Am I supposed to eat certain things when I’m pregnant?
Good question! A healthy diet is an important part of having a healthy pregnancy. Women who are pregnant should talk to their health care providers about what kinds of changes they should make to their diets.
In general, women who are pregnant need about 100-300 more calories per day than they did before they got pregnant. Pregnant women should eat a balanced diet of carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber. It’s important to avoid alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, and other drugs, as well as sugary drinks.
Most women need to take extra vitamins and minerals during pregnancy — even if they eat well. A health care provider may recommend that a woman take “prenatal vitamins” that contain calcium, folic acid, and iron. It’s possible to get too much of some vitamins and minerals, so pregnant women should talk with their health care providers about the right vitamins to take.
Tags: pregnancy, prenatal care