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What Minerals and Vitamins are essential During Pregnancy

Good sources of essential minerals and vitamins

The foods that you eat and the nutrition that you take in while you are pregnant is going to have an effect on the development of your baby. A balanced diet is the best way to receive nutrients, but prenatal vitamins do also have a place in ensuring that you are getting the minerals and vitamins you and your baby need.

Prenatal vitamins will never replace a healthy diet, but rather assist you in ensuring that you get that little bit of extra help – simply put, they are a supplement and not a replacement.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists a pregnant women should increase their usual servings of a variety of foods from five basic food groups to include the following:

Three to four servings of fruits and vegetables
Nine servings of whole-grain or enriched bread, cereal, rice, or pasta for energy
Three servings of milk, yogurt, and cheese for calcium
Three servings of meat, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, dried beans, and peas for protein

What you need, Why you need it and where to find it

Vitamin/Mineral: (How Much/day) Why You Need It: Best Sources To Find It:
Vitamin A & Beta Carotene (700 mcg) Development of bones and teeth grow Liver, milk, eggs, carrots, spinach, green and yellow vegetables, broccoli, potatoes, pumpkin, yellow fruits, cantaloupe
Vitamin D (5 mcg) Helps body use calcium and phosphorus; promotes strong teeth and bones Milk, fatty fish
Vitamin E (15 mg) Helps body form and use red blood cells and muscles Vegetable oil, wheat germ, nuts, spinach, fortified cereals
Vitamin C (80 - 85 mg) An antioxidant that protects tissues from damage and helps body absorb iron; builds healthy immune system Citrus fruits, bell peppers, green beans, strawberries, papaya, potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes
Thiamin/B1 (1.4 mg) Raises energy level and regulates nervous system Whole grain, fortified cereals, wheat germ, organ meats, eggs, rice, pasta, berries, nuts, legumes, pork
Riboflavin/B2 (1.4 mg) Maintains energy, good eyesight, healthy skin Meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, fortified cereals, eggs
Niacin/B3 (18 mg) Promotes healthy skin, nerves and digestion High-protein foods, fortified cereals and breads, meats, fish, milk, eggs, peanuts
Pyridoxine/B6 (1.9 mg) Helps form red blood cells; helps with morning sickness Chicken, fish, liver, pork, eggs, soybeans, carrots, cabbage, cantaloupe, peas, spinach, wheat germ, sunflower seeds, bananas, beans, broccoli, brown rice, oats, bran, peanuts,walnuts
Folic Acid/Folate (600 mcg) Helps support the placenta, and prevents spina bifida and other neural tube defects Oranges, orange juice, strawberries, green leafy vegetables, spinach, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, fortified cereals, peas, pasta, beans, nuts
Calcium (1,000 - 1,300 mg) Creates strong bones and teeth, helps prevent blood clots, helps muscles and nerves function Yogurt, milk, cheddar cheese, calcium-fortified foods like soy milk, juices, breads, cereals, dark green leafy vegetables, canned fish with bones
Iron (27 mg) Helps in the production of hemoglobin; prevents anemia, low birth weight, and premature birth Beef, pork, dried beans, spinach, dried fruits, wheat germ, oatmeal or grains fortified with iron
Protein (60 mg) Helps in the production of amino acids; repairs cells Most animal foods, meat, poultry, eggs, dairy products, veggie burgers, beans, legumes, nuts
Zinc (11-12 mg) Helps produce insulin and enzymes Red meats, poultry, beans, nuts, whole grains, fortified cereals, oysters, dairy products
| More
Related Articles
»Counting Carbs During Pregnancy
»Essential Minerals and Vitamins
»Folic Acid & Pregnancy
»Herbal Remedies
»Herbal Tea
»Magnesium & Pregnancy
»Omega 3
»Prenatal Vitamins
»Protein During Pregnancy
»Taking Calcium
»Vitamin A During Pregnancy
»Vitamin D During Pregnancy


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