
Growing a human is a nutrient-heavy job. Needs go up compared with non-pregnant women, yet morning sickness and food aversions can make it tough to eat enough of the right things. That's why a smart **prenatal diet** matters just as much as your prenatal vitamin. Supplements can fill gaps, but food brings the full package: protein, fiber, and the mix of vitamins and minerals your body uses best. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)

## The heavy hitters (and easy food wins)

- **Folate (vitamin B9):** Aim for **600 mcg DFE/day**. Folate supports early neural tube development. Food ideas: lentils and leafy greens; most people also take **folic acid** via a prenatal. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/)
- **Iron:** Needs jump to **27 mg/day** to support the expanded blood supply. Pair iron-rich foods (meat, beans, fortified cereals) with vitamin C foods for better absorption. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)
- **Choline:** Often missed and not always in prenatals. Target **450 mg/day** for baby's brain and placenta. Food ideas: eggs, fish, poultry, soy, cruciferous veg. About **90 to 95 percent** of pregnant women fall short from diet alone. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/)
- **Iodine:** Needed for thyroid hormones that guide growth. Goal **220 mcg/day**. Use iodized salt and include dairy, eggs, and seafood. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/)
- **Omega-3s (DHA and EPA):** Critical for brain and eye development. Experts recommend **at least 250 mg/day of DHA+EPA** and **an extra 100 to 200 mg/day of DHA during pregnancy**, ideally from **8 to 12 ounces** of low-mercury seafood per week (or supplements if needed). [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)
- **Vitamin D and Calcium:** For bones and immunity. **Vitamin D: 600 IU (15 mcg)/day**; **Calcium: 1000 mg/day** for ages 19 to 50. Think fatty fish, fortified dairy or plant milks, and yogurt or cheese plus greens. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/)
- **Protein:** Your daily target rises to about **1.1 g/kg body weight**. Simple add-ons: Greek yogurt with fruit, eggs on whole-grain toast, beans in soups and salads. [PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4942872/)

> Real talk about nausea: up to 70 percent of pregnancies come with nausea and vomiting, which can derail even the best laid meal plans. Small, frequent snacks, cold foods, and simple options (crackers, fruit, yogurt) can help; vitamin B6 is often used for symptom relief. If you're struggling, ask your clinician for a tailored plan. [PMC](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3676933/)

## Why food plus a prenatal usually beats a pill alone

Whole foods deliver protein, fiber, water, and the mix of micronutrients your body uses together. For example, iron from meat comes with heme iron that is typically easier to absorb, and eggs bundle choline with protein and B vitamins. A prenatal is still smart insurance (especially for **folate/folic acid, iron, iodine, vitamin D**), but your plate should do most of the heavy lifting. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)

## Make it practical (and trackable)

Build days around **protein + produce + whole grains + dairy + seafood a couple times a week**. Keep easy wins on hand: hard-boiled eggs, canned salmon or sardines, yogurt, leafy greens, beans, citrus, and iodized salt.

If you want to see where you really stand, download **Microgram**. You can **track pregnancy-specific targets** for **folate, iron, choline, iodine, DHA, vitamin D, calcium, and protein by just taking a picture of your plate**, so you'll know which days your diet covers everything and which days a supplement or a different food choice would help.

### Bottom line

Pregnancy nutrition doesn't need to be perfect, but it does need to be **intentional**. Focus on a few key nutrients, lean on real food first, use a prenatal to plug gaps, and **track your intake with Microgram** to make sure you are meeting pregnancy-level goals—despite nausea, aversions, and busy days. [Office of Dietary Supplements](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)

---

### References

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Folate: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Folate-HealthProfessional/)

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Iron: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iron-HealthProfessional/)

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Choline: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Choline-HealthProfessional/)

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Iodine: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Iodine-HealthProfessional/)

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Vitamin D: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/)

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements — Calcium: Health Professional Fact Sheet — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Calcium-HealthProfessional/)

National Academies (IOM) — Dietary Reference Intakes: Protein and Amino Acids (includes pregnancy RDA context) — [https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11537/chapter/14](https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/11537/chapter/14)

Murphy MM et al., 2021 — "Adequacy and Sources of Protein Intake among Pregnant Women in the United States" (notes 1.1 g/kg/day in 2nd–3rd trimesters) — [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7997328/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7997328/)

FDA & EPA — Advice About Eating Fish: For Those Who Are or Might Become Pregnant — [https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish](https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/advice-about-eating-fish)

ACOG — Nutrition During Pregnancy (patient FAQ) — [https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/nutrition-during-pregnancy)

Cochrane Review (Middleton et al., 2018) — Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy — [https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003402.pub3/full](https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003402.pub3/full)

NIH ODS — Dietary Supplements & Life Stages: Pregnancy (overview and nutrient targets) — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Pregnancy-HealthProfessional/)

ACOG — Morning Sickness: Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy (patient FAQ; B6 guidance) — [https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy](https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/morning-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy)

NIH ODS — Vitamin B6: Health Professional Fact Sheet (includes ACOG dosing note) — [https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/](https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/)

Lee NM & Saha S., 2011 — "Nausea and vomiting of pregnancy" (70–80% prevalence) — [https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3676933/](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3676933/)

JAMA Network Open, 2019 — "Usual Dietary Intakes of Pregnant Women in the United States" (choline shortfall data) — [https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2736174](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2736174)

Wallace TC & Fulgoni VL, 2017 — "Usual Choline Intakes Are Associated with Egg and Protein Food Consumption" (only ~8.5% of pregnant women meet AI) — [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28783055/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28783055/)


Pregnancy Nutrition: The Short List That Matters (and Why Food Still Comes First)

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