Nutrition during pregnancy Latvia eng

10.   Summary  of  recommendations  

•   The  BMI  should  be  normal  before  conception.  

•   During   pregnancy,   the   energy   requirements   increase   by   as   little   as   10–15%,   but   the  

increased   requirement   for   micronutrients   is   much   higher.   The   diet   should   be  

comprehensive  and  balanced,  with  healthy  foods.    

•   Meals  should  be  distributed  regularly  throughout  the  day,  although  the  number  of  meals  

may  vary  according  to  needs.    

•   The  amount  of  protein  should  be  slightly  increased.  

•   The  daily  calcium  intake  should  be  1000  mg,  preferably  with  food.    

•   Minerals  and  vitamins  should  be  sufficient  in  a  comprehensive  diet.    

•   Vegetables,  fruit,  wholegrain  products,  dairy  products  with  low  fat,  lean  meat  and  oily  fish  

should  be  part  of  the  regular  diet.  The  diet  should  contain  many  products  of  plant  origin  

and  moderate  quantities  of  products  of  animal  origin.  

•   Water  intake  should  be  sufficient.    

•   Foods  containing  large  amounts  of  saturated  fats  and  high-­‐calorie  sweets  and  snacks  should  

be  eaten  only  infrequently  and  in  limited  quantities.    

•   Iodized  salt  should  be  preferred,  but  consumption  should  not  exceed  5  g/day.  

•   The  following  supplements  should  be  considered:  

•  

iodine   formulations   at   150  µg/day,   starting   from   pregnancy   planning   and   continuing  

throughout  pregnancy  and  lactation;    

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•  

folic  acid  at  400  µg  until  the  end  of  the  twelfth  week  of  pregnancy;    

•  

vitamin  D  at  20  µg/day  during  winter;    

•  

iron-­‐containing  supplements  only  if  indicated;  and  

•  

w-­‐3  fatty  acids  if  the  expectant  mother  does  not  eat  fish.    

•   Alcohol,   drugs,   psychotropic   substances,   tobacco   and   electronic   cigarettes   should   be  

avoided  during  pregnancy  planning  and  throughout  gestation  and  breastfeeding.  

•   Care   should   be   taken   to   exclude   toxins   that   may   enter   the   body   from   food   processing  

technology,  water  or  the  environment.  

•   Regular  moderate  physical  activity  is  advised.