HOME | Pregnancy | Eating | Diet for a pregnant woman: what you can eat and what you can't - advice from a nutritionist

Eating

03.04.2025 |

3 min reading

Diet for a pregnant woman: what you can eat and what you can't - advice from a nutritionist

Write a review |

Liked on Facebook Share on Telegram

Copy link

Diet for a pregnant woman: what you can eat and what you can't - advice from a nutritionist

Content

Evidence-Based Health Information Platform Team Take care of yourself. together with dietitian Tetyana Lakusta and Ministry of Health told what is special about a pregnant woman's diet and what products it should consist of.

During pregnancy, it is important to understand that in modern evidence-based medicine there is no such thing as a “special diet” for expectant mothers or breastfeeding women. Instead, international dietary guidelines for pregnant women emphasize the importance of a balanced diet, which is key to health for all people at any stage of life.

Pregnancy in numbers that every expectant mother will be interested to know about

Read the article

We provide some recommendations that will help ensure a balanced diet for a pregnant woman.

The diet of an expectant mother should primarily consist of products such as:

Vegetables of all kinds: Choose vegetables of different colors (dark green, red, orange, etc.) and experiment with ways to cook them.
Various fruits: better fresh than dried fruits, jams or juices.
Crops, at least half of which should be whole grains (oats, buckwheat, brown rice, whole wheat, bread, pastries and pasta made with whole wheat flour, and others).

Dairy products: Milk, yogurt, and cheese. Lactose-free versions and calcium-rich soy drinks and plant-based yogurts are also available. These are a good alternative for those who don't like dairy products and/or are lactose intolerant.

Protein-rich foods: lean meats (such as chicken, turkey, veal, rabbit), eggs, seafood, beans, peas and lentils, nuts, seeds and soy products.

Vegetable oils and butter, but it is better to reduce the consumption of tropical oils, which are rich in saturated fatty acids (palm, coconut, etc.). Tropical oils are often included in confectionery and snacks - waffles, cookies, donuts, chocolate and even frozen dough. Therefore, it is better to prepare such delicacies yourself at home, or give them up.

Source: freepik

Also, during pregnancy, it is important to follow certain nutritional recommendations:

Increase your protein intake, as it promotes proper growth and development of the baby. Include protein in a variety of dishes, such as bean soups or salads with nuts and tofu.
Add more complex carbohydrates and fiber to your diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. This contributes to a balanced diet and provides the energy you need.
Limit your intake of highly processed carbohydrates, such as semolina, white bread, sugary drinks. This helps control body weight and avoid a sharp increase in blood glucose levels, especially in pregnant women at risk of developing gestational diabetes.
Try to reduce your intake of added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium., limiting highly processed foods such as chips, sausages, and sugary drinks. This is a general recommendation, especially important for pregnant women.

Your doctor or midwife can provide you with individualized nutritional advice based on your health and other specifics.

Food safety for pregnant women

Food safety is extremely important during pregnancy, as some foods may contain pathogens that can cause infectious diseases, such as listeria, toxoplasma, E. coli, salmonella, and others. These infections and toxins can negatively affect fetal development and lead to diseases that cannot be treated during pregnancy. The risk of contracting certain infectious diseases also increases during pregnancy.

pregnant Food safety of a pregnant woman

Source: freepik

Therefore, it is important to follow these dietary rules:

Replace marinated, semi-raw, or smoked meats and poultry with cooked optionsThis also applies to semi-raw or semi-cooked seafood, such as sushi, shrimp or shellfish.
Avoid sprouted grains and microgreens, as they can also be a source of dangerous bacteria. Instead, consume freshly washed young greens or sprouts that have been cooked or added to a dish at the last minute.
Boil the eggs until the yolk is completely set.to kill any possible bacteria.
Consume only pasteurized dairy products.
Avoid blue cheeses and soft cheeses, as they may contain listeria. Opt for cottage cheese, mozzarella, or cream cheese.

The material was prepared with the support of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine and with funds from the Government of France. The opinions and views expressed in this publication reflect the views of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Government of France and/or the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Author: Tetyana Lakusta

Sources: National Health Service of Great Britain U.S. Department of Health & Human Services US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention FDA

Do pregnant women need to be vaccinated?

Read the article

The editorial opinion may not coincide with the opinion of the author of the article.

Use of photos: Clause 4, Article 21 of the Law of Ukraine "On Copyright and Related Rights" - "Reproduction for the purpose of covering current events by means of photography or cinematography, public communication or communication of works seen or heard during such events, to the extent justified by the informational purpose."

Article tags

pregnancy nutrition during pregnancy

Share interesting things