Pregnancy / Lactation
By: Kaela Plott
Nutritional Needs
A key nutritional need during pregnancy is folate. Folate helps proven neural tube damage in the fetus, this is damage to the brain or spinal cord. Pregnant women should consume up to 600 micrograms of folate daily. Other nutrients that are needed are protein, calcium, and iron. The mother needs increased amounts of protein to help support the growing fetus. The fetus needs calcium for correctly formed bone and teeth. Iron is needed during the last six months of pregnancy. It helps build up iron reserves before the child is born. During lactation the woman has increased energy, protein, mineral and vitamin needs. They need these extra nutrients to replace the nutrients secreted in the milk. She also needs these nutrients to help cover the energy loss of producing milk and to also protect her body.
Diet
While pregnant you should follow a nutritious diet made up of various foods. The diet should be built around recommended food group amount from MyPyramind. During the send trimester, she should add two ounces from the grain group. She might add one ounce of the meat and bean groups. She should also increase the intake of vegetable any 1/2 cup. In the third trimester she might and another ounce from the grain group.During lactation she should drink up to 2-3 quarts of fluid each day.
Foods That Should Be Avoided
Raw and undercooked meat, poultry, seafood, and egg dishes. Raw sprouts and unpasteurized milk and juice.