Which nutrients are needed in the greatest amounts during pregnancy? Why are they so important? Describe wise food choices for the pregnant woman.

What will be an ideal response?


Energy nutrients are essential (a women needs extra food energy to support the growth and metabolic activities of the placenta, fetus, and her own body tissues), extra protein is needed for growth of new tissues, additional B vitamins are needed in proportion to increased food energy intake (they function as coenzymes in energy reactions), folate and B12 are needed for blood cells and growth, vitamin D and minerals are necessary for bone development, extra iron is needed to provide for fetal and placental needs and usually to boost pre-pregnancy low blood levels, and zinc is needed for DNA and RNA synthesis (thus for protein synthesis and cell development). Wise food choices include a balance similar to that of the USDA Food Guide with additional servings for each of the five food groups to meet increased nutrient needs (based on amounts recommended for the higher kcal intakes during the second and third trimesters).

Nutritional Science

You might also like to view...

What is the main explanation for the difference in basal metabolic rates between males and females of the same body weight?

a. Males are usually taller than females b. Females have lower levels of thyroid hormones c. Males have a higher percentage of lean body mass d. Females have a lower percentage of adipose tissue e. Reproductive hormones increase the basal metabolic rates of females.

Nutritional Science

Measurement of which of the following is traditionally used to evaluate the level of intensity of aerobic activity?

A) blood glucose level B) heart rate/pulse C) blood pressure D) distance traveled per unit of time (e.g., steps per hour)

Nutritional Science

Answer the following questions true (T) or false (F)

1. Vitamin A is the vision vitamin. 2. Vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin. 3. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects cell membranes, functions as an anticoagulant and promotes oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

Nutritional Science

? TS is an 80-year-old female admitted to the hospital with an exacerbation of COPD. She was diagnosed with the disease 20 years ago and now complains of shortness of breath while eating and drinking.   HT: 5'1"          WT: 104 pounds          UBW: 115 pounds ? What dietary supplements are most beneficial for TS?

A. antioxidants, vitamin D, and calcium B. vitamin B6, vitamin C, and selenium  C. antioxidants, phosphate, and boron D. vitamin A, vitamin B3, and calcium E. antioxidants, vitamin K, and selenium

Nutritional Science