Melba Sahaya Sweety.D Child Health Nursing

1. BALANCED DIET
FOR PREGNANT
MOTHER

2. 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

3. 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

4. Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Vitamin – A Retinol
(μg/d)
600 600 600
Vitamin – A
Carotene (μg/d)
2400 2400 2400
Thiamine (mg/d) 1.1 1.3 1.4
Riboflavin (mg/d) 1.3 1.5 1.7
RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER

5. Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Cyanocobalamin
(mg/d)
1.5 1.5 1.5
Niacin (mg/d) 14 16 18
Pyridoxine (mg/d) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Vitamin - C 40 40 40
RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER

6. 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.
IMPORTANT STEPS FOR
A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

7. 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

8. • 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

9. • Smoking , alcohol or
drug abuse
• Exposure to irradiation
• Availability of and
access to heath care
service and counseling
• Parity and birth spacing
FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

11. Role in pregnancy :-
Cell division , DNA
synthesis , expansion
of blood volume and
Formation of
hormones , enzymes
and antibodies
PROTEIN :-
 Effects of
Deficiency
 Low maternal blood
volume
 Reduced growth of
placenta and the fetus
 PEM, Growth
retardation

12. FATS :-
Role in pregnancy :-
Provision of energy
Deposition of
adipose tissues
 Effects of Deficiency
Lower gestational
weight gain
Fetal growth may be
impaired

13. FATTY ACID (OMEGA
– 6 And OMEGA -3) :-
Role in
pregnancy :-
Support fetal
growth
particularly
of brain and
eye
 Effects of
Deficiency
Impaired Brain
development
and visual
acuity

14. FOLIC ACID:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Methylation and
DNA synthesis
• Cell Division
• Development of
heart, brain, spinal
cord and placenta
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired cell growth and
cell division
 Risk of neural tube defects,
megaloblastic anemia and
cancer in later life

15. VITAMIN - A:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Cell differentiation
during cell growth
• Development of
healthy bones, teeth
and eyes , etc..,
Effects of
Deficiency:-
 Fetal growth
retardation
 Low birth weight

16. VITAMIN - C:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• For formation of
collagen, connective
tissues, cartilage,
muscles and the
lowest layer of skin

17. ZINC:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Structural and
regulatory functions
as coenzymes
• Neurotransmission,
Maturation
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired DNA/RNA
synthesis and cell
division
 Low birth eight
 Infectious disease

18. IODINE:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Normal brain
development and
maturation
• Regulate metabolic
rate (BMR)
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired blood cells
 Impaired functioning of
nervous system
 Physical and mental
retardation

19. CALCIUM:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Maintain maternal
bone reserves and to
improve neonatal
bone density during
lactation
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Growth retardation
 Low bone density

20. VITAMIN - D:-
Role in
pregnancy
• Calcium
metabolism
• Bone
development
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Disorders of calcium
metabolism in both mother and
infant
 Neonatal hypocalcemia and
tetany
 Infant hypoplasia of tooth
enamel and maternal
osteomalacia

21. 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)

22. IRON:-
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Depleted blood volume
 Low hemoglobin level
 Anemia
 Maternal hypoferremia
 Irreversible changes in
some of the brain
function of fetus

23. 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

24. • 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

25. • 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.
DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR
PREGNANT MOTHER

26. MENU PLANNING
FOR A PREGNANT
MOTHER

27. BREAK FAST
OR
OR
+
+

28. +
+
OR
MID MORNING

29. LUNCH
+

30. EVENING
OR
+
OR

31. DINNER
+
OR

32. THANK YOU