Essential Pregnancy Nutrients

Eating the right nutrients during your pregnancy has a big effect on your baby’s health. They will help your baby grow and develop in the womb, but also they will give them an extra head start in their early years too.
What you decide to eat now has the potential to support your baby’s well-being for years to come. Five portions of fruit and vegetables every day is a good place to start.

Here are the key nutrients you need to include in your diet:

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is required for calcium and phosphorus absorption which is essential for your baby’s healthy bone growth. Sunlight provides us with most of our vitamin D however the level can vary throughout the year. In winter it is especially important to also get vitamin D from other sources such as fatty fish, and eggs.

Folate and folic acid

Folate is involved with the formation of the neural tube, which ultimately becomes their brain, nerves and spinal cord! Foods such as fortified cereals, leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, asparagus, and dried peas are all good sources of folate.