Slide Show: Nutritional Concerns of Women During Pregnancy and Lactation
Proper diet and good nutrition are vital for mother and infant during and after pregnancy, and consuming the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals gives the mother proper energy during pregnancy and lactation, and ensures healthy infant growth.
June 2, 2017
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Pregnancy and lactation are important times when good nutrition and a healthy diet are critical for both mother and infant. This slide show was adapted from chapter 6 of CRC Press’ e-book, “Nutritional Concerns of Women, Second Edition.”
Pregnancy represents an anabolic state in which an additional 8.5 g of protein per day is recommended. This additional protein is key to boosting energy and supporting placental and fetal tissue growth, and can be done by increasing food intake, decreasing energy expenditure and mobilizing fat stores.
Many women of childbearing age in the United States lack proper levels of vitamins and minerals before, during and after pregnancy. Vitamin B6, folate, zinc, iron and calcium are just a few that are consistently below recommended dietary allowances (RDAs), and which affect neurological diseases, fetal tissue and cell replication.
“Nutritional Concerns of Women, Second Edition” gives recommended doses of vitamins and minerals for pregnant women including iron, calcium, folate, zinc and copper. It also recommends multivitamins and herbal supplements once the safety of the supplements can be confirmed.
During the first six months of lactation, a mother spends 640 kcal/d and 510 kcal/day during the second six months just to breastfeed a single infant. It is recommended that a breastfeeding mother consume an additional 15 g of protein per day to avoid mobilization of lean tissue stores.
Exercise during pregnancy is generally safe for women with uncomplicated pregnancies, however women who do choose to exercise must maintain adequate intakes of calories, nutrients and fluids. During lactation, increased physical activity may help a woman lose weight, and no negative effects due to exercise have been observed on milk production or infant growth.
Exercise during pregnancy is generally safe for women with uncomplicated pregnancies, however women who do choose to exercise must maintain adequate intakes of calories, nutrients and fluids. During lactation, increased physical activity may help a woman lose weight, and no negative effects due to exercise have been observed on milk production or infant growth.
Proper diet and good nutrition are vital for mother and infant during and after pregnancy, and consuming the right amount of protein, vitamins and minerals gives the mother proper energy during pregnancy and lactation, and ensures healthy infant growth.
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