If you are pregnant or are planning to get pregnant, it is important that you eat nutritiously and take prenatal vitamins for your health and the health of your unborn child.
Benefits
Eating nutritiously and taking prenatal vitamins will help your baby's development and can also help prevent the risk of some defects. For example, folic acid helps prevent the risk of brain or spinal defects.
Recommendations
The USDA recommends that pregnant women eat the following servings of food per day: six to 11 breads and cereals, three to five vegetables, two to four fruits, two to three proteins and two to three dairies. Pregnant women should drink at least eight cups of water per day and get plenty of iron, protein, folic acid and calcium in their diets.
Types
There are many foods you can choose from to meet the recommended dietary guidelines. There are also several types of prenatal vitamins from which to choose; you can take over-the-counter vitamins or get a prescription from your doctor. Different vitamins have different amounts of nutrients.
Foods to Avoid
According to Mayo Clinic, there are several foods that pregnant women should avoid, including fish high in mercury (swordfish and king mackerel), raw fish and shellfish, undercooked meat, unpasteurized food and unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Warning
Prenatal vitamins should not take the place of proper nutrition. Take these in addition to eating nutritiously during pregnancy.
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