A–Z Glossary

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids are dietary fats that contribute to fetal brain and retinal development during pregnancy.

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Healthy eating patterns during pregnancy

Healthy eating patterns during pregnancy

Why the overall eating pattern matters more than perfection Pregnancy increases nutritional demands, but the goal is not a rigid or overly complicated plan. Evidence-based guidance emphasizes a dietary pattern centered on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, protein-rich foods, and unsaturated fats. This approach helps supply energy and micronutrients while also avoiding the nutrient displacement that […]

Nutrition before childbirth

Nutrition before childbirth

Nutrition is preparation, not a test of perfection In late pregnancy, nutritional priorities include maintaining maternal health, supporting ongoing fetal development, and preserving adequate nutrient stores for delivery and early postpartum recovery. The placenta, uterus, blood volume, and fetal tissues all contribute to changing energy and nutrient requirements. However, nutritional adequacy is measured over patterns […]

Nutrition needs by trimester

Nutrition needs by trimester

Why nutrition needs change across pregnancy Pregnancy is not simply a state of needing “more food.” It is a carefully sequenced physiologic adaptation. In early pregnancy, implantation, placentation, and organogenesis are central. Later, fetal weight gain, maternal plasma volume expansion, breast tissue growth, and nutrient transfer increase substantially. The result is a trimester-dependent pattern: micronutrient […]