NUTRITION DURING

PREGNANCY
• A woman 's body changes dramatically during pregnancy
• Uterus and its supporting muscles increase in
- Size
- Strength
• Blood volume increases by half to carry
- Additional nutrients
- Other materials
• Joints become more flexible in preparation for childbirth
• Feet swell
- High concentrations of estrogen
- Promotes water retention
• Breasts enlarge in preparation for lactation
• Mood influences due to hormonal change
• To handle these changes
- Nutritious diet
- Regular physical activity
- Plenty of rest
- Caring companions
Energy and Nutrient Needs during
Pregnancy
• Energy requirement during pregnancy:
• • 2nd trimester: + 340 keel/day
• • 3rd trimester: + 452 kcal/day
• Ample carbohydrate
- Ideally, 175 grams or more per day
- No less than 135 grams
- Necessary to fuel the fetal brain
• Nutrient-dense foods should be chosen to supply the
extra kilocalories
- Whole-grain breads and cereals
- Legumes
- Dark green vegetables
- Citrus fruits
- Low-fat milk and milk products
- Lean meats, fish, poultry
- Eggs
• Protein
• + 25 g/day
• Attained by adding
- Meats
- Milk products
- Protein-containing plant foods
- Legumes
- Whole grains
- Nuts and seeds
• High-protein supplements are discouraged
- Harmful to infant's development
Essential Fatty Acids
• Important for the growth and development of the fetus
• Essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Long-chain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for fetus
brain
- Growth
- Function
- Structure
Nutrients for Blood Production and Cell Growth
• For synthesis of DNA and new cells
- Folate, vitamin B12, iron, and zinc
• Folate RDA during pregnancy:
• 600 µg /day
- Supplements
- Fortified foods
- Fruits & juices
- Green vegetables
- Whole grains
vitamin B12
• Vitamin B12 RDA during pregnancy:
• 2.6 µg/day
- Meat
- Fish
- Eggs
- Milk products
Iron
• Iron RDA during pregnancy:
• 27 mg/day
• Most prenatal supplements provide
- 30 to 60 milligrams of iron/day
• To enhance iron absorption supplement should be taken
- Between meals
- At bedtime
- With liquids other than
- Milk
- Coffee
- Tea
- Inhibit iron absorption
Zinc
• Zinc RDA during pregnancy:
• 12 mg/day ( ≤18 yr)
• 11 mg/day (19-50 yr)
• Zinc required for
- DNA and RNA synthesis
- Protein synthesis
- Cell development
Nutrients for Bone Development
• Vitamin D
• Calcium
• Phosphorus
• Magnesium
• Fluoride
Vitamin D & Calcium
• The AI for vitamin D does not increase during pregnancy
• Regular exposure to sunlight
• Consumption of vitamin D-fortified milk

Calcium
• Over 300 milligrams/day transferred to the fetus
• 1200 mg/day required by mother