This document provides information on nutrition for pregnant mothers, including recommended daily allowances of key nutrients, factors affecting nutritional status, roles of important nutrients, and dietary guidelines. The recommended daily allowances table shows increased calorie and nutrient needs for sedentary, moderate and heavy activity levels. Dietary guidelines emphasize a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, adequate protein and key nutrients like iron and folic acid. Maintaining proper nutrition is essential for supporting fetal growth and development.

1. BALANCED DIET
FOR PREGNANT
MOTHER

2. INTRODUCTION
• Nutritional status of the mother before and during
pregnancy is most critical for optimal growth and
development of the fetus.
• Nutritional requirement are increased to support fetal
growth , development of the placenta and maternal
tissues as well as to support maternal metabolism and
preparation for lactation.
• Maternal nutrient supply to the fetus begins with
conception and determines the rate of growth, body

3. RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER
Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Calories (kcal/d) 1900 +350 2230 + 350 2850 + 350
Protein (g/d) 65 65 65
Calcium (g/d) 1000 1000 1000
Iron (mg/d) 38 38 38
Zinc (mg/d) 12 12 12
Folic acid (μg/d) 400 400 400

4. Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Vitamin – A Retinol
(μg/d)
600 600 600
Vitamin – A
Carotene (μg/d)
2400 2400 2400
Thiamine (mg/d) 1.1 1.3 1.4
Riboflavin (mg/d) 1.3 1.5 1.7
RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER

5. Nutrients Sedentary Moderate Heavy
Cyanocobalamin
(mg/d)
1.5 1.5 1.5
Niacin (mg/d) 14 16 18
Pyridoxine (mg/d) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Vitamin - C 40 40 40
RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCES OF
PREGNANT MOTHER

6. Eat more food during pregnancy.
 Eat more whole grains, sprouted grams and fermented foods.
Take milk/meat/eggs in adequate amounts. Eat plenty of
vegetables and fruits. Avoid superstitions and food taboos.
 Do not use alcohol and tobacco.
Take medicines only when prescribed.
Take iron, folate and calcium supplements regularly, after 14-
16 weeks of pregnancy and continue the same during lactation.
IMPORTANT STEPS FOR
A HEALTHY PREGNANCY

7. FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY
• Family Support
• Food Availability
• Family Income
• Age at menarche and
conception
• Health status of the
women – past and present

8. • Physical Activity and
workload
• Personal Dietary habits
• Literacy level and nutrition
knowledge
• Belief and taboos related to
food and health care
FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

9. • Smoking , alcohol or
drug abuse
• Exposure to irradiation
• Availability of and
access to heath care
service and counseling
• Parity and birth spacing
FACTORS AFFECTING NUTRITIONAL
STATUS DURING PREGNANCY

11. Role in pregnancy :-
Cell division , DNA
synthesis , expansion
of blood volume and
Formation of
hormones , enzymes
and antibodies
PROTEIN :-
 Effects of
Deficiency
 Low maternal blood
volume
 Reduced growth of
placenta and the fetus
 PEM, Growth
retardation

12. FATS :-
Role in pregnancy :-
Provision of energy
Deposition of
adipose tissues
 Effects of Deficiency
Lower gestational
weight gain
Fetal growth may be
impaired

13. FATTY ACID (OMEGA
– 6 And OMEGA -3) :-
Role in
pregnancy :-
Support fetal
growth
particularly
of brain and
eye
 Effects of
Deficiency
Impaired Brain
development
and visual
acuity

14. FOLIC ACID:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Methylation and
DNA synthesis
• Cell Division
• Development of
heart, brain, spinal
cord and placenta
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired cell growth and
cell division
 Risk of neural tube defects,
megaloblastic anemia and
cancer in later life

15. VITAMIN - A:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Cell differentiation
during cell growth
• Development of
healthy bones, teeth
and eyes , etc..,
Effects of
Deficiency:-
 Fetal growth
retardation
 Low birth weight

16. VITAMIN - C:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• For formation of
collagen, connective
tissues, cartilage,
muscles and the
lowest layer of skin

17. ZINC:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Structural and
regulatory functions
as coenzymes
• Neurotransmission,
Maturation
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired DNA/RNA
synthesis and cell
division
 Low birth eight
 Infectious disease

18. IODINE:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Normal brain
development and
maturation
• Regulate metabolic
rate (BMR)
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Impaired blood cells
 Impaired functioning of
nervous system
 Physical and mental
retardation

19. CALCIUM:-
Role in pregnancy :-
• Maintain maternal
bone reserves and to
improve neonatal
bone density during
lactation
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Growth retardation
 Low bone density

20. VITAMIN - D:-
Role in
pregnancy
• Calcium
metabolism
• Bone
development
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Disorders of calcium
metabolism in both mother and
infant
 Neonatal hypocalcemia and
tetany
 Infant hypoplasia of tooth
enamel and maternal
osteomalacia

21. IRON:-
Role in pregnancy :-
Placenta Formation
Formation of Neurotransmitters
Synthesis of Heme
Production of Blood cells
Transport of oxygen to cells
Formation of metallo enzymes (
Iron depending Enzymes)

22. IRON:-
Effects of Deficiency:-
 Depleted blood volume
 Low hemoglobin level
 Anemia
 Maternal hypoferremia
 Irreversible changes in
some of the brain
function of fetus

23. DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR
PREGNANT MOTHER
• Ensure adequate weight gain
• Eat well – balanced meals with plenty of
fresh fruits and vegetables
• Increase intake of folate and iron rich foods
with vitamin C rich foods.
• Include foods rich in omega – 3 fatty acids,
calcium and carotenoids

24. • Increase intake of complex carbohydrate
foods rather than simple carbohydrates.
• Ensure that the RDA for protein is met by
good quality protein sources such as egg,
milk, oily fish and pulses.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, smoking, tannin
rich foods such as tea and coffee.
DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR
PREGNANT MOTHER

25. • Reduce intake salt, sugar and refined foods.
• Avoid skipping meals
• Eat small size meals at a time and eat several
times a day preferably at regular timing.
• Avoids processed foods and consume freshly
prepared meals
• Sedentary women should do regular exercise
like walking.
DIETARY GUIDELINES FOR
PREGNANT MOTHER

26. MENU PLANNING
FOR A PREGNANT
MOTHER

27. BREAK FAST
OR
OR
+
+

28. +
+
OR
MID MORNING

29. LUNCH
+

30. EVENING
OR
+
OR

31. DINNER
+
OR

32. THANK YOU