Suggested Pregnancy Nutrition Requirements

What Makes up a Good, Nutritious, Balanced Daily Diet During Pregnancy?

4 exchanges of milk (1 cup each): whole milk, low fat, skim, buttermilk. If using soy milk, 1.5 cups per serving. One serving of cheese is approximately 1.25 ounces.

2 calcium replacements for each serving of unfortified soy: almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds brazil nuts, broccoli, molasses, wheat germ*

2 eggs

6 exchanges of fish, liver, chicken, lean beef, lamb or pork, any kind of cheese. Beans, grains, nuts and seeds and vegetables may also be included in this area, but do not count an item twice. (Average exchange is 1 ounce meat or hard cheese, 1/4 cup of tuna or soft cheese, 1 cup of milk, 1 egg, 1/2 cup beans or grains, 2 to 3 ounces of nuts, and about 5 ounces of most vegetables.)

2 exchanges of fresh, dark green, leafy vegetables: broccoli, brussels sprouts, spinach, romaine lettuce... (Average exchange is 1/2 to 1 cup)

5 exchanges of whole grain bread, starchy vegetables and fruits. (An average exchange is 1 slice bread, 1/2 cup cereal, pasta or rice, and 1/2 piece of fruit.)

2 exchanges Vitamin C foods: orange, grapefruit, pepper, tomato, cantaloupe, potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower (Average exchange is 1 fruit or 1/2 cup.)

5 exchanges fats and oils. (1 tablespoon butter, oil or mayonnaise...)

1 exchange Vitamin A food: carrots, peaches, sweet potato or yam, cantaloupe, apricots

Drink to thirst

Salt foods to taste

Liver (4 ounces) once a week

This diet can be adapted for vegetarians, by using complementary protein at one meal. Choose to eat 2 plant proteins at the same time, such as rice and beans, or to eat some animal protein along with plant protein, such as eggs, cheese or milk.*
*Adapted diet in The Brewer Medical Diet for Normal and High Risk Pregnancy, 1983

Adapted with permission from Metabolic Toxemia of Late Pregnancy, Thomas Brewer, MD, 1982