Occasionally, a federal or state governmental health agency will issue food safety warnings. These are usually of a temporary measure, lasting until the problem is corrected. The warning may involve a local area, state, region, or may involve the entire country. Pay attention to them.
Vegetarian Nutrition
The human intestinal tract will tolerate a fairly broad diet. Human beings are probably designed to be omnivores with a significant leaning toward the vegetarian end of the spectrum. It is well established that a diet high in animal-source fats and proteins contributes to increased risk of heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and colon cancer.
Vitamin A
If you eat a well-balanced diet AND take a supplement that contains more than 3,000 IU (800 RE) of Vitamin A, you may want to re-consider taking the supplement before you get pregnant. Vitamin A is a suspected teratogen, and some Vitamin A-type compounds are documented teratogens. A teratogen is a substance which can cause birth defects.
Folic Acid
Before you become pregnant, start taking a vitamin supplement which contains folic acid. Folic acid (also known as folacin) is one of the B vitamins. It is known as “folate” when found in natural food sources. Recents studies show that folic acid deficiency may be a significant factor in the formation of neural tube defects (birth defects involving the brain and/or spinal cord).
Protein
The National Research Council recommends that adult men and women ingest daily (on average) about 0.75 gm of protein for every kilogram of weight. A gram is about the weight of one lima bean. A kilogram is 2.2 pounds. A woman weighing 125 pounds should consume about 43 grams of protein per day. An ounce is about 28 grams. So, 2 ounces of a protein per day would meet that requirement.
Calories, Weight and Body Mass
If you are significantly underweight or overweight, consult a dietician before you get pregnant. If you have a history of bulemia or anorexia, discuss this with your clinician. Unless you are significantly underweight, you will not need additional calories prior to your pregnancy.
Your Nutrition Before Pregnancy
Your body and your body’s nutritional stores will supply the building blocks of life for your baby. Proper nutrition is essential for both you and your baby. Of all the factors you have control over before, during and after pregnancy, the food you place in your mouth and swallow may be the most important. What can you do before conception to prepare for all this? Hopefully you do not need to do much, but a few things warrant consideration.