What Constitutes a Healthy Diet During Pregnancy?
A healthy diet during pregnancy contains much the same balance of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients as a healthy diet in general. If you already have healthy eating habits, it will be easy to make slight adjustments to ensure a healthy pregnancy. • Calories-Most experts recommend that pregnant women consume an additional 300 calories over their normal intake requirements. Avoid dieting and the urge to binge eat during pregnancy. The key is moderation. • Complex Carbohydrates-Whenever possible, eat complex carbohydrates (like whole-grain breads and pastas, vegetables, beans, and legumes) rather than their nutritionally deficient cousins, the simple carbohydrates (white bread, cookies, pretzels and chips, and sugar and sweeteners). • Protein-Eat four servings of protein daily (60 to 75 grams daily). If your pregnancy is a high-risk one, your doctor may recommend more. It is easy to add more protein to your diet.
