Pregnancy Do’s and Don’ts

Pregnancy and healthy eating

Eat this. Don’t eat that. Do this. Don’t do that. Pregnant women are bombarded with Dos and Don’ts. Use this handy list from Womenshealth.gov to keep it all straight.

Pregnancy Dos

• See your doctor regularly. Prenatal care can help keep you and your baby healthy and spot problems if they occur.

• Get 400 micrograms (400 mcg or 0.4 mg) of folic acid every day before and during pregnancy. Getting enough folic acid lowers the risk of some birth defects. Taking a vitamin with folic acid will help you to be sure you are getting enough.

• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, calcium-rich foods, and lean meats.

• Get all essential nutrients, including iron, every day. Getting enough iron prevents anemia, which is linked to preterm birth and low-birth weight babies. Ask your doctor about taking a daily prenatal vitamin or iron supplement.