Nutrition: Health24: Pregnancy

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Pregnancy nutrition tips

The most basic thing you can do to ensure that you have a successful pregnancy is to ensure that your diet is balanced. A well-balanced diet should include the following foods.

Fatty acids and pregnancy

Fatty acids play a critical role in the normal growth of the placenta and the development of the foetus, in particular the brain and eyes.

Beware of certain foods

Certain foods are potentially dangerous to the pregnant woman, because they might contain toxins, allergens or harmful bacteria. We show you what to avoid.

Caffeine: what about that cuppa?

The effect of caffeine on pregnancy has been the source of many a debate in the last few years. Is it harmful to drink coffee when you are pregnant?

Alcohol in pregnancy

We all know that alcohol is harmful to the foetus. Because we still don't know what the safe limit is, it is best to avoid a drink altogether.

Strange eating habits of pregnancy

You're pregnant and you're having strange cravings. The weirdest, inedible substances are making your mouth water. Why does this happen and what can you do to prevent it?

Suggested diet plan

Here is an example of a healthy meal plan.

Fish on the menu for pregnant moms?

A number of DietDoc forum users are concerned about the safety of eating fish and/or sushi during pregnancy. These readers have good reason to be worried. Find out why.

Mom-to-be? Get the right omega-3s

Getting your omega-3 fatty acids is particularly important if you're planning a baby, or already pregnant or breastfeeding. Here's how to get the balance right.

Menu for moms-to-be

You're pregnant and you really are eating for two. See this guide to to foods you should eat and foods to avoid while you are expecting.

Advice to the pregnant vegetarian

Vegetarian diets tend to be lower in protein, iron, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12, B2 and D, due to the dietary absence of products of animal origin.

Essential nutrients for pregnancy

In this article, DietDoc takes a look at essential nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and essential fatty acids and the role they play in prenatal development.

Weight gain during pregnancy

Thousands of women all over the world gain weight during pregnancy and then battle for months, if not years, to shed those unwanted kilograms. What can be done?

Organic claims often overstated

When you pay more for organic food, are you getting what you pay for? Not necessarily.

What is folic acid?

Folate, one of the B-group vitamins, is also called folic acid. It plays a crucial role in early foetal nervous system development.

Eat fish during pregnancy

It is always surprising when people do not like fish, seafood and molluscs of every shape, colour and size, especially as fish has so many benefits to all people, young and old.

Diet and pregnancy blood pressure

Pre-eclampsia and eclampsia are two dangerous pregnancy-related conditions. Can these be controlled by the diet of the pregnant woman? DietDoc takes a closer look at this issue.

What moms should eat

Researchers are realising how important diet is during pregnancy and the positive effects good diets can have on the health and intelligence of children many years after birth.

Probiotics help weightloss

Pregnant women who take probiotic supplements starting in the first trimester are less likely to develop central obesity after they've given birth, according to a new study.

Multivitamins during pregnancy

Clinical trial shows that multivitamins during pregnancy improve nutritional status of mothers in the developed world and may reduce the risk of small-for-gestational-age babies