One should always eat a well balanced diet composed of all food types. You should be much more careful about what you eat after you conceive as now you have to eat for two people, for yourself and your baby. Try to maintain a healthy and a well balanced diet throughout the pregnancy and even after the delivery, as you will be breast-feeding the baby.

The first trimester is difficult for most of the expectant mothers because food tolerance is different for different women. Because of the nausea and altered food habits some gain and lose weight. You should try to prevent malnutrition and dehydration by taking folate. About 400 micrograms of folate should be consumed to prevent abnormalities like spina bifida.

Eat healthy food and take about 300 calories more than you usually do. Take small and frequent meals or healthy snacks. If you are gaining a lot of weight then decrease the size of the portion, eat slowly and take low fat food like skimmed milk or frozen yogurt.

You and your baby’s bones require 1500 mg of calcium per day in the second trimester. To fulfill the daily requirement consume dairy products, juices and calcium supplements. Foods like whole grains, fruits and vegetables contain fiber thus prevent constipation during pregnancy.

Sufficient protein should be taken for a healthy diet. Most pregnancy women are found to be anemic so good iron sources like dark leafy green vegetables and meats or supplements should be consumed. Vitamins in the form of fruits and vegetables or even supplements should be taken by pregnant women to prevent any kind of nutritional deficiencies during the pregnancy.