Food and Nutrition Guidelines - Barnsley Council Online

1. Preconception
Are you thinking of
having a baby?
Preconception refers to the period leading up
to a pregnancy. This involves taking good care
of yourself, looking at your lifestyle and making
some improvements in advance if needed. To
ensure that your pregnancy goes as smoothly
as possible, and to ensure that your baby is as
healthy as possible, information is provided
below about things you need to consider:
Are you taking a
Folic Acid supplement?
• The Department of Health recommends
you take a supplement containing 400
micrograms of folic acid every day from when
you stop using contraception until you are 12
weeks pregnant.
• Why? Taking folic acid reduces the risk of a
rare disorder called Neural Tube Defect (NTD)
which can affect a baby’s spine.
• Folic Acid supplements are widely available
from supermarkets, chemists and health
food shops or on prescription from your GP.
• A higher dose prescribed by your GP would
be required if you suffer with Diabetes,
Epilepsy or if you have had a previous baby
diagnosed with an NTD.
Are you following a
healthy eating plan?
Eating a variety of foods while you are
trying for a baby is recommended. A
balanced, varied, nutritious diet is all
that is needed to give you and your
baby a healthy start. Try to eat:
1. At least 5 portions of fruit and
vegetables each day
2. Plan your meals and snacks around
bread, rice, pasta and other starchy
foods aiming to include one of these
at each mealtime.
3. Aim for a pint of milk per day, or the
equivalent e.g. a third of a pint of
milk, a small pot of yoghurt and a
small piece of cheese.
4. Choose moderate amounts of lean
meat, fish, eggs and pulses such as
beans and lentils.
5. Try to limit foods containing lots
of fat and/or sugar e.g. cakes and
biscuits.
Get the balance right; use the eatwell
plate at www.eatwell.gov.uk.
Are you a Healthy
Body Weight?
• Being over or underweight can reduce your
chances of conceiving so it is very important
to have and maintain a healthy body weight.
• If you feel you are not a healthy body weight,
your GP can advise you on local services that
are available to assist you in managing your
weight.
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