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This diet is designed to provide the increased nutrients during pregnancy that are essential for the health of the mother and the well-being of the baby. If a woman is expecting multiple babies, then she will have to have her nutritional plan adjusted for the extra fetuses.
This diet can also be adapted to a mother that is breastfeeding her infant by adding about 200 more calories to this diet or the equivalency of an extra peanut butter sandwich to be eaten at some point during the day. If a mother is breastfeeding multiple babies, the dietary requirements would have to be adjusted accordingly.
DESCRIPTION
Foods from all basic food groups are included in quantities to meet the increased nutrient needs of pregnancy. Nutrient needs that are markedly increased include calories, protein, iron, folic acid and calcium. Junk or empty calorie foods, sweets, fast foods, processed and packaged foods should be kept to a minimum. Alcohol should be avoided during pregnancy.
BASIC INFORMATION
Weight Gain: Recommendations for the range of total weight gain and the pattern of weight gain should be based on the pre-pregnancy weight for height. The pattern of weight gain is as important as total weight gain during pregnancy. Weight gain should be recorded on a chart that shows weight gain by gestational age.
NOTE: Weight gain appears to be more of a concern to the allopathic medical community than among many midwives. Physicians may attempt to limit calories and weight gain, especially in over-weight women, thus possibly compromising the well-being of both mother and unborn infant. Midwives, on the other hand, are more concerned with preventive holistic care by utilizing proper nutrition than they are about counting pounds gained and calories consumed. Many midwives do not record weight on a regular basis, but prefer to assess dietary patterns and habits, making changes and improvements, when necessary. A woman expecting twins or multiple births must increase her consumption of nutritious food accordingly to maintain a healthy pregnancy. An exception to this would be a sudden weight gain during the latter part of pregnancy (usually with other symptoms, such as edema and hypertension) that could be indicative of pre-eclampsia. Pregnancy (and postpartum while breastfeeding) is not a time to diet and limit calories, regardless of pre-pregnancy weight.
MoonDragon's Obgyn Information: Pregnancy - Twins
Pregnancy Weight Gain Recommendations
Pre-pregnancy Weight Total Weight Gain Rate of Gain for 2nd & 3rd Trimesters Normal Weight 25-35 pounds 1 pound per week Underweight 28-40 pounds more than 1 pound per week Overweight 15-25 pounds >2/3 pound per week Twins 30-35 pounds 1 1/2 pound per week
Note: These recommendations are used as a guideline only. Each woman and pregnancy is unique and individualized. Nutritional counseling and assessment should be a part of prenatal care and proper adequate nutrition is encouraged for optimal health for the mother and her baby.
Nutrient Supplements
Assessment of dietary intake should be completed for every pregnant woman. The increased nutrient needs of pregnancy can generally be met with slight changes in dietary habits.
Pregnant women are usually prescribed daily supplementation of 30 mg ferrous iron in the second and third trimester. For those women with limited intakes of fruit, juices, leafy green vegetables or whole grains, folate may be recommended.
Prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements should be provided for women with inadequate diets and for high risk populations. Excessive vitamin and mineral intakes should be avoided because of potential toxic effects in pregnancy. Your midwife or health care provider may assist you in choosing a prenatal supplement that is right for you and your specific situation. If this assistance is not available, then choose a naturally-based supplement for use in pregnancy that does not contain more than twice the recommended amount for adults.
Anemia
Iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnancy. Iron needs markedly increase in pregnancy. Women taking iron supplements of more than 30 mg per day may have supplements of 2 mg copper and 15 mg zinc per day recommended.
Eat foods high in iron such as beef, pork, lamb and organ meats; iron fortified cereals, dried beans, peas, or lentils; dark green leafy vegetables; peanut butter and molasses. Combine foods high in Vitamin C with iron-rich foods. Use cast-iron cookware, if possible.
Consult with your midwife or health care provider about natural herbal supplements and recommendations.
Caffeine
Although data from human studies do not provide significant evidence that caffeine affects pregnancy outcome, the Food and Drug Administration advises that pregnant women eliminate or limit consumption of caffeine-containing beverages such as coffee, tea, or colas. Substitute specific herbal teas (talk to your midwife before using herbs), juices, milk or soy milk, and water in place of caffeine products. If you must have your morning cup of coffee, make it de-caffeinated or drink a coffee substitute like "Postum" or Barley Tea.
