Pregnant Moms dietary needs

Pregnant moms have special nutritional needs for their own health and the proper development of their baby.   

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pregnant women’s nutritional needs include:

• 400 mcg of folic acid per day to prevent certain birth defects like spina bifida.  The best source is calf’s liver.  Excellent vegetable sources include asparagus, lentils and other beans, and green leafy vegetables like spinach, Romaine lettuce, and greens (turnip, collard and mustard).
• 1000 mg per day of calcium to promote bone development (up to 1300 for younger pregnant moms).  The best known sources of calcium include milk products and green leafy vegetables, but all of our retail products are either good or excellent sources of calcium. 
• 30 mg per day of iron.  Excellent sources include spinach, tofu, lentils and other beans, and sesame seeds.
  mg = milligrams
  mcg = micrograms

Omega 3 and seafood
Recent studies have shown that moms who eat fish may be boosting the IQ of their babies.  Moms concerned about mercury who are avoiding fish for their baby’s health should be eating foods rich in Omega 3 (EPA + DHA)  two or three times weekly to help promote their baby’s brain development. 

For an explanation of the importance of Omega 3 for expecting mothers, see:
http://www.expectantmothersguide.com/library/pittsburgh/omega-3.htm.

For an explanation of the problem of Omega 3 deficiency in expecting mothers, see:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080307133659.htm.

For the impact of Omega 3 fatty acids on children’s IQ, see:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17185324/