Details on nutrition needs of a pragnent women including vitamins and mineral are discussed
A diet during pregnancy should provide protein, Vitamin C, D, E, K and folic acid to the pregnant women. The requirement of some of these nutrients is increased in a pregnant women than a normal one. However, pregnant women should not eat very high Vitamin A foods because large amounts of Vitamin A can be harmful to the baby.
Vitamin D 76% of pregnant mothers are vitamin D deficient, causing vitamin D deficiency in their unborn children, which increases the risk of type 1 diabetes, arthritis, multiple sclerosis and schizophrenia later in life.
Foods with vitamin D
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Vitamin A requirement is increased by about 25% for the development of foetus. Low intake of vitamin C may lead to premature rupture of foetal membranes. A deficiency of Vitamin C in the mother may result in neonatal death. Vitamin D helps in calcium metabolism of the foetus while Vitamin K is essential for preventing neonatal hemorrhage. The B vitamins like thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin are required in larger quantities for functioning of muscle and nerve tissues .
In the following table the nutrient need for a pregnant women of age between 18 and 50 years are given below.
| Nutrient | Normal Women | Pregnant Woman per day |
| Calories | Depends on woman | 200- 300 calories more a day than you usually eat |
| Vitamin A | 12000IU | extra 2500IU source: tomato, peach, kiwi fruit, oranges, watermelon, blackberries. Sources of Vitamin A |
| Vitamin C | 60mg | extra 10mg source: banana, Apple, lemon, blackberries, cantaloupe, watermelon, tomato, lime, peach, grape. Sources of Vitamin C |
| Vitamin E | - | extra 2mg source: corn oil, blueberries, whole wheat. Sources of Vitamin E |
| Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 1.7mg | extra 0.3mg source: milk, bread, kiwi fruit, avocado. Sources of Vitamin B2 |
| Vitamin B12 | 2mcg | extra 0.2mcg source: chedder cheese, egg, yogurt, milk, meat. Sources of Vitamin B12 |
| Folic acid, folate | 400mcg | extra 200mcg source: kiwi, blackberries, tomato, orange, strawberry, banana, cantaloupe, lima beans, asparagus, avocado, peas, artichoke, spinach, nuts. Sources of Folic acid, folate |
| Iron | 15mg | extra 15-45mg sources: beans, soybean, oat bran, barley, seeds, dried fruit, artichokes, spinach, seaweed, animal sources |
| Magnesium | 310mg | extra 30-40mg sources: nuts, seeds, figs, lemon, apple, grapefruit, corn, almond, dark green vegetables |
| Zinc | 8mg | extra 3-4mg sources: wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, pork loin, eggs |
| Selenium | 55mcg | extra 5mcg sources: wheat germ, broccoli, tomatoes, Brazil nuts, tuna |
| Molybdenum | 45mcg | extra 5mcg sources: whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, beans. |
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