Pregnancy and Nutrition

Healthy eating is important during pregnancy. Good nutrition is needed to meet the added demands on your body as well as those of your growing baby.

Eating healthy while you’re pregnant may take a little extra effort, but it will have major benefits for you and your baby. If you already eat a balanced diet, all you have to do is add a few extra well-chosen calories. If you have not been eating a healthy diet, pregnancy is a great time to change old habits and develop healthy new ones. In order to get the nutrients you need, you must eat from a variety of food groups, including fruits and vegetables, bread and grains, protein sources, and dairy products.

Finding a balance between getting enough nutrients to fuel the baby’s growth and maintaining a healthy weight is important for you and your baby’s future health. A pregnant woman who has a body mass index (BMI) in the normal range before pregnancy needs to gain, on average, between 12-16 kgs.