Nutritional Needs of Pregnant Women: Guidelines and Recommendations

This essay discusses the dietary requirements of pregnant women and the challenges in meeting these needs. Research indicates that many pregnant women do not adhere to recommended nutritional guidelines, leading to potential complications. The essay emphasizes the importance of restructuring health education programs to increase awareness and compliance. It suggests involving primary health centers, general practitioners, nurses, and midwives in formulating dietary plans. Distributing educational materials and providing nutritional counseling are also highlighted as effective strategies. By implementing these steps, pregnant women can better adhere to recommended nutritional guidelines, ensuring healthier outcomes for both mother and child. Desklib provides a platform for students to access this and other solved assignments.

Running head: NUTRITION FOR SPECIAL POPULATION
Dietary requirements for pregnant women
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1NUTRITION FOR SPECIAL POPULATION
Research evidences state that pregnant women, not consuming proper foods that meet
their dietary requirements often face complications in their pregnancy (Healthed.govt.nz, 2018).
According to Morton et al., (2014), data from New Zealand suggests that most pregnant women
fail to adhere to the food intake guidelines that have been recommended by the Ministry of
Health.
One of the oldest myths in this context that focused on eating for two is no longer
followed (Healthed.govt.nz, 2018). Further reports from the Ministry of Health also suggested
that pregnant women also fail to abstain from eating foods that are rich in salt or fat content
(Radio New Zealand, 2018). One major way by which pregnant women can be encouraged to
follow an appropriate diet is by restructuring the existing health education programmes that are
related to pregnancy nutrition (Huberty et al., 2013). Involving primary health centres will help
to formulate an appropriate plan of action in an effective manner. These education programmes
will emphasise on antenatal nutritional requirements and will be successful in increasing the
awareness of pregnant women on the food that must be consumed (Lucas, Charlton & Yeatman,
2014). In addition, general practitioners, nurses and midwives will also help in formulating
dietary plans that meet the nutritional requirements of the target population (Arrish, Yeatman &
Williamson, 2014).
Distribution of educational pamphlets or handouts that follow the recommendations
proposed by the Ministry of Health will also enhance their awareness. Furthermore, nutritional
counselling conducted by holistic nutritionists will also provide exhaustive information on the
foods that should be avoided. Thus, the aforementioned steps will help pregnant women to
adhere to the recommended guidelines for their nutrition.

2NUTRITION FOR SPECIAL POPULATION
Reference
Arrish, J., Yeatman, H., & Williamson, M. (2014). Midwives and nutrition education during
pregnancy: A literature review. Women and Birth, 27(1), 2-8.
Healthed.govt.nz. (2018). Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women, Retrieved 8 April 2018,
from https://www.healthed.govt.nz/system/files/resource-files/HE1806_Eating%20for
%20healthy%20breastfeeding%20women_0.pdf
Healthed.govt.nz. (2018). Eating for Healthy Pregnant Women, Retrieved 8 April 2018, from
https://www.healthed.govt.nz/system/files/resource-files/HE1805_Eating%20for
%20healthy%20pregnant%20women.pdf
Huberty, J., Dinkel, D., Beets, M. W., & Coleman, J. (2013). Describing the use of the internet
for health, physical activity, and nutrition information in pregnant women. Maternal and
child health journal, 17(8), 1363-1372.
Lucas, C., Charlton, K. E., & Yeatman, H. (2014). Nutrition advice during pregnancy: do women
receive it and can health professionals provide it?. Maternal and child health
journal, 18(10), 2465-2478.
Morton, S. M., Grant, C. C., Wall, C. R., Carr, P. E. A., Bandara, D. K., Schmidt, J. M., ... &
Camargo, C. A. (2014). Adherence to nutritional guidelines in pregnancy: evidence from
the Growing Up in New Zealand birth cohort study. Public health nutrition, 17(9), 1919-
1929.
Radio New Zealand. (2018). Pregnancy food advice not followed, Retrieved 8 April 2018, from
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/242304/pregnancy-food-advice-not-followed