Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â

Healthy eating in pregnancy (DRAFT - Best start)

Healthy eating in pregnancy (DRAFT - Best start)

Eating a healthy balanced diet is especially important if you're pregnant to help your baby develop and grow.

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time but is especially vital if you're pregnant or planning a pregnancy. Eating healthily during pregnancy will help your baby to develop and grow.

There is lots of information available about , top tips and advice on eating well as well as

shows how much of what we eat overall should come from each food group to achieve a healthy, balanced diet. 
If you're pregnant and a , you need to make sure you get enough nutrients, vitamins and minerals for you and your developing baby.

Blooming healthy - maternity healthy lifestyle advice

Blooming Healthy is a service run by a specialist midwife in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â for those who have a BMI of 35 or over in early pregnancy and would like 1-1 support to make healthier lifestyle choices. 

Speak to your midwife or email: wah-tr.bloominghealthy@nhs.net to find out more.

Healthy weight in pregnancy

If you have a healthy diet and stay active during pregnancy your should stay at a safe and healthy level for you and your baby.

Being obese when you're pregnant increases the chance of some complications such as

Make sure you go to all your antenatal appointments so your pregnancy team can monitor the health of you and your baby.

To find out if you are (very overweight), use the

For more information visit

Vitamins and supplements

It's recommended that pregnant women take the following supplements:

  • 400 micrograms of every day – from before you're pregnant until you're 12 weeks pregnant - this is to reduce the risk of problems in the baby's development in the early weeks of pregnancy
  • a daily supplement

Do not take cod liver oil or any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol) when you're pregnant. Too much vitamin A could harm your baby. Always check the label.

You can get supplements from pharmacies and supermarkets, or a GP may be able to prescribe them for you.
If you want to get your folic acid from a multivitamin tablet, make sure the tablet does not contain vitamin A (or retinol).

You may be able to get free vitamins if you qualify for the. Low cost vitamins are also available from your local Family Hub.

Healthy Start

If you are more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk as part of the Healthy Start Government Scheme.

If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. We’ll add your benefit onto this card every 4 weeks.

Foodbanks

Foodbanks are non-profit-making organisations that provide food parcels to people in crisis that don't have money to buy food. There are a number of foodbanks in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â, the majority of which are part of the which is a national Christian organisation. 

Other foodbanks in Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê×ÊÁÏͼ¿â operate independently with the support of church and community links. To search for foodbanks in the area, visit the or the.

Looking after your teeth

It is important to keep yourduring pregnancy. Hormonal changes during pregnancy may make your gums more vulnerable to gum disease.

You're entitled to free dental treatment during pregnancy and for a year after giving birth.

Other useful resources

Visit for finding recipes or download

You can also join Change4Life to receive free healthy snacking pack and get money-off vouchers and stickers for the kids. By joining you will also receive emails including healthy eating tips, tasty recipes, fun activities for kids, offers and lots more! For more information visit

Early Nutrition Group offer a free online course for parents about Nutrition in pregnancy .

Sign up for for expert advice, videos and tips on pregnancy, birth and beyond.

Was this page useful?