New Delhi: What you eat during pregnancy doesn’t just nourish you—it shapes your baby’s future health. Here’s why your plate plays a bigger role than you think. Nutrition plays an important role in ensuring your entire pregnancy journey is healthy and also safe. The type of foods a mother eats during pregnancy has a direct impact on her and the baby’s health. The nutrition needs change every trimester. For example, folic acid in the 1st trimester, iron in the 2nd, and calcium in the 3rd. One must keep consulting their gynaecologist for the same. This is because it supports her body’s changing needs and also the development of the growing baby inside her womb.

Dr Anuja Thomas, Consultant – Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, Mumbai, said, “A well-balanced diet that is filled with essential nutrients can help build the baby’s organs, brain, and bones, and also support overall development. At the same time, essential nutrients help keep the mother strong, improve her immune system, and reduce the risk of severe complications. It also makes her heal and recover faster after the delivery. One must understand that poor or imbalanced nutrition can be an invitation to numerous issues that can become life-threatening. This can include issues like low birth weight, premature birth, maternal anemia, or even birth defects.”

Research states that your baby’s long-term health, including the risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart- problems, can also be affected by the type of diet pregnant women eat during pregnancy. This is why it becomes crucial to prioritize your health by eating a well-nourished diet throughout the pregnancy for the betterment of your and the baby’s overall health.

Nutrition deeply affects the health of the mother and the baby during pregnancy. Eating the right nutrients becomes essential for expectant women. Nutrients such as folic acid, iron, calcium, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins D and B12 play a key role in the baby’s brain, bone, and organ development and also help the mother in reducing the risk of complications. Intake of fiber and staying hydrated also helps manage common pregnancy issues like constipation and fatigue. However, every pregnancy is different—it’s important to consult your gynecologist to understand your specific nutritional needs and make the right choices for a healthy journey.

Eating a well-nourished diet helps in lowering the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes or high blood pressure (preeclampsia). For the baby, every bite of nutritious food the mother has directly supports the healthy development of the brain, organ formation, and a strong immune system to fight off infections. Nutrients like folic acid can help prevent the risk of birth defects. On the other hand, protein helps in ensuring tissue building and proper growth of the baby. The baby still benefits from the mother’s good nutrition even after birth through breastfeeding. This is why pregnant women are advised to focus more on eating healthy meals that include plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains, legumes, and lentils.