Question

A woman’s diet should change during pregnancy to sustain a growing fetus, but only certain components of the diet need changing. In the table below, explain how the listed dietary requirements should be adjusted for pregnancy

Nutrient	Changes
Calories
Protein
Folate
Vitamin D
Calcium
Iron
Iodine

Answer 1

Answer:

A woman's diet need changes along with her daily life schedules and her do's and don'ts as the pregnancy progresses. With more insight now available on nutrients and diet, unlike before, the woman does not have to eat for two individuals, but she need to add more nutritive value to diet to ensure nourishment of the foetus growing within her.

Following are the changes recommended in diet of a pregnant woman with regards to these nutrients:

• Calories - The Calori intake of a pregnant woman should increase by 300 calories per day. Depending on her body type whatever was her calory intake before pregnancy - say average 2000/ day the now she must have a calory intake of 2,300 calories/ day. This is sufficient to give enough energy to growing foetus for tasks of growth and limited movements withing the confines of womb.
• Protein - A diet with rich sources of proteins is very much recommended for pregnant woman, simply because proteins are the building blocks of life and life is what is happening within her. Only if the mother is well nourished will the baby too benefit from this nourishment. Lots of tissue growth is happening inside the womb and outside for mom too the whole child carrying machinery is at task. At each meal the mother to be should include protein rich foods like eggs / meat / fish / tofu (soya protein) and some pulses and legumes.
• Folate - A part of the vitamin B complex, folate or folic acid is a must for pregnant women. The link between certain defects in brain and spine (spina bifida) is well established. The diet may not be sufficient to provide recommended doses of folate specially so in pregnancy, hence now worldwide it is advised that woman should start taking folic acid supplements 1-3 months in advance when she is planning to get pregnant and the continue these supplements through pregnancy and continue again for at least 1 - 3 month post delivery or even till she is lactating and nursing the new born.
• Vitamin D - This is a newly recommended vitamin for pregnant women. Vitamin D is essential for bone development, absorption of Calcium and for many vital functions in the body. Early morning exposure to sunlight is needed for skin to manufacture vitamin D, yet it is not always possible in today's lifestyles and even when possible it is not enough vitamin for both mother and child. Looking at importance of Vitamin D, at the same time considering it's toxicity in higher doses, the pre-natal vitamin supplements contain around 400 IU. of this vital vitamin but now there have studies that suggest a higher dose than this can be safely given.
• Calcium - Calcium metabolism is very dynamic in the body and this is what our bones and teeth are made up of. Hence less calcium during pregnancy will mean that calcium will be lynched from mother's bones to get enough supply for foetus which needs a good amount to make new bones and strong ones at that. Hence daily dose for calcium during pregnancy is 1000 mg for adult pregnant women and a slightly higher dose if a teenager has become pregnant as in this case bone formation is happening in both mother and child. Calcium is easily received from dairy products like milk, yoghurt, cheese etc but an additional supplement will fill in the gaps where diet fails. Also another advantage is that most Calcium supplements also incorporate vitamin D as it is a essential for absorption of calcium, thus filling up on both essential nutrients.
• Iron - During pregnancy, the blood from mother is the only source of baby's nourishment. Iron is essential mineral for formation of blood and for oxygen to be supplied to the foetus. As blood volume increases (circulating in mother and baby), deficiency in iron will lead to anaemia which could be bad for both mother and child. Good oxygen supply is very necessary for proper development of baby including vital organs like brain. Hence iron is recommended as additional supplements during pregnancy as diet may not provide enough. Good sources of this essential mineral are green leafy vegetables / liver / beans / meat / poultry / fish. It must be noticed that iron absorption needs Vitamin C and hence taking these supplement or including citric juices at the time of eating iron rich food will help in better absorption and better iron stores for mother to be and foetus.
• Iodine - last but not the least, Iodine is must for proper development of brain and for functions of endocrine system. Thyroid hormones are Iodine containing compounds. If a good diet is maintained, enough Iodine is supplied to the body as it is needed in small amounts only. The foods that supply Iodine include tuna, shrimps, eggs, some seaweeds and dairy products. Moreover, now a days it is Iodized salt that is used as table salt and that helps to fill in the dietary gaps in supply of Iodine. Some doctors though depending on patient history / family history or other signs and symptoms may recommend a daily dose of 150 - 200 micrograms for pregnant women and 250 - 300 micrograms for lactating mothers.

The importance of balanced diet in pregnancy can not be more emphasized. At the same time keeping a positive and pleasant frame of mind goes a long way to keep both mother and child happy and healthy and make pregnancy a beautiful life experience rather than a burden.