Nutrient Needs During Pregnancy
| Nutrient | Maternal Need | Fetal Need | Food Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Protein |
Maternal tissue growth: uterus, breasts, blood volume, storage |
Rapid fetal growth |
Milk and milk products; animal meats-muscle, organs; grains, legumes; eggs |
Calories |
Increased BMR |
Primary energy source for growth of fetus |
Carbohydrates: 4 kcal/g Proteins: 4 kcal/g Fats: 9 kcal/g |
Minerals Calcium (and phosphorus) |
Increase in maternal Ca²⁺ metabolism |
Skeleton and tooth formation |
Milk and milk products, especially natural cheese* |
Iron |
Increase in RBC mass Prevent anemia Decrease infection risk |
Liver storage (especially in third trimester) |
Organ meats-liver, animal meat; egg yolk; whole or enriched grains; green leafy vegetables; nuts |
Vitamin A |
Tissue growth |
Cell development-tissue and bone growth and tooth bud formation. |
Butter, cream, fortified margarine; green and yellow vegetables. |
Vitamin B |
Coenzyme in many metabolic processes |
Coenzyme in many metabolic processes |
Animal meats, organ meats; milk and cheese; beans, peas, nuts; enriched |
Folic Acid |
Meet increased metabolic demands in pregnancy Production of blood products |
Meet increased metabolic demands, including production of cell nucleus material Prevent neural tube defects |
Liver; deep-green, leafy vegetables |
Vitamin C |
Tissue formation and integrity Increase iron absorption |
Tissue formation and integrity |
Citrus fruit, berries, melons; peppers; green, leafy vegetables; broccoli; potatoes |
Vitamin D |
Absorption of Ca²⁺, phosphorus |
Mineralization of bone tissue and tooth buds |
Fortified milk and margarine |
Vitamin E |
Tissue growth; cell wall integrity; RBC integrity |
Tissue growth; cell integrity; RBC integrity |
Widely distributed: meat, milk, eggs, grains, leafy vegetables, vegetable oils |
*Natural cheese contains less lactose; therefore it is a good source for those with lactose intolerance. Tofu (soybean cake) also is high in calcium.