Each food group has many important vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to support your baby’s growth and development. A good way to explain appropriate weight gain in pregnancy is the one, two, three rule. Eating a healthy, varied diet in pregnancy will help you get most of the vitamins and minerals you need. However, the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS) ... It’s good for both men and women to eat a healthy diet whether they’re trying to get pregnant or not. But sodium is in all sorts of prepared foods, which means the average person still consumes way too much.In fact, most Americans eat on average about 3,400 milligrams of sodium per day. However, a few nutrients in a pregnancy diet deserve special attention. For more information please read the information on the NHS … Energy needs do not change in the first six months of pregnancy. Even during pregnancy, the same numbers apply. Here's what tops the list. Your diet before pregnancy will affect your baby’s development in the womb and their health in the future. Any woman can develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, but you're at an increased risk if: your body mass index (BMI) is above 30 – use the healthy weight calculator to work out your BMI you previously had a baby who weighed 4.5kg (10lb) or more at birth Find out more about Healthy Start and to see whether you are eligible . Having a good diet and being active will: increase your chances of becoming pregnant; improve the likelihood of having a healthy baby; reduce the risk of complications But when you're pregnant, or there's a chance you might get pregnant, you should take a folic acid supplement. If your diet has a lot of saturated fat and sugar before and during pregnancy, your children will be more likely to suffer from high blood pressure and weight gain themselves later on in life. In fact, during pregnancy the basic principles of healthy eating remain the same — get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein and healthy fats. The NHS says: "There is no need to ‘eat for two’ or drink full-fat milk (as opposed to lower-fat milk). 18 or over, pregnant or with children under the age of four, and getting certain benefits and/or tax credits. Limit high-fat foods and simple carbohydrates (soda, … FOOD GROUPS DURING PREGNANCY Eat a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of foods. positive pregnancy tests; help if you're not getting pregnant. Keeping well in pregnancy. Why too much salt can be unhealthy. Eating a diet of different groups of foods is the best way for you to stay healthy, and help your baby grow and develop. There's no magic formula for a healthy pregnancy diet. everything you need to know about a healthy pregnancy diet and supplements in pregnancy; smoking and drinking can harm an unborn baby: read our stop smoking and alcohol pages for help trying to quit; Pregnancy (antenatal) care and the baby's development Overweight pregnant women should gain about one stone (6kg), normal weight women should gain about two stone (12kg) and underweight pregnant women should gain about three stone (19kg). Importance of eating well in pregnancy. The National Health Service (NHS), United Kingdom, recommends that supplements in the form of folic acid should be 400 mcg (micrograms) per day up to the 12th week of pregnancy… pregnancy? Who's at risk of gestational diabetes.