BALANCED DIET

FOR PREGNANT
MOTHER

Prepared by:-
Mrs. D. Melba Sahaya Sweety
Msc Nursing
Pediatric Nursing Department
GIMSAR
 INTRODUCTION
• Nutritional status of the mother before and during
pregnancy is most critical for optimal growth and
development of the fetus.
• Nutritional requirement are increased to support fetal
growth , development of the placenta and maternal tissues
as well as to support maternal metabolism and preparation
for lactation.
• Maternal nutrient supply to the fetus begins with conception
and determines the rate of growth, body composition and
 RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER
Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Calories (kcal/d) 1900 +350 2230 + 350 2850 + 350
Protein (g/d) 65 65 65
Calcium (g/d) 1000 1000 1000
Iron (mg/d) 38 38 38
Zinc (mg/d) 12 12 12
Folic acid (μg/d) 400 400 400
 RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER
Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Vitamin – A Retinol 600 600 600
(μg/d)
Vitamin – A 2400 2400 2400
Carotene (μg/d)
Thiamine (mg/d) 1.1 1.3 1.4
Riboflavin (mg/d) 1.3 1.5 1.7
 RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER
Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy

Cyanocobalamin 1.5 1.5 1.5

(mg/d)
Niacin (mg/d) 14 16 18
Pyridoxine (mg/d) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Vitamin - C 40 40 40
 IMPORTANT STEPS FOR
A HEALTHY PREGNANCY
Eat more food during pregnancy.
 Eat more whole grains, sprouted grams and fermented foods.
Take milk/meat/eggs in adequate amounts. Eat plenty of
vegetables and fruits. Avoid superstitions and food taboos.
 Do not use alcohol and tobacco.
Take medicines only when prescribed.
Take iron, folate and calcium supplements regularly, after 14-
16 weeks of pregnancy and continue the same during lactation.
 FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

• Family Support
• Food Availability
• Family Income
• Age at menarche and
conception
• Health status of the
women – past and present
 FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

• Physical Activity and

workload
• Personal Dietary habits
• Literacy level and nutrition
knowledge
• Belief and taboos related to
food and health care
FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

• Smoking , alcohol or
drug abuse
• Exposure to irradiation
• Availability of and
access to heath care
service and counseling
• Parity and birth spacing
Role of Nutrient
and their
deficiencies in
pregnancy
 PROTEIN :-
Role in pregnancy :-  Effects of
Cell division , DNA Deficiency
synthesis , expansion  Low maternal blood
of blood volume and volume
Formation of  Reduced growth of
hormones , enzymes placenta and the fetus
and antibodies  PEM, Growth
retardation
 FATS :-
Role in
 Effects of Deficiency
pregnancy :-
Lower gestational
Provision of
weight gain
energy
Fetal growth may be
Deposition of
impaired
adipose tissues
 FATTY ACID (OMEGA
– 6 And OMEGA -3) :-
Role in
pregnancy :-  Effects of
Support fetal Deficiency
growth Impaired Brain
particularly development
of brain and and visual
acuity
eye
 FOLIC ACID:-
Role in
pregnancy :-
• Methylation and
Effects of Deficiency:-
DNA synthesis
 Impaired cell growth and
• Cell Division
cell division
• Development of  Risk of neural tube defects,
heart, brain, spinal megaloblastic anemia and
cord and placenta cancer in later life
 VITAMIN - A:-
Role in
pregnancy :-
• Cell differentiation Effects of
during cell growth Deficiency:-
• Development of
 Fetal growth
healthy bones, teeth
retardation
and eyes , etc..,
 Low birth weight
 VITAMIN - C:-

Role in pregnancy :-
• For formation of
collagen, connective
tissues, cartilage,
muscles and the
lowest layer of skin
 ZINC:-
Role in
pregnancy :- Effects of Deficiency:-
• Structural and
regulatory functions
 Impaired DNA/RNA
as coenzymes synthesis and cell
division
• Neurotransmission,
 Low birth eight
Maturation
 Infectious disease
 IODINE:-
Role in
pregnancy :-
Effects of Deficiency:-
• Normal brain
development and  Impaired blood cells
maturation  Impaired functioning of
• Regulate metabolic nervous system
rate (BMR)  Physical and mental
retardation
 CALCIUM:-
Role in
pregnancy :-
• Maintain maternal
bone reserves and to Effects of Deficiency:-
improve neonatal  Growth retardation
bone density during  Low bone density
lactation
 VITAMIN - D:-
Effects of Deficiency:-
Role in  Disorders of calcium
pregnancy metabolism in both mother and
• Calcium infant
 Neonatal hypocalcemia and
metabolism
tetany
• Bone
 Infant hypoplasia of tooth
development enamel and maternal
osteomalacia
 IRON:-
Role in pregnancy :-
Placenta Formation
Formation of Neurotransmitters
Synthesis of Heme
Production of Blood cells
Transport of oxygen to cells
Formation of metallo enzymes
( Iron depending Enzymes)
 IRON:-
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Depleted blood volume
 Low hemoglobin level
 Anemia
 Maternal hypoferremia
 Irreversible changes in
some of the brain
function of fetus
 DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT
MOTHER

• Ensure adequate weight gain

• Eat well – balanced meals with plenty of
fresh fruits and vegetables
• Increase intake of folate and iron rich foods
with vitamin C rich foods.
• Include foods rich in omega – 3 fatty acids,
calcium and carotenoids
 DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT
MOTHER

• Increase intake of complex carbohydrate

foods rather than simple carbohydrates.
• Ensure that the RDA for protein is met by
good quality protein sources such as egg,
milk, oily fish and pulses.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, tannin
rich foods such as tea and coffee.
 DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR PREGNANT MOTHER

• Reduce intake salt, sugar and refined foods.

• Avoid skipping meals
• Eat small size meals at a time and eat several
times a day preferably at regular timing.
• Avoids processed foods and consume freshly
prepared meals
• Sedentary women should do regular exercise
like walking.
MENU PLANNING
FOR A PREGNANT
MOTHER
 BREAK FAST

OR
+

OR
+
 MID MORNING

+
OR +
LUNCH

+
 EVENING

OR
+
OR
 DINNER

+
OR
THANK YOU