Diabetes Mellitus
Pregnant women with any type of diabetes need special medical and nutritional care. Women with diabetes mellitus should achieve good blood sugar control prior to becoming pregnant. All other women at risk (family history or glucose testing positive in urine) should be screened for diabetes at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy.
Food Safety
Foodborne illness is especially dangerous for pregnant women. To avoid exposure to Listeria, pregnant women should avoid unpasterized milk and soft cheeses; carefully follow "keep refrigerated" and "use by" dates; and thoroughly reheat processed meats such as hot dogs. To prevent toxoplasmosis, pregnant women should wash hands after handling cats, not clean cat litter boxes, avoid eating raw or partially cooked meats and wash hands after handling raw meat.
To avoid other foodborne diseases, proper food handling procedures should be followed including storing foods at proper temperatures; washing cutting boards and knives after contact with raw meat, poultry and seafood; and careful handwashing before and after handling food.
Regularly wipe down food counters, cutting boards and other items that come into regular contact with food with a 10% bleach solution to kill any bacteria, viruses or other microbes that may be present. Using the commerically packaged "bleach wipes" are a good alternative and these can be tossed away after use.
Keep in mind... "IF IN DOUBT, THROW IT OUT!". Better to be safe than sick.
Hypertension
A diet to meet the nutrient needs of pregnancy with ample but not excessive amounts of calories and protein should be encouraged. Sodium intake should not be restricted. Stress should be kept to a minimum and stress management techniques should be learned and used. Immediate referral for medical treatment is essential for pregnant women with pathological increases in blood pressure.
Pica
Pica is the practice of eating substances (usually non-food items) with little or no nutritional value. Pica literally means "magpie," a bird that has undiscerning tastes. People affected by this disorder are compelled to eat things that are not generally intended for consumption. During pregnancy, some women develop cravings for these non-food items. If you have been experiencing cravings or have been eating non-nutritive items for more than a month, you could be suffering from pica.
The pica eating disorder is most commonly seen in children between the ages of two and three. It is believed that between 1% to 5% of children in the United States suffer from the eating disorder, though this number is probably greatly underreported. Pica is also very common among those with development disorders, such as autism. Though pica is seldom seen in healthy adults, some pregannt women do seem to develop the disease. Pica commonly occurs in pregnant women who are experiencing their first pregnancy, under the age of 20, and have suffered from pica as a child.
Pica in pregnancy often involves consumption of ice, dirt, laundry detergent, clay or cornstarch. Less frequently, matches, hair, newsprint, soap, charcoal, cigarette ashes, mothballs, baking soda and coffee grounds may be eaten. Pica often appears in the first or second trimester of pregnancy, and persists for more than a month. Though symptoms tend to disappear after pregnancy, there is a chance that your pica cravings could continue after labor and delivery.
Nutritious food may be displaced by pica substances. Items such as starch that provide calories may result in excessive weight gain. Pica substances may contain toxic elements or interfere with mineral absorption, such as iron.
There are no known causes of the pica eating disorder in pregnancy. However, there are a number of theories as to why the disorder may develop:
- Nutritional Deficiency: Pica may be your body’s natural response to a nutritional depletion, such as iron deficiency. When your body becomes deficient in certain vitamins and minerals, it tries to get these minerals by causing you to have strange dietary cravings. However, not every person with pica has a nutritional deficiency.
- Cultural Factors: Cultural factors do play a role in some cases of pica. Pica is accepted in some cultures as a way of increasing spirituality or treating certain physical illnesses, like morning sickness.
- Psychological Reasons: Mental illness or psychological trauma can trigger pica in some people. Pica is often a hallmark of extreme stress, fear, or abuse.
Complications of Pica - Pica can result in a number of different health complications that could cause you serious harm. This is why it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible for your pica cravings. Complications include:
- Lead Poisoning: Eating substances that contain lead, such as soil, clay, or paint, could lead to lead poisoning, which can seriously harm both you and your baby, and can even result in death.Bowel Obstruction: Eating non-food items, especially rocks, hair, and dirt, can cause your bowel to become obstructed. This can lead to severe constipation, bowel inflammation, and infection.
