Q:What are the basic essential daily nutrients? A:A normal person’s daily diet should include protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fats. During pregnancy, the intake of various nutrients should be more than that of the general population. Q:How much food should a pregnant woman consume during pregnancy? A:If you were of normal weight before you became pregnant, then you only need to add an average of 300 calories per day during pregnancy (such as a glass of milk or half a sandwich) to support your baby’s growth and keep you healthy. Q:What other nutrients do I need to supplement during pregnancy? A:Pregnant women need to take iron and folic acid supplements. In order to get these nutrients, a program that provides nutrition during pregnancy is recommended for most pregnant women. Since some excess vitamins and minerals during pregnancy can be harmful, it is important that you fully communicate with your physician before trying this method. Q:What is folic acid? A:Folic acid is a type of B vitamin. Before pregnancy and during the 12th week of pregnancy, pregnant women need 0.4mg of folic acid daily to reduce the risk of neural tube defects. All women should consume a multivitamin containing 0.4mg of folic acid daily during their reproductive years. Pregnant women who have a history of delivering a fetus with neural tube defects or who are taking related medications need to consume more folic acid (approximately 4 mg) per day. Pregnant women should take additional folic acid supplements; a daily dietary supplement of the vitamin alone is not sufficient. Q:What does iron do for the body? A:The iron in red blood cells assists in transporting oxygen to various organs and tissues of the body and to the fetus. Pregnant women need to consume more iron in their diet to support fetal growth and produce more blood. The recommended daily intake of iron for pregnant women is 27 mg, which can usually be obtained from the normal prenatal diet. Some pregnant women who do not have sufficient iron stores in their bodies prior to pregnancy are at high risk of developing anemia and therefore require additional iron supplements. Q:How much weight should I gain during pregnancy? A:The amount of weight a pregnant woman should gain during pregnancy depends on her pre-pregnancy weight, BMI is a measure of obesity based on her height and weight. For women with a normal BMI before pregnancy, a weight gain of 11-16kg during pregnancy is appropriate. Q:Can an overweight or obese woman get pregnant? A:Being overweight or obese can increase the risks associated with pregnancy, including: gestational diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and delivery by cesarean section. Women with a BMI greater than or equal to 30 should maintain a weight gain of 5-9 kg during pregnancy, while women with a BMI greater than or equal to 40 are recommended to lose a moderate amount of weight during pregnancy. Q:Is it harmful to consume caffeine during pregnancy? A:Caffeine intake in moderate amounts (200mg per day) has not been found to cause miscarriage or preterm delivery. The conclusion that caffeine intake can cause an increase in the birth rate of low birth weight babies is not yet clear. Q:Do vegetarians need to change their diet during pregnancy? A:Vegetarians need to ensure that their daily diet provides sufficient protein to meet the nutritional needs of the mother and fetus, and can supplement their diet with special diets to ensure the intake of iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D. Q:Do I need to avoid certain fish during pregnancy? A:Pregnant women should avoid certain large fish, including shark, swordfish, mackerel, and squareheads, because they contain high levels of mercury that can be harmful to the growing fetus. Common types of fish and shrimp contain lower levels of mercury, such as canned tuna, salmon, cod, catfish, etc. Pregnant women can consume 350g of such fish per week. Q:What is listeriosis? What is the effect of the disease on pregnancy? A:It is a disease caused by a bacterium that is usually caused by the ingestion of unpasteurized milk, cheese, raw meat and fish. When a pregnant woman is infected with the bacteria, it can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. To prevent this disease, pregnant women should wash fresh fruits and vegetables before consuming them. When pregnant, the following foods should be avoided: unpasteurized milk, cheese; raw or undercooked meat, poultry, fish; and processed meat. Q: What is xenophagia? A: During pregnancy, some women may have a strong desire to eat certain non-edible items, such as dirt, ice, hard clothes or coins, a condition known as xenophagia. Xenophagia is harmful to pregnancy and can interfere with a pregnant woman’s nutritional intake leading to constipation and anemia. If you experience these thoughts, you need to talk to your physician promptly.