Pregnancy and breastfeeding are times of amazing and immense change in a woman’s life. Therefore, most women recognise the importance of eating well and having a healthy lifestyle while they are pregnant. 

The first thing to know is that being underweight or overweight can affect a woman’s chances of conceiving. Secondly, these conditions might have serious consequences for her health during pregnancy and the health of her unborn baby. 

That’s why you should prepare your body for pregnancy and support your nutrient needs.

Eating healthy during pregnancy

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time but is especially vital if you’re pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow.

Check the NHS website for more info about pregnancy diet.

All over the world, this is recognised as the best way to feed babies. The unique composition of breast milk provides all the nutrients that a young infant needs. It helps protect the baby against ill health and also offers significant health benefits for the mother. Just like pregnancy, breastfeeding is a drain on the mother’s nutrient stores. Therefore a varied and balanced diet is needed to support her body during this time. 

What are the benefits of correct nutrition?

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Mothers require a proper and personalised meal plan with a diet rich in nutrients to support the baby’s growth and health. Contact our nutritionist for a tailored diet.

Yes. During lactation, a mother’s need for iodine and choline rises. Throughout the first year following childbirth, lactating moms are advised to ingest 290 mcg of iodine and 550 mg of choline daily.

Dairy products, eggs, shellfish, and iodized table salt all contain iodine. Foods high in protein and dairy, such as eggs, meats, some seafood, beans, peas, and lentils, contain choline. In order to ensure proper intake, healthcare professionals should consult lactating women to decide whether they require an iodine or choline supplement.

Generally, women do not need to limit or avoid specific foods. Mothers should be encouraged to eat healthily and diverse. However, certain types of seafood should be consumed in a limited amount and some mothers may wish to restrict caffeine.

Breastfed infants of women who do not consume any animal products may have very limited amounts of vitamin B12 in their bodies.

These low amounts of vitamin B12 can put their infants at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can result in neurological damage. Iron may also be of concern as plant-source foods only contain non-heme iron, which is less bioavailable than heme iron.

The NHS recommends vitamin B12 supplementation for mothers who eat vegan or vegetarian diets. Health care providers should work with lactating individuals eating a vegetarian or vegan diet to determine if they also need supplementation of iron and other nutrients such as choline, zinc, iodine, or omega-3 fats (EPA/DHA).