Diet Plan for Pregnant Women

A pregnant woman's diet plan should ensure proper weight gain and provide the appropriate amount of nutrients for her baby. This diet plan must also provide for extra calories in the second and third trimesters and consist of well-balanced nutrition for a healthy pregnancy.

Proper Weight Gain

Not gaining the proper amount of weight during pregnancy could cause health problems for your baby, such as birth defects or mental retardation, and it could also cause problems during labor and delivery, according to WomensHealth.gov. The American Diabetic Association says that a pregnant woman needs to eat an extra 300 calories per day, and according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, this should lead to a healthy weight gain of 25 to 30 pounds during pregnancy.

Nutrition During Pregnancy

A diet plan during pregnancy should include healthy foods every day from the four basic foods groups: fruits and vegetables, bread, dairy and meat. You should eat seven or more servings of fruits and vegetables; a single serving example is a medium apple or one cup of leafy vegetables. For the bread group, eat six to nine servings of whole-grain, enriched breads or cereals every day. Get calcium from dairy products, at least four or more daily servings, preferably from low-fat or non-fat milk, yogurt or cheese. Finally, eat at least 60 grams of proteins every day, which amounts to two or more 2- to 3-oz. servings of meat, fish or poultry.

Vitamins and Minerals During Pregnancy

A November 2008 Women's Health Advisor article entitled "Diet During Pregnancy," published by RelayHealth recommends more protein, folic acid and iron in a diet during pregnancy. Foods such as beans and peas, nuts, peanut butter, eggs, meat and fish are good sources of protein and vitamins. Eat foods such as broccoli, asparagus, fortified cereals and grains, oranges and strawberries, yellow squash or tomato juice for your intake of folic acid. Finally, eat foods like lean red meats, pork, chicken or fish, as well as dried fruit, liver or kidneys for a good source of iron.