Preconception Nutrition Quiz

Preconception Nutrition

• Preconception nutrition is crucial for preparing for pregnancy.
• Factors like weight compared to height, and diet choices impact maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.
• Recent research highlights the vital role of nutrition and lifestyle in fertility.
• Nutrient intake, including from food and supplements, alter the egg and sperm development environment and reproductive hormone levels.
• Nutritional factors primarily influence fertility temporarily. Normal fertility returns following intervention.
• A woman's nutrition significantly impacts the developing fetus more than a man's.
• Maintaining a healthy body weight is critical.
• Underweight and overweight individuals are associated with reduced fertility.
• Excess body fat in women can disrupt menstrual cycles and hormone production.
• Pre-pregnancy weight strongly affects the baby's birth weight. Underweight women are more likely to have smaller babies.
• Overweight women have a higher risk of gestational diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Consult a healthcare provider for weight recommendations before trying to conceive.

Recommended Diet

• A well-balanced diet is key before pregnancy.
• Follow the MyPlate guideline, which has five food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy.
• Choose a variety of vegetables, including dark, red, and orange vegetables and legumes.
• Opt for fresh, canned (low sodium), or frozen vegetables without additional seasonings.
• Grains include whole-wheat, brown rice, and oatmeal
• Fruits include fresh, canned, frozen, and dried—both whole, cut up, or pureed forms.
• Lean meats and poultry, along with fish, nuts, seeds, peas, and beans are good protein choices.
• Use fat-free or low-fat dairy products high in calcium.

Essential Nutrients

• Folic acid: Essential for all women of childbearing age (400 mcg daily), and pregnant women need 600 mcg. It's found in green leafy vegetables, nuts, beans, citrus fruits, and some fortified cereals and supplements. Folic acid helps prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord. Most beneficial during the first 28 days of conception. Neural tube defects often occur during this time.
• Vitamin A: Should be avoided by pregnant women because supplements can cause birth defects if not prescribed while not pregnant or actively trying to conceive.
• Iron: Women (especially over 18) need 18mg daily to build up iron stores to support the developing fetus. Sources include red meats, poultry, fish, leafy greens, legumes, whole grains and iron-enriched foods.

Lifestyle Factors

• Physical activity: Regular exercise and daily physical activity should supplement a healthy diet.
• Caffeine: Limit caffeine intake (including chocolate) to below 200-300mg daily to improve fertility. It impedes the absorption of iron and calcium.
• Harmful substances: Avoid cigarettes, second-hand smoke, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. These harmful substances can affect the baby's health.
• Chronic conditions: Women with chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome need medical nutrition therapy before and during pregnancy.