- Parasite Infection: Items from the earth, including clay, soil, and grass, can be home to parasites. When you ingest these items, parasites can then infect your gastrointestinal tract causing pain, weight loss, and other side effects.
Dental Injury: Your teeth were not made to process non-food items. Hard substances like rocks, clay, and ice can cause serious damage to your teeth, and you may experience broken and fractured teeth.
Unfortunately, pica cravings can cause serious harm to your baby. Eating non-food items can actually prevent your body from absorbing the proper minerals and nutrients. This could mean that your baby is not receiving the proper nutrition, increasing his risk for a variety of complications, including low birth weight, preterm labor, and stillbirth.
Pica has been associated with iron deficiency. If either iron deficiency or pica is identified during pregnancy, assessment should be initiated to see if the other problem exists.
Don't panic if you have problems with non-food cravings (pica). It happens and is not abnormal. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider or your midwife to make sure you have a complete understanding of the specific risks associated with your cravings. Here are some suggestions to help you deal with pica cravings:
- Inform your health care provider and review your prenatal health records. Consider psychological counseling or behavorial therapy, if necessary. Your health care provider may recommend medications to control cravings, stress, or depression.
- Monitor your iron status along with other vitamin and mineral intake. Take remedial nutritional supplements.
- Consider potential substitutes for the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum.
- Inform a friend and/or your partner of your craving. They may be able to help you avoid non-food items.
You might consider contacting a homeopathic practitioner to assist you with your cravings. he or she might be able to treat you with a selection of homeopathic ingredients that will bring your nutritional needs back into alignment.
Sodium
Normal sodium intake is needed during pregnancy to support the large prenatal expansion of tissues and fluids. Sodium should not be restricted.
Teen Pregnancy
Teens should gain weight at the upper end of the appropriate weight for height ranges. Teens are at high risk for iron deficiency and inadequate calorie intake. Eating regular meals and choosing healthy foods are especially important for teenagers.
Vegetarian Diets
Pregnant women consuming vegetarian diets need careful nutritional assessment. The type of vegetarian diet will determine the potential for nutrient deficiencies with increased risk as more foods are excluded. Most pregnant women consuming milk and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarian diet) can meet the increased nutrient needs of pregnancy.
Vegan diets will require careful planning to consume adequate protein from complementary plant proteins. Alternate sources of vitamin B-12 and calcium will be needed in a vegan diet. Iron status should be carefully monitored. Low pre-pregnancy weight and less than optimal weight gain are common problems for vegans. High caloric foods such as nuts, nut butter, wheat germ, avocados, dried fruit, coconut, honey and salad dressings may be needed.
NUTRITIONAL ADEQUACY
This diet is designed to provide adequate amounts of calories, protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to meet the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman.
Daily Food Guide for Pregnant Women
Food Group & Recommended Serving Serving Size Dairy Foods
(4 Servings)
Rich in calcium, protein, vitamins & minerals
Sources:
Milk, yogurt, cheese, salmon, dark leafy greens, cottage cheese1 cup milk or yogurt
1/3 cup dry milk powder
1 1/2 oz. cheese
2 cups cottage cheese
1/2 cup canned salmon
2 cups dark leafy greens
Protein Foods
(6 Servings)
Rich in protein, iron and B vitamins
Sources:
Beef, pork, lamb, chicken, fish, eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, tofu, peanut butter, dried beans or peas, nuts, seeds.1 oz. meat, chicken or fish
1/4 cup tuna, cottage cheese or tofu
1 egg, or 1 oz. cheese
2 Tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup dried beans or peas
1/3 cup nuts, or 1/4 cup seeds
Vitamin A Rich Fruits & Vegetables
(1 Serving)
