It is the position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics that women of childbearing
age should adopt a lifestyle optimizing health and reducing risk of birth defects,
suboptimal fetal development, and chronic health problems in both mother and child.
Components leading to healthy pregnancy outcome include healthy prepregnancy
weight, appropriate weight gain and physical activity during pregnancy, consumption of a
wide variety of foods, appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation, avoidance of
alcohol and other harmful substances, and safe food handling.