When you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you have special nutritional needs. MyPyramid.gov is designed just for you. It has advice you need to help you and your baby stay healthy.

First — visit your health care provider if you haven’t already. Every pregnant woman needs to visit a health care provider regularly. He or she can make

sure both you and your baby are healthy. Your provider can also prescribe a safe vitamin and mineral supplement, and anything else you may need.

Next — get your own MyPyramid Plan for Moms. Your Plan will show you the foods and amounts that are right for you. Enter your information for a quick estimate of what and how much you need to eat. Or, go to the MyPyramid Menu Planner For Moms to see how your food choices compare to what you need.

Then — learn more by choosing a topic from their article menu. The “Sources of Information” will take you straight to the government’s best advice on pregnancy and breastfeeding. To get your own MyPyramid Plan for Moms, the site offers an auto-information quiz. If you are expecting twins, triplets or more than one baby, you should discuss what and how much to eat with your health care provider.  Your nutrient and calorie needs are higher than the needs of women carrying one baby.

Nutritional needs during pregnancy

When you are pregnant, you have a higher need for some vitamins and minerals. Follow your new food plans for moms to meet most of these increased needs. In each food group, choose foods that have the vitamins and minerals you need. Research the best sources of these vitamins and minerals.

Choose these foods often to make sure you meet your nutrient needs while you are pregnant. Some examples are:

Also make choices that are low in “extras.” Extras are added sugars and solid fats in foods like soft drinks, desserts, fried foods, cheese, whole milk, and fatty meats. Look for choices that are low-fat, fat-free, unsweetened, or with no-added-sugars. They have fewer “extras.”

Vitamin and mineral supplements cannot replace a healthy diet. Most doctors recommend that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement every day in addition to eating a healthy diet.Taking a supplement ensures that you and your baby get enough important nutrients like folic acid and iron. But don’t overdo it. Taking extra can be harmful for you and your baby. Click here for more information about taking supplements while you are pregnant.

Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should not drink alcohol. Drinks containing alcohol include beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks, malt beverages, etc. Even moderate drinking during pregnancy can cause behavioral or developmental problems for a baby. Heavy drinking during pregnancy can result in serious problems for the baby, including malformation and mental retardation.

NOTE: If you need assistance to get the foods you need for a healthy diet, visit the USDA’s WIC Program and Food Stamp Program sites.