Eating for Two During Pregnancy (2752)

Nutrients must be in your body when your baby needs them. To grow and be healthy, babies need nutrients like protein, calcium, iron and folic acid.  Check with your nutrition counselor to make sure your diet is healthy for you and your baby.

Here are some tips for eating during pregnancy:

- Try to get your vitamins and minerals from food. Your doctor may also advise you to take a vitamin-mineral supplement

- Eat three meals a day. If you're still hungry, snack on such foods as low-fat cheese and yogurt, fruit, and vegetables. Remember, candies and soft drinks may taste good but thy provide few nutrients.

- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of fluid every day. Your body needs lots of fluids when you are pregnant. Water, 100% fruit juice, and milk are good choices.

- Check with your doctor for recommendations about caffeine. Too much caffeine may be harmful to your baby. Caffeine is found in tea, coffee, cola and other soft drinks, and chocolate.

- Heavy alcohol consumption during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of infant retardation and facial deformities. The best precaution is to avoid drinking during pregnancy and breast-feeding.

- During pregnancy many women fear weight gain. Healthy women usually gain about 25 to 35 pounds: 4 to 6 pounds are nutrition stores, 1 to 2 pounds come from breast growth, 4 pounds are from blood, and 2 to 3 pounds comes from the growth of your uterus. An additional 8 to 18 pounds comes from placenta and other fluids. Wait until after your baby is born before dieting.

For more information on this subject, Please visit the College of Agricultural Sciences Publications Web site.

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