Pregnancy

• High quality diets = Decreased rates of congenital malformation & fetal growth restriction
• Energy need

  • Increase average 300 kcal/ day
  • Protein & fat synthesis + Maintain expanding amount of metabolically active tissue
  • Energy requirements changes depending on the timing of maternal & fetal tissue formation
  • 1st trimester: no increase
  • 2nd trimester: + 340 kcal/ day
  • 3rd trimester: + 452 kcal/ day
• Carbohydrate

  • 45-65% total calorie intake; Min.: 175g per day
  • Function: Meet the fetal brain’s need of glucose
  • Maintain blood sugar level: Small + Frequent nutrient dense meals
• Protein

  • Function: Provide amino acid for tissue accretion (e.g. skin, muscle, enzyme, antibody, collagen, placenta, uterus, breast)
  • RDA: Additional 25 g per day > Non-pregnant women; Prevent muscle breakdown
  • X High protein supplement; Harmful to the infant’s development
• Fat

  • Similar to non-pregnant; High nutrient requirement leave X room in the diet for excess fat
  • Essential FA (e.g. Omega-3 & Omega-6): Structural components of cell membrane in the brain, Neural tissue, Retina of the fetus, Precursors for Eicosanoids
  • 13 g of linoleic acid (Omega-6) daily; 1.4 g of other essential FA & alpha linolenic acid (Omega-3)
  • 9% of alpha linolenic acid converted to EPA & DHA