The Basics
Macronutrients:
Calorie needs increase by 300kcal/day
Ensure adequate protein (60g minimum), fluid (8 cups/day minimum)
Carbohydrates should be complex, unrefined, minimal simple sugars
Micronutrients: Evaluate for the need for vitamin or mineral supplements, in particular:
Iron: Needs increase 50%. Essential for cognitive performance, synthesis of RBC's. Dose: 27mg/day. Take with Vitamin C. Food sources: liver, meat, poultry, fish, spinach, kidney beans, wild rice
B12: Necessary for DNA/RNA, RBC production, nervous system. Produced in gut. Obtained from animal protein in diet. RDA: 2.6mcg (optimal 150mcg)
B6: necessary for synthesis of antibodies, formation of RBC's, digestion. Deficiency causes neurological symptoms. RDA: 1.9mg (optimal 75mg) food sources: beans, nuts, legumes, animal protein
Other B vitamins: Thiamine, riboflavin, niacin: Necessary for energy production. RDA: thiamin 1.5mg (optimal 50mg), riboflavin 1.6mg (optimal 50mg), niacin 17mcg (optimal 100mcg)
Vitamin A, C, E: Antioxidants
Vitamin A = teratogenic. Limit to 5000-8000IU's/day
RDA Vit C 70mg (optimal 500-1000mg)
RDA Vit E 10mg (optimal 400IU)
Zinc
Calcium
Probiotics: Live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. Suggested benefits during pregnancy include: improved maternal blood glucose control, lowered incidence of maternal lower urinary tract infections and vaginal infections, reduced incidence of infant atopy and allergies, improved maternal vaginal flora during pregnancy which, in turn, may improve infant dysbiosis, reduced incidence of pre-term labor (likely by reducing infections). The evidence is not conclusive, dosing varies.