Under the Swennie Maternal and Child Nutrition Guide

Author: (American) Swinney
Translator: Zeng Fang / Ma Lei, etc.
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-11-18
Features: The book "Healthy Eating During Pregnancy" effectively informs expectant mothers (mothers and children) about the nutritional value of food they can choose during pregnancy. The 1990 report by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences' Food and Nutrition Board, "Nutrition During Pregnancy," played a special role in reminding people about the importance of nutrition during pregnancy. It also provided a comprehensive evaluation of key issues. This report was released 20 years after the 1970 report by the Food and Nutrition Board, "Nutrition of the Pregnant Woman and the Process of Pregnancy." It was written by authoritative experts in the fields of nutrition and obstetrics, reflecting the significant progress in our knowledge over the years of research and the need to apply recent findings to prenatal care. Among the many conclusions drawn by the expert committee, two are particularly noteworthy. One is the recommendation that weight gain during pregnancy should be higher than previously suggested. This acknowledges the relationship between maternal weight gain from the fourth to the ninth month of pregnancy and the baby's development before birth. The committee recommends a minimum weight gain of at least 25 pounds, unless the mother was overweight before pregnancy. Mothers who were underweight before pregnancy are advised to gain more weight during pregnancy. Another noteworthy recommendation is that the daily intake of routine micronutrient supplements, like iron, should be limited to 30 milligrams. Although special micronutrient supplements are recommended in certain cases, routine prenatal vitamin and mineral supplements are not advised. Instead, the focus is on choosing foods as sources of micronutrients. The reason for focusing on the food we eat goes far beyond the simple fact that if we consume a sufficient and balanced diet, we may not need supplements. A significant reason, and a very real danger, is that if we take multiple vitamin and mineral supplements daily, we may continue to unconsciously or subconsciously neglect our food choices. The disadvantages of this include nutrient interactions and imbalances, which is an area we need to continue learning about. New micronutrients of great importance to human health are yet to be discovered. Without a doubt, the health benefits of regularly eating fruits and vegetables far outweigh those of taking vitamin supplements. Another important reason to choose diet over alternatives is that prenatal vitamins are not prescribed until the first visit to an obstetrician, which often does not occur before pregnancy or in the critical early weeks of gestation when the fetus is developing. For example, we now know that taking sufficient folic acid (a B vitamin) before pregnancy can significantly reduce the risk of spina bifida and other neural tube defects. To prevent these conditions, folic acid must be taken before pregnancy and in the first few weeks. It is important to clarify that a balanced diet is essential for all women of childbearing age at all times, not just during pregnancy. I recommend this book by Bridget Swinney to you because it is a timely and informative guide to healthy prenatal nutrition. You don’t need to wait until you are pregnant—buy this book now. Dr. Mike Hambych, Professor of Pediatrics, Director of the Center for Human Nutrition at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center