Making healthy food choices during your pregnancy has a big effect on your baby’s health. Getting the right vitamins and minerals will help your growing baby develop in the womb and give them an extra head start in their early years, too. A healthy diet with five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is a good place to start.
Here are some of the important nutrients for a healthy pregnancy:
Why is vitamin D important during pregnancy? Vitamin D helps your body absorb the calcium and phosphorus that are essential for your baby’s bone growth.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and supports bone health. In Singapore, low sun exposure can increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency. Food sources of vitamin D include oily fish and eggs. Vitamin D supplements may be recommended when your doctor determines that you need them.
Folate is one of the most essential nutrients during pregnancy. It is the natural form of vitamin B9 found in food, and it supports the healthy formation of the neural tube, which becomes your baby’s brain, nerves and spinal cord. Good food sources include fortified breakfast cereals, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits, asparagus and dried peas.
Folic acid is the man-made form of folate found in supplements. Because it’s hard to get enough folate from food alone, folic acid is important during pregnancy for reducing the risk of neural tube defects. Nutrition scientists recommend taking a folic acid supplement for at least three months before trying for a baby, or as soon as you find out you’re pregnant, and through the first 12 weeks.
A varied, balanced diet gives you and your unborn baby most of the key nutrients you both need, but every pregnancy is different. For personalised advice on supplements or vitamins needed during pregnancy or your current pregnancy diet, speak to your doctor or healthcare professional.
For more guidance and tips, explore the Karihome blog.
