What type of food taken during pregnancy

You should not eat unpasteurised milk and cheese while pregnant. These make you ill or harm your baby. Foods to avoid in pregnancy.

Do not eat raw, under-cooked, or cold cured meats while you are pregnant. These include salami, parma ham, chorizo and pepperoni. Raw fish, shark, swordfish and marlin are also dangerous. Limit the amount of tuna you eat to one g cooked weight fresh tuna steak or two g cans - g drained weight per week. Do not eat more than 2 portions of oily fish each week. You should have less than 2 servings a day of fats, spreads and oils. This includes butter, margarine, mayonnaise and cooking oils.

Food or drinks high in fat, sugar or salt are not recommended for good health. This includes sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks, crisps, biscuits, muffins or cakes.

Page last reviewed: 17 September Next review due: 17 September Healthy eating during pregnancy. Eating regular meals with a variety of foods will help keep you healthy and strong. Staying healthy during your pregnancy - HSE mychild.

Manage cookie preferences. Information: Healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Nutrients you need in pregnancy Folic acid You should take a folic acid supplement with mg of folic acid per day for the first 12 weeks of your pregnancy. Iron You should eat foods rich in iron at least twice a day while pregnant. Try and eat a variety of haem and non-haem sources of iron. It is safest to drink none at all. Alcohol in the blood passes to the fetus via the umbilical cord, and too much exposure to alcohol can seriously undermine fetal development.

Also, there is a risk that the baby will develop a fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. This can result in vision or hearing problems, issues with attention, and low body weight, among other complications.

Consuming too much caffeine during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, fetal development issues, and a low birth weight. A caffeine intake as low as — milligrams mg per day could have a negative effect on fetal development.

The underlying reasons for this remain unclear. Many foods and drinks other than coffee contain caffiene. Examples include some sodas, energy drinks, chocolate, and teas. Some cold and flu remedies also contain caffeine. A doctor, nurse, or pharmacist can provide more guidance about which medicines are safe.

We give more information below. However, these are only recommendations. A doctor can can provide specific targets for each person based on their health. A person needs more of almost all the water- and fat-soluble nutrients during pregnancy.

As a result, medical professionals recommend taking prenatal supplements before, during, and after a pregnancy to support health and recovery. A well-rounded prenatal supplement contains all the necessary nutrients. These include , but are not limited to:. A person can shop for prenatal supplements here. A pregnant person should be consuming 27 mg of iron per day.

Most people can get enough from a healthy diet. However, supplements can help. According to the World Health Organization WHO , a person should consume mcg micrograms of folic acid per day up to the 12th week of pregnancy. Current guidelines state that a person requires 15 mcg , or international units IU , of vitamin D daily during pregnancy.

However, some health professionals believe this target to be too low. Some researchers have found that pregnant people need closer to 4, IU per day in order to maintain optimal vitamin D levels.

People who are breast- or chestfeeding need around 6, IU per day. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Dietary reference intakes for energy, carbohydrate, fiber, fat, fatty acids, cholesterol, protein, and amino acids macronutrients. Institute of Medicine. Accessed Dec.

Dietary supplement fact sheet: Folate. National Institutes of Health. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Iron. Dietary supplement fact sheet: Calcium. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ Nutrition during pregnancy. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Staying healthy and safe. Prenatal care, routine.

Bloomington, Minn. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. Department of Health and Human Services and U. Department of Agriculture. Dietary reference intakes for calcium and vitamin D.

Reaffirmed Preconception care. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; Make sure to wash any vegetables thoroughly before eating, since you will be more susceptible to infections during pregnancy. Fill your plate with healthy proteins. Your prenatal nutrition must include whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, cereals and oatmeal.

These will also ward off constipation and hemorrhoids, which are some of the common discomforts that you may experience during pregnancy.

Some people will warn you against fruit consumption when you ask them about what not to eat during pregnancy. This is a myth. If canned, choose unsweetened. Be cautious in your preparation of fruit. Rinsing your fruit is important since bacteria can be found on the outer rind or peel, which can cause illness or be harmful to you and baby. Cut off damaged or bruised spots to help remove any bacteria hiding out in these areas. It is worth noting that eating fruits should be done with care.

Observing how your body reacts every time you have some will help. For example, if you have a spike in your blood sugar or notice abnormal weight gain , you should cut back. During pregnancy, your body is more prone to infections, and pasteurization helps kill germs in dairies like cheese, yogurt and milk.

Ideally, pick dairy products that are low-fat. Among the many food restrictions during pregnancy, oils and fats are on top. However, your oil intake should be limited to six teaspoons every day. It is also important to consume only plant oils like olive, canola or safflower.