Dietary Needs for Pre/Post Natal
Pregnancy
Pregnancy and Weight Gain
Pregnant women should gain around 30 pounds throughout your pregnancy. Women should gain 1 to 5 pounds during the first trimester. Throughout the remainder, women should gain around 1 pound every week.
MyPlate Recommendations throughout Pregnancy
- Pregnant women have a higher need for vitamins and minerals.
- You should eat foods that are low in "empty calories".
- Women should take prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements.
- Supplements do not replace all nutrients, nothing beats a healthy diet.
- Do not smoke or drink while pregnant.
Foods to AVOID
- Avoid seafood and especially sushi. The bigger and older the fish are, the more likely they are to carry mercury.
- Avoid undercooked meat or eggs. Pregnancy allows for women to have an increased risk of bacterial food poisoning.
- Avoid unpasteurized foods. These products can lead to foodborne illnesses.
- Avoid unwashed fruits or vegetables. Wash your fruits and vegetables to eliminate harmful bacteria.
- Avoid a lot of caffeine. Caffeine makes your baby have a higher heart rate by crossing the placenta.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. Drinking and smoking increases the chance of a miscarriage or stillbirth.
Critical Vitamins and Minerals your Baby NEEDS
- Vitamins A, C, D, and E.
- B1, B2, B3, and B6.
- Folate
- Calcium
- Iron
- Protein
- Zinc
Breast Feeding and Dietary Needs
- When women breastfeed, their need for fluids will increase. Drink a glass of water with every breastfeed.
- Do not drink while breastfeeding.
- Watch intake of caffeine filled drinks.
- Continue eating foods with low "empty calories".
- Babies need colostrum for the first few days that it is born.
Newborn Diet
- The best thing to give to a baby is breast milk.
- Infants usually start eating solid foods between 4 to 6 months.
- Give infants food one at a time to be able to identify any allergies.
First Year of Lige Diet
- Over the next 12 months, breast milk will steadily decrease.
- Start introducing the baby to foods when they are 4 months old. Typically, feed the baby foods such as dry cereal, fruits, vegetables, and protein.
- Between the ages of 9 months and 12 month, feed the baby more food and introduce fruit juices and snacks.
- Note, these food choices should be healthy and organic.
Sources
- http://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentTypeID=90&ContentID=P02209
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/infantandnewbornnutrition.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/pregnancy-nutrition/art-20043844?pg=2
- http://americanpregnancy.org/pregnancy-health/nutrients-vitamins-pregnancy/
- http://www.choosemyplate.gov/pregnancy-breastfeeding/pregnancy-nutritional-needs.html