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Nutritional needs during pregnancy Divider

Pregnant women When you are pregnant, you have a higher need for some vitamins and minerals. Follow your MyPyramid Plan for Moms to meet most of these increased needs.

In each food group, choose foods that have the vitamins and minerals you need. Click here to see the best sources of these vitamins and minerals. Choose these foods often to make sure you meet your nutrient needs while you are pregnant.

Also make choices that are low in “extras.” Extras are added sugars and solid fats in foods like soft drinks, desserts, fried foods, cheese, whole milk, and fatty meats. Look for choices that are low-fat, fat-free, unsweetened, or with no-added-sugars. They have fewer "extras." Click here for more information about “extras.”

Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot replace a healthy diet. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement every day in addition to eating a healthy diet.

If you need assistance to get the foods you need for a healthy diet, click on these links to learn more about USDA's WIC Program and Food Stamp Program Taking a supplement ensures that you and your baby get enough important nutrients like folic acid and iron. But don't overdo it. Taking extra can be harmful for you and your baby. Click here for more information about taking supplements while you are pregnant.

Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should not drink alcohol. Drinks containing alcohol include beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks, malt beverages, etc.

Even moderate drinking during pregnancy can cause behavioral or developmental problems for a baby. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can result in serious problems for the baby, including malformation and mental retardation.

Twins, Triplets, Multiple Births

If you are expecting more than one baby, you should discuss what and how much to eat with your health care provider. Your nutrient and calorie needs are higher than those of women carrying one baby.

You should also visit your provider more often than women who are expecting one baby. Women carrying more than one baby need to be monitored more closely. These babies have a much higher risk of being born prematurely.

Last Modified: March 12, 2009 04:03 PM