Pregnancy is one of the incredible times of growth and change. Your body is working hard to build a new life, which places extra demands on your nutritional needs.
While a balanced diet is the foundation, key nutrients like protein, folate, iodine, iron, and zinc become even more crucial. For example, the Nutrient Reference Values for Australia and New Zealand recommend a significant increase in daily protein intake:
|
Stage |
Recommended Daily Protein Intake |
Example (for a 70kg woman) |
|
Pregnancy |
1.0g per kg of body weight |
≈70g of protein per day |
|
Breastfeeding |
1.1g per kg of body weight |
≈77g of protein per day |
Meeting these targets through whole foods like meat, fish, eggs, dairy, and legumes is ideal. However, morning sickness, food aversions, or a busy lifestyle can sometimes make this challenging. This is where a high-quality supplement can be a convenient and effective way to fill any nutritional gaps.