Nutrient Needs During Pregnancy

Protein needs of the pregnant woman are 1.1g/kg body weight/ day or simply an extra 25grams/day.Groups which need special attention to ensure adequate protein intake include vegetarians and vegans, low income families, and woman with severe nausea and vomiting.Lipid needs during pregnancy does not differ from that before pregnancy, and should comprise 20-35% of total calories.Omega 3 deficiency has been linked with lower IQ and lower visual acuity in infants, thus they should be supplemented during pregnancy and lactation.Also choline is essential for development of the brain and spinal cord and can be found in milk, liver, eggs and peanuts.Fiber requirements are 28 grams/day.Good sources are fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, seeds, and nuts.Carbohydrate requirements are 175 grams/ day.If the mother is diabetic, this is slightly reduced.Vitamin A: BEWARE.Needs are only slightly higher than prepregnant needs, and excess is associated with high risk of birth