late to begin healthy eating habits during your pregnancy. In addition to a healthy prenatal diet making you feel good, it will also ensure that your unborn child is getting the nutrients essential for growth and development. Consult your doctor before making any dietary changes.
Prenatal Vitamins
Most doctors suggest taking a prenatal vitamin during pregnancy. It is not always easy to eat three well-balanced meals each day. For those instances, prenatal vitamins can ensure that you and your baby are getting the proper amounts of vitamins and minerals necessary to stay healthy.
Calories
During pregnancy, most women will gain between 25 and 35 pounds. This number is likely to increase if you are carrying multiples. To support the extra weight gain, additional caloric intake is essential. According to the American Pregnancy Association, to support all the productive changes going on with you and your baby, you will need an additional 300 calories per day during the last two trimesters. If you are pregnant with multiples, add an additional 300 calories per fetus.
Protein
Every cell in your developing baby's body relies on protein. During pregnancy, it is essential to increase your protein intake. According to StorkNet.com, you should consume at least 60 grams of protein for a singleton pregnancy. This number increases if you are carrying multiples. Yogurt, peanuts, poultry, whole milk, eggs and cottage cheese are all good sources of protein.
Folic Acid
Women who are pregnant or trying to conceive are encouraged to take folic acid supplements. Folic acid, also known as folate, is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects such as spinal bifida. According to MayoClinic.com, you are at an increased risk of pre-term delivery if your diet is deficient of folic acid. The recommended folic acid intake for women who are trying to conceive is 800 micrograms per day. During pregnancy, you need 1,000 mcg per day.
Recommendations
If you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant, you should avoid alcohol and tobacco products. Women who consume alcohol during pregnancy put their baby at risk for fetal alcohol syndrome and low birth weight. According to the American Pregnancy Association, be sure that all your meat is thoroughly cooked; raw meat may expose you and your unborn baby to salmonella, toxoplasmosis and other harmful bacteria.
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