A balanced diet is a basic part of good health at all times in your life.  During pregnancy, your diet is even more important.  The foods you eat are the main source of nutrients for your baby.  As your baby grows, you will need more of most nutrients.  Before you become pregnant, the best time to eat a healthy diet is before you become pregnant.  This will help you and your baby start out with the nutrients you both need.  If you are planning to become pregnant, visit your doctor.  Getting good health care before you are pregnant will help you throughout your pregnancy.  In most women 25-30 pounds is a good amount to gain during pregnancy.  Your body must store nutrients and increase the amount of blood and other fluids it makes.  You can always talk with your doctor about the amount of normal weight to gain during a pregnancy.  It is important to eat a wide variety of foods each day especially iron rich green leafy vegetables.  These provide essential vitamins, minerals and fiber, which helps digestion, and prevents constipation.  Ideally, eat them lightly cooked or raw.  Frozen, canned, and dried fruit and vegetables are good alternatives.  It is usually recommended that pregnant mothers are careful about seafood and how much fish they eat.  I would personally advise not eating fish right now with the oil spill…..or at least be very careful about which fish you are eating.  I think it will be a long time before we have any idea the effects this oil spill is going to have on the ocean or the animals in it.  Please be careful about seafood you eat during this time on the planet.

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