Food Recommendations Look Different Worldwide

Being pregnant often comes with a myriad of questions, especially regarding what to eat and not to eat. Every country has its unique set of food recommendations, reflecting its cultural and nutritional landscape. From the accurate due date predictions to dietary advice, there’s a world of knowledge awaiting expectant mothers.

India: Tailored to Individual Needs

Indian guidelines are not just about what to eat but also at what time of the day, including a handful of nuts at 4 pm.² Tailored to a woman’s BMI, these charts reflects the vast differences in nutrition status of the Indian population.²

Japan: Vegetables and Seafood

Japanese guidelines also offer a pregnancy food plan, but for each day of the week. In addition to recommending vegetables, the Japanese food plan has a rather strong focus on seafood.³

The Netherlands, Sweden and Finland: Quantity and Diversity

In the Netherlands, precise amounts for each food product are stated, but there is no schedule.⁴ Sweden and Finland both champion the benefits of a diverse diet and have no schedule. Their recommendations focus on balance and variety.^5,6

United States: Prioritizing Safety

The U.S. takes a slightly different approach in which expecting mothers are primarily informed about food safety and how to avoid foodborne illnesses and harmful microorganisms. The focus is hence less on particular foods, but rather on hygiene practices when cooking.⁷ Pregnant women are for example given precise information on how to wash fruit and vegetables and instructions about how to heat certain foods.⁷

Universal Recommendations

Despite the myriad of recommendations and diverse pregnancy diets worldwide, some guidelines remain universal. These include the intake of folic acid supplements, the avoidance of alcohol, and the importance of a balanced diet combined with exercise.⁸

Conclusion

Pregnancy is a journey of discovery, from using a due date calculator to determine your baby’s arrival to understanding nutrition guidelines. If you feel stressed about what you can or cannot eat, take a deep breath and remember that mothers around the world eat very different diets and that healthy babies are born everywhere.⁹ With that in mind, check your country’s pregnancy diet recommendations and enjoy your meals!

Examples of daily food plans (India and Japan) and food recommendations (The Netherlands) for pregnant women. Amounts per day.