Nutrition and Pregnancy Essay example

Submitted By ariatzky
Words: 1039
Pages: 5
Open Document
Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy
Arianna Kautzky
Clayton State University

Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy Adequate nutrition is essential to sustaining life throughout the life span. It is especially important for women to maintain adequate caloric intake with healthful nutrition during the months of pregnancy. During pregnancy, there is an increased need for vitamins and minerals such as: folic acid and iron as well as adequate intake of fruits and vegetables. In addition to eating a well balanced diet, it is also important for women to take prenatal vitamins to ensure sufficient intake of vitamins and minerals vital for the healthy development of the fetus. M.C. is a 25-year-old female who is in her 1st trimester of pregnancy (12 weeks). She is a moderately active young adult and states that she attends yoga class three times a week as well as running three times a week. She has a very good understanding of the changing needs of her diet now that she is with child. She began taking Rainbow Light organic prenatal multi-vitamin upon the news of her pregnancy. Based her gestational age as well as her pre-pregnancy weight, her caloric was determined to be at 2,200 calories (United States Department of Agriculture [USDA], 2014a). Her 24-hour dietary recall is as follows: Breakfast included: ½ cup granola, 1 medium banana (3/4 cup), 8 oz. fruit smoothie (1 cup), ½ cup soy milk, ½ raspberries, and 1 bottle of water (16.9 oz.); Lunch included: 4 oz. grilled chicken breast, 2 cups mixed green salad (1 cup), 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, and 1 bottle of water (16.9 oz.); Dinner included: ½ cup portabella mushroom (3/4 cup) , ½ cup avocado, ¼ cup tomato, ¼ cucumber, 1 cup mixed greens (1/2 cup), 1 slice cheddar cheese (3/4 cup), 1 medium fillet of baked salmon (9 /12 oz.), and. 1 bottle water (16.9 oz.); Snacks included: 2 unsalted rice cakes, 1 ½ tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 oz. tortilla chips, 1 medium banana (3/4 cup), 8 oz. of herbal tea, and 1 bottle of water (16.9 oz.).
While women who are pregnant increase their caloric intake to accommodate for the developing fetus, this increase should only be around 300-calorie/day (Ricci, 2013). M.C.’s total caloric intake for the day was 2,008 calories, which was within the parameters of her recommended 2,200 calories. However, her intake of the various food groups was not as balanced as it should be. Her grain and dairy intake were the two areas lacking. During the 24-hour time frame she consumed only 3 oz. of grain compared to the recommended 7 oz. M.C.’s dairy intake was about half of the recommended amount of 3 cups. Her protein and fruit intake however, were over the recommended amounts. Her fruit intake was at 3 ¼ cups compared to 2 cups and her protein intake was 16 oz. compared to the recommended 6 oz. The only area that met the target serving was the vegetable category, which amounted to 3 cups comparable to the 3¼ cup recommended for the daily intake. Additionally, she consumed a sufficient amount of water and stated that she is diligent in taking her prenatal vitamins daily.
M.C. is on the right track with her keeping her caloric intake within the recommended amount. However, she does need some counseling with modifying the intake of several of the food groups. The foods in the areas she is lacking are vital to the development of the fetus. Whole grains are excellent sources of both folic acid and iron, two very important nutrients that contribute to reducing neural tube defects in the fetus as well as helping prevent iron deficiency anemia of the mother (USDA, 2014b). M.C. can increase her intake of grains by adding a cup of whole grain rice with her lunch or adding a snack of a couple of ounces of dry cereal into her daily diet. Her dietary intake of dairy was also an area lacking. According to Brantsaeter et al., prenatal dairy intake, especially cow’s milk, can
Show More

Related Documents: Nutrition and Pregnancy Essay example

Essay on Nutrition and Pregnancy

Nutrition and Pregnancy By:Alexis Hernandez Intro to Nutrition: MWF 10-10:50 December 3, 2012 I chose to do my project on Nutrition and Pregnancy. I feel I can really relate to this topic and be interested with the information considering the fact that I have a 4½ year old daughter, and helped multiple family members and friends throughout their pregnancies, even the birth of their children. Also this will be great research that can benefit me in the future due to the fact that I’m currently…

