Are you worried about the risk of eating certain foods during pregnancy? Relax! Food recommendations for pregnant women look different around the globe.1
In India, pregnancy food charts state exactly what should be eaten at what time of the day, including a handful of nuts at 4 pm.2 The charts are modified to suit women’s BMI, reflecting the vast differences in nutrition status of the Indian population.2 Japanese guidelines for pregnant women similarly 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
In the Netherlands, precise amounts for each food product are stated, but there is no schedule.4 Sweden and Finland have even less detailed pregnancy recommendations with pregnancy food charts focusing on the benefits of a diverse diet.5,6
On the other hand, in the United States, expecting mothers are 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
Despite local differences, there are globally well established recommendations to keep a good health during pregnancy, such as the intake of folic acid supplements, the avoidance of alcohol and the importance of a versatile diet combined with exercise.8
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!
South India4
Japan5
The Netherlands3
Early Morning 6.30 am
milk 200 ml
250 g vegetables
2 portions of fruit
4 to 7 full corn bread
4 to 5 spoons of full corn carbohydrate products or 4 to 5 potatoes
40 g cooking fats
1,5 – 2 L liquid
40 g cheese
3 to 4 portions of dairy products
25 g unsalted nuts
Breakfast 08.00 am
2 dosa (Indian lentil pancake) + 100 mg vegetable chutney
Breakfast
Rice + grilled fish + dipping
Mid-Morning 10.30 am
100 g seasonal fruit
Mid-morning
Pickles + apple + tea
Lunch 01.00 pm
4 roti (a type of bread) + 30 g meat + 50 g green leafy vegetables curry + 50 g salad + 100 ml curd
Lunch
Rice + tofu with meat miso + starchy sauce + seaweed salad + clear soup
Afternoon snacks 04.00 pm
100 g seasonal fruit + 30 g nuts
Snack
Roasted green tea + Biscuits
Dinner 08.00 pm
100 g rice + ½ Tur Dal + 75 g green leafy vegetables + 50 g vegetables + 100 ml curd
Dinner
Pasta + salad
Bedtime 10.00 pm
100 ml milk
Bedtime
Milk soup + coffee + sherbet
Examples of daily food plans (India and Japan) and food recommendations (The Netherlands) for pregnant women. Amounts per day.