Why is a healthy diet important?
It is widely recognised that what you eat when you are pregnant has a major influence on your baby`s growth and development. Research has found that women who eat an unhealthy diet are more likely to give birth to babies who are of smaller than average birth weight and who are also more likely to suffer health problems in later life. This is why the advice you are offered about diet and nutrition in pregnancy is aimed at reducing the risk of having a baby with birth defects that are diet-related, as well as reducing the risk of having a low birth weight baby.
Diet in pregnancy
It is now widely accepted that eating a healthy, balanced diet and having a variety of foods from the main food groups is the best approach to obtaining all the nutrients that your body needs in pregnancy. Each day you should aim to eat and drink
- five portions of fruit and vegetables
- starchy foods such as bread, rice, pasta, cereals and potatoes
- protein foods such as fish, lean meat, eggs, beans and pulses
- dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt, fromage frais and cheese
- regular glasses of water, diluted fruit or vegetable juices.
It is also a good idea to cut down on high fat and sugary foods such as cakes, biscuits, and fast food.
Extra requirements in pregnancy...
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Suggested further reading and useful contacts
The Centre for Pregnancy Nutrition
University of Sheffield, The Jessop Wing,
Tree Root Walk, Sheffield S10 2SF
Tel: 0845 130 3646 (Eating for Pregnancy helpline, local call rate)
Email: pregnancy.nutrition@sheffield.ac.uk
The centre publishes a booklet: Healthy eating before, during
and after pregnancy, which may be downloaded free of charge
from the website.
Food Standards Agency
Aviation House, 125 Kingsway, London WC2B 6NH
Tel: 020 7276 8000
Information about healthy eating during pregnancy can be
accessed at: www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/pregnancy
Diabetes UK
Macleod House, 10 Parkway, London NW1 7AA
Tel: 020 7424 1000
Careline tel: 0845 120 2960 (local call rate; advisers available
Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm; recorded advice information
available at other times; offers a translation service).
Email: info@diabetes.org.uk
Epilepsy Action
New Anstey House, Gate Way Drive, Yeadon, Leeds LS19 7XY
Tel: 0808 800 5050 (freephone helpline)
Email: helpline@epilepsy.org.uk
Sickle Cell Society
54 Station Road, London NW10 4UA
Tel: 020 8961 7795
Email: info@sicklecellsociety.org
The Vegetarian Society of the UK
Parkdale, Dunham Rd, Altrincham, Cheshire WA14 4QG
Tel: 0161 925 2000
Email: info@vegsoc.org
Publishes a vegetarian pregnancy fact sheet.
The British Dietetic Association
5th Floor, Charles House, 148/9 Great Charles Street,
Queensway, Birmingham, B3 3HT
Tel: 0121 200 8080
Email: info@bda.uk.com
Publishes useful Food Facts sheets on their website, including
the titles Healthy eating and pregnancy and Help yourself to
healthy snacks.
Department of Health information on maternal and infant nutrition
Includes links to the Healthy Start scheme documents.
Department for Work and Pensions" information
on benefits for pregnant women
Contributors include:
Mr. Peter Young, MB; ChB; MRCOG;
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Prof. Moira Plant, RN; RMN; PhD;
Professor of Alcohol Studies
Anne Viccars, MA; BSc (Hons); PGDipEd; RM; RN;
Senior Lecturer in Midwifery
Dr. AP Madden, MA; BM; BCh; FRCA;
Consultant Anaesthetist
Dr. Julie Dallison, MSc; DPhil
Dr. Jenny Ingram, PhD; BSc (Hons)
Dr. Mary Stewart, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; BSc (Hons);
MSc; PGDipHE
Prof. Christine MacArthur, PhD;
Professor of Maternal and Child Epidemiology
Dr. Sally Marchant, PhD; RN; RM; ADM; DipEd
Prof. JG Thornton, MD; FRCOG;
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Rona McCandlish, RM; RMN; RN; MSc (Epid);
Sarah Beake, MSc; RM; RN; Research Midwife
Prof. Alison Macfarlane, BA; Dip Stat; C Stat; FFPH;
Professor of Perinatal Health
April Bolding, DPT; Childbirth Educator; Doula, USA
Dr. Helen Churchill, PhD; BA (Hons); Senior Lecturer
Dr. Louise Howard, PhD; MSc; MRCP; MRC Psych;
Senior Lecturer in Women's Mental Health
Sharon Hodgkiss, RN; RM; DipHE; BSc (Hons); MPH;
West Midlands Regional NSC Antenatal & Child Health
Screening Coordinator
Vicky Carne, MSc; BA (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Head of Midwifery, MIDIRS
Glenda Augustine, MPH; BSc (Hons); RM; DipHV, RGN
Debra Kroll, MSc; PGCEA; ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Lecturer in Practice
Michelle Lynn, BEd (Hons); ADM; RM; RN;
Midwifery Advisor, Nursing and Midwifery Council
Chrissie Hammonds, MSc; RM; RN;
Midwife Ultrasonographer
Sara Wickham, MA; BA (Hons); RM; PGCE (A);
Midwife & Author
Dr. Sandy Oliver, PhD; BA; Reader in Public Policy
Sally Cottrell, RM; BSc; MSc; MICG; NNEB; Consultant
Midwife Public Health, Women & Family
Dr. Gillian Flett, FRCOG; FFSRH; MIPM; Consultant in
Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinical Lead, NHS Grampian
Amanda Mansfield, BSc (Hons); MSc; RM;
Consultant Midwife
Dr. Joyshri Sarangi, MBBS (Lond.); MBA; MRCP (UK);
MRCGP; FFPH; Consultant in Communicable Disease Control
