Listeriosis
Fish and mercury
Folic acid
Iron
Calcium
Cravings
Now that your body is home to your baby for the next 40 weeks or so, there are many aspects to consider, to ensure you have a healthy, well-balanced diet. Most essential
vitamins and minerals can be obtained through eating a variety of nutritious foods. However, to plan your diet properly, you need to understand the 5 main food groups and how much of each type of food you should aim to eat on a daily basis. The 5 food groups and the relevant food portions for pregnancy (and breastfeeding) are discussed in depth
here, along with a dietary guide if you are having twins, triplets or more.
If you have a special diet for a medical condition (such as
diabetes) you may want to consult with a qualified dietician at your maternity hospital when you have your first pregnancy health check. Dieticians are trained to help you plan your food choices to support your specific health condition, as well as make sure you are getting all the nutrients you and your baby need. Some women will choose to see a private dietician. However, it is important to make sure they have experience in advising women who are pregnant.
If you have a vegetarian or
vegan diet, you need to be conscious of including foods rich in protein, iron, calcium, vitamin B12 and zinc. Many vegetarian women have normal, healthy pregnancies and give birth to healthy babies, as well as breastfeed successfully on diets without meat (and in many cases without supplements). The key to supporting this is to plan your diet carefully, to ensure you have a wide variety of foods to obtain all the nutrients you and your baby require, as well as providing sufficient energy to maintain your weight and help your baby to grow. You can read more about planning your diet in
vegetarian diets during pregnancy.
Listeriosis