health 2020

Women and Maternal Nutrition-Dietary Plans

Improvement of maternal nutrition during pregnancy is of key importance to improve health of both mother & baby. Ideally, making healthy food choices should begin in the months prior to conception; however, for some women, as soon as she finds out she is pregnant, it is important that she makes sure her diet is as good as it can be. Australian dietary guidelines recommend that women enjoy a wide variety of nutritious foods every day from the five food groups such as: Fruit, vegetables of different types and colours, legumes and beans, Grain food (mostly wholegrain and/or high fibre varieties such as breads, cereals, rice, pasta and noodles Dairy foods like milk, cheese and yoghurt), Protein such as lean meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts and seeds. Prior to conceiving, during pregnancy and lactation, it can be difficult to meet these increased nutritional needs through diet alone. Taking a specially formulated nutritional supplement ensures that mother & baby get enough important nutrients such as - folic acid, iron, iodine, protein and vitamin D.