Good nutrition is important during pregnancy. Many changes occur in a woman’s body during the nine months of pregnancy, including the baby that is rapidly developing inside her. Although this period may be a happy time for most women, some experience unpleasant symptoms that may affect their ability to eat the proper amount of nutrients they need. Even healthy women may need to learn more about eating a well-balanced diet that will ensure a healthy outcome for their babies.
Studies show that many pregnant women suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Pregnancy is associated with normal body changes that are often not matched with enough food and nutrient intake. For example, there is a normal increase in plasma volume – plasma is the liquid part of the blood where red and white blood cells as well as other molecules like protein are suspended. There is a greater demand for the body to produce more blood, but if there is not enough iron, folate or vitamin B12 in the diet, anemia may occur.
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Healthy women often need to consume about 300 more calories daily than they did before they became pregnant. However, hormonal changes may cause nausea and vomiting during the early part of pregnancy, which may lead to loss of appetite, undernutrition and weight loss. Common nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy include a deficiency in iron, folate, vitamins A, D, B6, B12, niacin, thiamin, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and protein.
Nutritional Goals for Healthy Pregnancy
It is important to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients your body and your baby needs. Experts recommend eating the following daily servings:
• Breads and grains – 6 to 11