Words 3641 - Pages 15

Essay about Nutrition and Pregnancy

nutrients for the baby as it will help protect them whilst they’re developing in the womb, this would also help protect the health of the mother and provide optimal growth and development of her baby that is in the womb. In the first half of pregnancy, the nutrition requirements mainly concern quality, while in the second half; quantity is also an issue to ensure fetal growth. With good and proper nutritional habits there should already be an establishment at the start of their second life. And if possible…

Words 945 - Pages 4

Nutrition and Healthy Foods Essay

Ashley Lanetti Prof. Resente ENG 101 ONLN 7 December 3, 2014 Health and Pregnancy In recent years, the cost of fruits and vegetables has continued to rise, making healthy foods less affordable. During pregnancy, it is important to keep good nutrition. With the rising costs, low-income households have a more difficult time than wealthy households in prioritizing and buying healthy foods. To improve the basic quality of life of all people, it is necessary for the government to put programs in place…

Words 1391 - Pages 6

Essay on Wic Program

Services is a federal program that provides health care and proper nutrition to low income pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women during a crucial time for both mothers and babies. The mission of WIC is to “safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, and children up to age 5 who are at nutrition risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.” (Food and Nutrition Service, 2010). Services are provided through various health…

Words 1033 - Pages 5

Essay about Nutrition throughout your life

NUTRITION THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE SCI/241 LEIGH ANN ROBBINS-VIRTUE What does nutrition mean to you: Nutrition is the basic nutrients needed for you body to be able to function properly. Nutrition is what keeps every living thing alive. Throughout a humans life, our nutritional needs will change drastically. NUTRIENT “A nutrient is anything that nourishes a living being. We humans get our nutrients from what we eat, plants get theirs from the soil. While the best nutrients are natural, we can also…

Words 876 - Pages 4

Spina Bifida Literature Review

ongoing care, and the prospects of prenatal surgery. When describing the factors associated with spina bifida, the article noted the role of genetics, gene mutations, hormones, and maternal nutrition which particularly includes “the enrichment of staple foods with folic acid” (Sikander et al., 2017). During pregnancy, an increase in folic acid has been found to correlate with a decrease in the incidence of spina bifida, as well as other neural tube defects. Prenatal tests used to diagnose spina bifida…

Words 497 - Pages 2

EPY 203 Powerpoint Essay

weeks • Rate of cell differentiation intensifies, support system for the cells form, and organs appear The Fetal Period • Lasts about seven months • Growth and development continue their dramatic course during this time Things to Consider: • Nutrition • Exercise • Prenatal care Fathers Role In Bonding • Involves more physical playfulness while mothers role involves more talking and silent interaction. • Talking to the baby through partners belly • Attending childbirth classes with the mother…

Words 685 - Pages 3

ReserachProposalPaper WIC 2

that protect unborn children of addicted mothers. Introduction The WIC program is a program that is very important in the community. It helps mothers with low income needs the ability to supply their children with the necessities on the food and nutrition basis. WIC stands for women, infants, and children. WIC's Mission is to "safeguard the health of lonely income women infants and children up to age 5 who or is a nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement their diet information…

Words 2808 - Pages 12

Adolescent Pregnancy Clinic Essay

physical health>menstrual cycle>recreational drugs, ETOH, their diet impact of pregnancy>baby daddy> family>friends ~attitude toward pregnancy, plans, knowledge of pregnancy, know baby care? Dating violence? Working? emotional and financial support, Fathers degree of involvement in pregnancy Importance of prenatal visits, diet Support services>food banks>special supplemental nutrition program fo women, infants and children -Adolescents usually receive prenatal care…

Words 3143 - Pages 13

Osteoporosis Case Studies

Nutrition is the study of the nutrients in foods, and the body, sometimes also the study of human behavior related to food (Sizer & Whitney, 2014) Nutrients are components of food that are indispensable to the body’s functioning, serving multiple functions…

Words 934 - Pages 4