Pregnancy and Lactation Nutritional Requirements

Pregnancy and Lactation Diet Requirements

• Pregnancy is a demanding physiological state
• Malnutrition during pregnancy leads to a high prevalence of low birth weight infants and high maternal mortality
• Additional foods are needed to improve pregnancy weight gain (10-12 kg) and infant birth weight (around 3 kg)

Nutritional Requirements During Pregnancy

• Daily diet should include additional calories and protein
• First trimester: 350 extra calories and 0.5 grams of protein
• Second trimester: 350 extra calories and 6.9 grams of protein
• Third trimester: 350 extra calories and 22.7 grams of protein
• Micronutrients are also crucial in increased amounts

Essential Nutrients for Mother and Fetus

• Calcium is essential during pregnancy and lactation for proper bone and tooth development in the offspring, breast milk production, and prevention of osteoporosis in the mother
• Pregnant/lactating women should eat a wide variety of foods to meet their own and the fetus's nutritional needs

Additional Care During Pregnancy

• Plenty of fluids (8-12 glasses of water daily) are crucial
• Maintaining a normal salt intake is important to prevent pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia
• Avoid excess caffeine-containing beverages as they can negatively impact fetal growth
• Adequate physical exercise with adequate rest (2-3 hours daily) is necessary
• Pregnant and lactating women should avoid taking medications without consulting a doctor, as some medications can harm the fetus

Vegetarian Diets

• Vegetarian diets vary widely, from diets with minimal animal products to excluding all animal products, which are determined by personal choice, culture, or scarcity
• Vegans are strict vegetarians who exclude all animal products and are at the highest risk of nutritional deficiencies
• Lacto-vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians, and lacto-ovo-vegetarians consume milk, eggs, or both, respectively
• Some vegetarians only avoid meat and poultry, but consume fish
• Other vegetarian dietary variations exist

Macronutrients in Vegetarian Diets (Carbohydrates and Fats)

• Carbohydrates and fats are plentiful in vegetarian diets
• Complete proteins may require combinations of legumes/lentils, nuts/seeds, grains, and/or selected vegetables (e.g., soy milk, soy protein, potatoes, tofu)

Micronutrients Concerns in Vegetarian Diets

• Vegans and vegetarians should ensure an adequate intake of minerals/vitamins that may be limited in their diets
• Include vegetables high in calcium such as spinach, turnip, collard greens, kale, and broccoli
• Fortify their diet with calcium-fortified foods such as tofu, soy milk, and fortified fruit juices to receive adequate calcium.

Vitamin Deficiencies in Vegetarian Diets

• Vitamin B12 is not found in plant foods
• Riboflavin deficiency is possible with low milk consumption
• Vegans can obtain B12 and other vitamins from enriched foods, fortified products, or dietary supplements

Vitamin D Intake

• Vitamin D adequacy may be challenging for certain populations
• Sources of vitamin D include fortified milk, enriched cereals, fortified juices, or supplements
• Adequate sun exposure between the 40-degree latitude parallels can provide vitamin D, which is sufficient for young to middle-aged people; older people may lack adequate vitamin D synthesis from the sun and need supplementation