Question

What are the nutritional requirements of prenant women.

Answer 1

Nutritional needs of pregnant women:

Unlike non-pregnant women of the same age, a pregnant woman needs to support her own and her fetus's growth.

To meet the metabolic demand and to sustain energy needs in fetal development, a pregnant woman needs more energy. This is possible only if she takes a highly nutritious diet. Research shows that the calories demand doesn’t increase significantly in pregnancy. It’s not about the quantity of food but the quality.

Second trimester 340 kilocalories/day

Third trimester 452 kilocalories/day

Essential fatly acids aid in the retinal and brain development of the fetus.

Protein is needed to build fetal tissues. Protein is also needed by the mother for the development of breast and uterus. It is recommended that pregnant women consume 54% more protein than "Recommended Dietary Allowance or RDA for non-pregnant women.

Pregnant women have increased need of vitamins such as vitamin B12, D, A and Folic acid. Minerals like iodine, calcium, fluoride, and zinc are essential for the development and health of the infant and mother.

Vitamins, minerals and other micro nutrients are essential for the proper development and growth of the fetus. The baby needs calcium for the formation of bones, folic acid for proper neural tube formation and DNA synthesis, vitamin B12 for erythropoisis, amino acids for synthesizing proteins and enzymes, fat soluble vitamins for organogenesis, micro nutrients for the functioning of metalo enzymes and carbohydrates which act as source of carbon and energy.

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