The Mothers Diet

As the mum, your body carries the baby, therefore your food intake is your unborn childs. Your pregnancy diet needs to supply your unborn child with the right vitamins, minerals and nutrition to enable your child to meet the important growth and development milestones whilst pregnant. If you intend to breastfeed, there are various foods that can build nutrients in your body, allowing you more energy in order to labour and produce the important breast milk from birth.

Your Relationship with your Health Practitioner

Discuss your concerns and needs with your healthcare practitioner. They will be able to create a trailored program for you that suits your needs. Remember to mention any symptoms you may be experiencing including lack of energy and any issues with foods.

Our INParenting Checklist to Consider when Pregnant

• Include foods that contain iron
• Include a wide variety of nutritious foods in your pregnancy diet
• Eat plenty of breads and cereals (preferably wholegrain), vegetables & legumes and fruits
• Have a pregnancy diet that is low in fat and, in particular, low in saturated fat
• Consume foods that are high in calcium
• Maintain a healthy body weight by balancing physical activity and food intake
• If you drink alcohol, limit your intake or cut it out completely for the healthiest pregnancy diet
• Consume only a moderate amount of sugars and foods containing added sugars
• Choose low salt foods for your pregnancy diet and use salt sparingly
• Include foods that encourage and support breastfeeding

Once you are on a well-balanced pre-pregnancy and pregnancy diet, ensure you are getting enough exercise, this may include walking, low impact exercise and any other movements that are recommended to you. 

Your pregnancy diet should look after your body, as a mother-to-be, as well as your unborn child's