Have you heard of the expression, “You are what you eat”? Now, what does it really mean?
To put it simply, it means your body gets the nutrients it needs from the foods that you eat. In order to get all these nutrients to stay healthy, we need to eat a variety of foods. This is especially important when planning a pregnancy.
It’s essential to provide your body with the nutrients that will build your future baby.
According to the new Canada Food Guide, eating healthy means choosing a variety of foods each day, and include the following on your plate:
- plenty of vegetables and fruit
- whole grain products more often
- add protein rich foods
- make water your go to drink
Eating healthy also means:
- Paying attention to your eating habits, cooking your own food more often and sharing meals with others are different ways that will lead you to healthy eating.
- Eating a variety of foods will help you to include important nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D, folate and iron. Since most Canadians only get 2/3 of their folate needs from foods, a multivitamin with at least 0.4 mg (400 mcg) of folic acid is recommended daily to prevent neural tube defects.
Following Canada’s Food Guide recommendations before becoming pregnant will help you meet the nutrition requirements needed during pregnancy and for your baby.
For more info, connect with:
- Toronto Public Health via eChat or call 416-338-7600
- Telehealth to speak with a Registered Dietitian 1-866-797-0000
