Your Diet During Pregnancy
Building Blocks for a Healthy Baby
Serving Equivalents
Additional Resources
Exit this Page
After you have completed your reading and browsing simply close this window or click the button on the bottom of this page and you will return to the previous page.
DIET IN PREGNANCY
     A pregnant woman needs to increase her calorie intake by 300 calories a day to gain the proper amount of weight during pregnancy.  You should consume at least 2100-2400 calories per day.  A pregnant woman needs 75-80 grams of protein a day.  Liver should be avoided in pregnancy due to reports that liver may contain levels of Vitamin A that may be toxic to you baby.  Seafood is an excellent source of protein, however you must make sure that it is fresh and not high in iodine.  Calcium intake should be 1200 mg per day and can be obtained from dairy products.  If you cannot tolerate dairy products, your doctor may recommend a calcium supplement.  You should divide your calories so that an evening snack becomes a regular part of your daily nutrition. You should have two servings of foods that contain Vitamin C.  You will consume enough natural fats if you follow the diet recommendations.  Trim excess fat from foods.  Use lean meats and steam, bake or broil meats.  Use olive oil rather than vegetable oils.  Use low-fat dairy products, but avoid skimmed milk.  The majority of your calories should be carbohydrates.  Avoid empty calories such as cakes, cookies, potato chips, soft drinks, sweetened juices and candy.  I ask patients to avoid artificial sweeteners even though no harmful affects have been attributed to them.
    It is also important to drink at least eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day.
BACK TO THE TOP
Building Blocks for a Healthy Baby

For an interactive, animated version click here.
BACK TO THE TOP
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP:
To Return to the Previous Pregnancy Menu,
Click the Button and this Window Will Close
OR Visit Other Areas of this Site by Clicking the Icons
Women's
Health Index
Physician
Page
Spirituality
Published
Articles
Home
Page
Site
Index
© 1996-99: MJ Bovo.  All rights reserved under US Copyright Law.
Excerpts from: The Family Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition, currently in production, and Do You Have Any Questions?  © 1995: MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under any circumstances.  Please see Terms of Use for full expanation.  Violations of the Copyright Code are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS.