Pregnancy is a critical period during which maternal nutrition and lifestyle choices are major influences on mother and child health.
Inadequate levels of key nutrients during crucial periods of fetal development may lead to reprogramming within fetal tissues, predisposing the
infant to chronic conditions in later life. Improving the well-being of mothers, infants,
and children is key to the health of the next generation. This position paper and the
accompanying practice paper (www.eatright.org/members/practicepapers) on the same
topic provide registered dietitian nutritionists and dietetic technicians, registered; other
professional associations; government agencies; industry; and the public with the
Academy’s stance on factors determined to influence healthy pregnancy, as well as an
overview of best practices in nutrition and healthy lifestyles during pregnancy.
J Acad Nutr Diet. 2014;114:1099-110