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Pregnancy nutrition: Healthy-eating basics

Water

Water carries nutrients from the food you eat to your baby. It can also help prevent constipation, hemorrhoids, excessive swelling, and urinary tract or bladder infections. As your pregnancy progresses, drinking too little water can contribute to premature or early labor.

How much: The Institute of Medicine recommends about 10 cups (2.3 liters) of fluids a day during pregnancy. Water, juices, coffee, tea and soft drinks all contribute to your daily fluid needs. Keep in mind, however, that some drinks are high in sugar and too much can cause weight gain. Because of the potential effects on your developing baby, your health care provider might also recommend limiting the amount of caffeine in your diet to less than 200 milligrams a day during pregnancy.

Fats, oils and sweets

There are no minimum requirements for fats and sweets. It's OK to indulge once in a while — as long as you're getting the nutrients you need and your weight gain is on target. To avoid going overboard, control your portion sizes and choose foods that are low in fat and sugar.

Ask about supplements

Even women who eat healthfully every day can miss out on key nutrients. A daily prenatal vitamin — ideally starting three months before conception — can help fill any gaps. Your health care provider may recommend special supplements if you follow a strict vegetarian diet, have had bariatric surgery or have any chronic health conditions, such as diabetes. Always consult your health care provider before taking any new vitamins or supplements during pregnancy.

Twins or other multiples

If you're pregnant with twins or other multiples, you'll likely need more nutrients and calories than a woman pregnant with one baby. Consult your health care provider about how much more to eat.

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References
  1. Healthy pregnancy: Staying healthy and safe. The National Women's Health Information Center. http://www.4women.gov/pregnancy/you-are-pregnant/staying-healthy-safe.cfm. Accessed Jan. 18, 2011.
  2. Nutritional needs during pregnancy. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/mypyramidmoms/pregnancy_nutrition_needs.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  3. Dietary supplements. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/mypyramidmoms/dietary_supplements.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  4. Nutrition during pregnancy. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp001.cfm. Accessed Jan. 19, 2011.
  5. Hibbeln, J., et al. Maternal seafood consumption in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood (ALSPAC study): An observational cohort study. The Lancet. 2007;369:578.
  6. Foods to choose often. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/mypyramidmoms/foods_to_choose.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  7. What foods are in the grain group? U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/grains.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  8. Routine prenatal care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__full_version__2.html. Accessed Feb. 8, 2011.
  9. What counts as an ounce of equivalent grains? U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/foodgroups/grains_counts.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  10. Special health needs. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/mypyramidmoms/health_needs.html. Accessed Aug. 10, 2011.
  11. Committee to Reexamine IOM Pregnancy Weight Guidelines, Food and Nutrition Board, and Board on Children, Youth and Families. Weight gain during pregnancy: Reexamining the guidelines. Institute of Medicine and National Research Council. http://www.nap.edu. Accessed Jan. 19, 2011.
  12. Panel on Dietary Reference Intakes for Electrolytes and Water, Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes, and Food and Nutrition Board. Dietary reference intakes for water, potassium, sodium, chloride, and sulfate. Institute of Medicine. http://www.nap.edu. Accessed Feb. 17, 2011.
  13. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. http://www.cnpp.usda.gov/DGAs2010-PolicyDocument.htm. Accessed April 14, 2011.
  14. Daily food plan for moms. U.S. Department of Agriculture. http://www.choosemyplate.gov/mypyramidmoms/pyramidmoms_plan.aspx#. Accessed July 14, 2011.
  15. Caffeine and pregnancy. Organization of Teratology Information Specialists. http://www.otispregnancy.org/files/caffeine.pdf. Accessed July 26, 2011.
  16. ACOG committee opinion No. 462: Moderate caffeine consumption during pregnancy. Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2010;116:467.
PR00108 Aug. 27, 2011

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