To meet the nutritional needs of mother and baby during pregnancy and lactation in order to support optimal growth and development.
Use the food Guide Pyramid as a tool in making healthful food choices .
Increase calories above nonpregnant needs by an average of 300 kcal/day during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and 500 kcal/day for lactation .
Energy needs may be increased for adolescents during pregnancy, depending on age and activity level and for adolescents who are lactating. Energy needs may be increased for women who are breastfeeding more than one infant, pregnant while breastfeeding, or underweight.
Include 60 g/day protein for adults and adolescents during pregnancy. Include 65 g/day for the first 6 months of lactation and 62 g/day during the second 6 months. Protein needs may be increased if breastfeeding more than one infant .
Emphasize consumption of dairy products and an iron-rich diet to meet calcium and iron needs. Supplemental calcium may be needed for complete vegetarians and for women under the age of 25 years who are not consuming dairy products. Supplemental iron (30 mg of elemental iron; 60-120 mg for iron-deficiency anemia) is needed daily during pregnancy and may be recommended for a short interval postdelivery. Iron needs are not increased above normal during lactation .
Supplementation with folic acid is recommend preconception (0.4 mg /day), during pregnancy (0.6 mg /day), and during lactation (0.5 mg/day). Women who have already had a birth with a neural tube defect will have increased needs during current pregnancy, with levels of Supplementation per physician prescription .
Meet requirements for other vitamins and minerals by selecting a variety of foods.