Prenatal Nutrition Tips

Nutrition Guidance from Ventura’s Leading OBGYNs

Eating a variety of healthy foods will help you to consume the right amount of vitamins and nutrients during each stage of the pregnancy.

Weight Gain Throughout Your Pregnancy

Weight gain and calorie intake during pregnancy varies from person to person, so talk with your OBGYN about the amount of calories you need. Your obstetrician will monitor your weight to make sure you are gaining a healthy amount of weight throughout the pregnancy. Depending on your weight before becoming pregnant, it is typically healthy to gain 2 to 4 pounds during the first trimester, 3 to 4 pounds each month during the second and third trimesters.

Healthy Nutrition for Pregnant Women

In addition to eating a balanced diet, a prenatal or multivitamin with folic acid should be taken daily throughout your pregnancy. Getting enough iron, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B12, helps the baby get the nutrients they need to develop.

Foods to Avoid When Pregnant

While it is recommended that you avoid certain foods that could be dangerous to eat when pregnant, discuss your diet with your obgyn first. Foods you should stay away from include:

• Refrigerated meat spreads
• Refrigerated smoked seafood
• Deli meats and hot dogs
• Raw sprouts
• Unpasteurized milk or juice
• Fish with high mercury levels, like swordfish, tilefish, king mackerel, and shark

Keep these tips in mind when shopping, preparing, and eating during your pregnancy.

Food Preparation Safety

Eating and handling food safely to is even more important when you are pregnant. To prevent food-borne illness, be careful to wash your hands after touching raw meat and prevent raw meat from touching other surfaces. Be sure to cook the meat completely or reheat to the appropriate temperature before eating.