Rich in vitamin A and fiber
Sources:
Carrots, spinach, dark leaf greens, sweet potatoes, winter squash, chili peppers, red peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupe, mango, papaya, apricots, vegetable juice cocktail.1/2 cup cooked vegetables
1 cup raw dark leafy greens
2 Tbsp chili peppers
1/2 cup red pepper
2 medium tomatoes
6 oz. vegetable juice cocktail
1/2 cup raw green onions
1/4 cup dried or 3 raw apricots
1/2 cup medium papaya
1/4 medium cantaloupe or mango
Vitamin C Rich Fruits & Vegetables
(1 Serving)
Rich in vitamin C & Fiber
Sources:
Oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, lemons, cantaloupe, kiwi fruit, strawberries, mango, papaya, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflower, chili peppers, red & green peppers, tomatoes6 oz. citris juice
1 orange or lemon
1/2 grapefruit
2 medium tangerines
1/4 medium cantaloupe or papaya
1 medium kiwi fruit or mango
1/2 cup strawberries
1/2 cup broccoli
1/2 cup brussels sprouts
1/2 cup cauliflower
1 cup raw or 1/2 cup cooked cabbage
2 Tbsp raw chili pepper
1/2 red or green peppers
2 medium tomatoesOther Fruits & Vegetables
(3-7 Servings)
Rich in other vitamins, minerals and fiber
Sources:
Apples, bananas, grapes, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, watermelon, green beans, beets, corn, cucumbers, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, zucchini1 piece fresh fruit
1/2 cup canned or cooked
1 cup raw
1/4 cup driedBread & Cereals
(6-11 Servings)
Rich in B vitamins, iron & fiber
Sources:
Breads, tortilla, crackers, hot & cold cereals, rice, noodles, macaroni1 slice bread
1 roll
1 tortilla
1/2 cup rice or pasta
3/4 cup cold cereal
1/2 cup cooked cereal
1 oz. cracker
Fats
Provide vitamin A & essential fatty acides
Sources:
Butter, margarine, oils, bacon, salad dressings, olives, avocadosAs needed to meet caloric needs. Use in moderation. Fats occur normally in many foods such as meat, poultry, & dairy products. Fluids Drink at least 8 glasses of liquids each day. Avoid drinks high in sugar and caffeine.
Don't drink any alcoholic beverages.
PREGNANCY NUTRITION DIET - Sample Menu
SUGGESTED MEAL PLAN SUGGESTED FOODS AND BEVERAGES BREAKFAST
Citris Fruit or Juice
Cereal
Meat or Meat Substitute
Bread-Margarine
Milk / Beverage
SUGGESTED BREAKFAST
Orange Juice
Oatmeal
Scrambled Egg
Whole Wheat Toast, Jelly, Margarine
Skim Milk, Decaffeinated Coffee
DINNER - NOON OR EVENING MEAL
Meat or Meat Substitute
Potato or Potato Substitute
Vegetable and / or Salad
Dessert
Bread - Margarine
Milk / BeverageSUGGESTED LUNCH/DINNER
Baked Chicken
Sweet Potato
Green Beans, Coleslaw
Strawberries
Whole Wheat Roll / Margarine
Skim Milk , Water
AFTERNOON SNACK
Milk, Fruit
AFTERNOON SNACK
Fruited Yogurt
SUPPER - EVENING OR NOON MEAL
Soup or Juice
Meat / Meat Substitute
Potato / Potato Substitute
Vegetable and / or Salad
Dessert
Bread / Margarine Beverage
SUGGESTED SUPPER/DINNER
Vegetable-Bean Soup
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
Spaghetti
Spinach Salad with Dressing, Zucchini
Rice Pudding
Garlic Bread
Skim Milk, Decaffeinated Iced Tea
EVENING SNACK
Milk, Bread, Fruit
EVENING SNACK
Peanut Butter
Whole Wheat Toast
Apple Juice
Nutrient Analysis
Calories Protein Carbohydrate Fat Cholesterol Dietary Fiber Vitamin A Vitamin C Niacin Riboflavin Thiamin Folate Calcium Phosphorus Zinc Iron Sodium Potassium 2563 Kcal 130 gm 355 gm 76 gm 427 mg 34 gm 4631 IU 209 mg 29 mg 3.0 mg 1.7 mg 392 mcg 1741 mg 2332 mg 7 mg 19 mg 4637 mg 5473 mg
NOTE: Bulk herbs are available through Mountain Rose Herbs and Nutritional Supplements are available through Herbal Remedies. To find supplements not listed above, click on the links below:
Mountain Rose Bulk Herbs
Mountain Rose Aromatherapy Oils
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils A-B
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils C-E
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils F-L
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils M-P
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils Q-Z
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Blends & Resins
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Diffusers, Nebulizers, & Burners
Mountain Rose Herbs, Aromatherapy Oils: Oil Kits
Click Here To Visit Herbal Remedies Product Page
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