Prepregnancy Nutrition Shopping Checklist

Babies need good nutrition right from the beginning. In fact, much of the fetus's essential growth will take place in the first few weeks of your pregnancy.

Even before you start eating for two, get in the habit of shopping for healthy foods that provide the nutrients you both need. Print out this shopping checklist using the "Print" function on your Web browser, and bring it to your local supermarket or health food store next time you shop.

____ Prenatal vitamins (ask your health-care provider which is best for you)

____ Fortified, whole grain breakfast cereal

____ Whole grain bread and/or crackers

____ Seasonal fruits such as apples, peaches, melon, berries

____ Calcium-fortified orange juice

____ Dried fruits (without sulfites)

____ Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale

____ Other seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, pea pods

____ Low-fat or skim milk

____ Low-fat yogurt

____ Hard cheese (avoid soft cheese during pregnancy)

____ Lean beef or chicken, fish, and/or eggs (if you eat meat)

____ Tofu (bean curd)

____ Dried legumes such as lentils, navy beans, pinto beans

Source: Based on nutritional recommendations from the March of Dimes: 888-MODIMES, MarchofDimes.com and Nacersano.org

All content here, including advice from doctors and other health professionals, should be considered as opinion only. Always seek the direct advice of your own doctor in connection with any questions or issues you may have regarding your health or the health of others.