nutritional and dietary needs (pregnancy)

Question 1

what supplements should pregnant women not take and why

Answer 1

vitamin A- can be toxic in large amounts and can cause birth defects

Question 2

discuss fat intake for pregnant women and the role they play giving 3 food examples

Answer 2

• fat intake should be maintained and NOT increased
• essential fatty acids play an important role in reducing high blood pressure in the mother and in the development of the brain/ eye of foetus
  -olive oil, oily fish( salmon, mackerel etc), margarine

Question 3

discuss carbohydrate and fibre intake for pregnant women, giving 2 good examples of each

Answer 3

• increases energy needs should be met by eating complex carbohydrates, which release energy slowly and provide a feeling of fullness e.g bread and pasta
• constipation can be a problem during pregnancy, so a diet high in fibre is recommended e.g whole grain bread and fruit/ veg

Question 4

why is protein needed in the diet of a pregnant women and give 3 food examples

Answer 4

• more protein is needed for growth of the foetus and for repair and maintenance of the mothers body tissue during and after pregnancy e.g meat, fish and milk

Question 5

give 3 reasons for calcium in a pregnant women’s diet and give 3 food examples

Answer 5

• foetus requires a lot of calcium in the last trimester of pregnancy as the skeleton develops
• during pregnancy absorption of calcium from food increases to meet this increased need
• if the mothers diet was low in calcium before conception, she may lose calcium from her skeleton, which can cause her to have weakened bones and teeth
  -e.g milk, hard cheeses, yoghurt

Question 6

give 3 reasons for iron in a pregnant woman’s diet and give 3 food examples

Answer 6

• mother must have enough iron to facilitate growth and development of the foetus, produce an increased number of red blood cells and prepare for blood loss during delivery
• iron is also needed to provide the baby with a store of iron for the first 5 months after birth. need this for energy and healthy blood
• as menstruation stops during pregnancy and absorption of iron from food increases , the mother must meet her iron needs by regular intake of iron rich foods.

e.g meat, green leafy veg and fortified breakfast cereals

Question 7

discuss sodium intake in pregnant women’s diet

Answer 7

should be monitored to maintain steady blood pressure
daily intake should not exceed 6g

Question 8

why is vitamin A needed in pregnant women’s diet and give 2 sources and why should it not be eaten im large amounts

Answer 8

• necessary for growth and eye development of foetus e.g cheese and oily fish
• HOWEVER vitamin a can be toxic in large amounts and can lead to birth defects

Question 9

what food products should be avoided during pregnancy and why

Answer 9

liver and live products as these are very high in vitamin A and could lead to an excess

Question 10

discuss importance of vitamin D in diet of pregnant women and give food examples

Answer 10

• assists absorption of calcium
• lack can increase loss of calcium from mothers skeleton , which can cause weakened bones and teeth, can also affect foetal bone development and can lead to low birth weight

e.g sunlight, oily fish , well cooked eggs

Question 11

give 3 reasons for b group vitamins in a pregnant women diet and give food example for each

Answer 11

• folate is require for development of the brain and nervous system in the foetus. lack may lead to spina bifida, miscarriage, premature birth or slow growth e.g white bread
• vitamin b1 helps with the release of energy from nutrients in every cell in the body and helps meet increased energy needs in the final trimester e.g fortified cereals and milk
• vegetarian mother may be deficient in b12 and may need to supplement during her pregnancy. the foetus stores vitamin b12 so that it has enough for 6 months after birth e.g milk and eggs

Question 12

give 3 reasons for vitamin c in a pregnant women’s diet and give a food source

Answer 12

• assists with absorption of iron from food
• helps improve immunity and prevent infections and disease
• requirements increase in last trimester

e.g fruit and veg

Question 13

how much and why should pregnant women drink water

Answer 13

• fluid balance is important during pregnancy to prevent constipation and dehydration
• should aim to drink 8 glasses of fluid a day

Question 14

how many extra calories does a pregnant women need?

Answer 14

200 kilocalories to meet increased energy requirements

Question 15

what is meant by the term trimester

Answer 15

pregnancy is divided into 3 month periods

Question 16

what is lactation

Answer 16

a new mothers body produces milk for breastfeeding in a process called lactation
during lactation body’s energy requirements increases and its demand for particular nutrient’s intensity
needs to increase intake of protein, calcium, vitamin d and fluid to help produce milk
women are advised to eat an extra portion of dairy products at this time

Question 17

in which trimister does the nutrient demand increase most rapidly

Answer 17

the third trimester

Question 18

what 2 supplements, how much and why should women take during pregnancy

Answer 18

folic acid
400mcg from time trying to conceive until 12th week of pregnancy
folic acid supplements reduce the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida

vitamin d
10mcg daily
to maximise their bone health and that of the foetus

Question 19

what 3 foods/ drink should be LIMITED during pregnancy

Answer 19

• some types of fish (e.g shark, swordfish, marlin and tuna) : may contain mercury which can affect the nervous system of the foetus
• caffeine (tea, coffee, soft drinks containing caffeine) : affect the absorption of many nutrients and can cause miscarriage
• alcohol : affects development of foetus, increases risk of miscarriage, still birth, premature labour and foetal alcohol syndrome

Question 20

what food / drink should be AVOIDED during pregnancy

Answer 20

• mould- ripened cheese (e.g Brie and Camembert) , unpasteurised cheese, pate, pre packed salads, cook chill meals : may contain listeria bacteria which can increase risk of miscarriage or still birth
• raw and lightly cooked eggs and food containing them e.g mayonnaise : contain salmonella which can cause food poisoning
• raw and partly cooked meat, unpasteurised milk, unwashed fruit and veg : these foods could infect the body with toxoplasmosis which can cause flu like symptoms in the mother and damage the nervous system and eyes of the foetus
• liver (ant products made from liver e.g pate) : contain high levels of vitamin a which can be toxic in excess and cause birth defects