Just because March is almost over is no reason to gloss over this month’s designation as National Nutrition Month by the American Dietetic Association (ADA). The annual campaign encourages well-informed dietary choices for nutrition and overall health.

It’s a fact
This year’s theme is “Nutrition: It’s a Matter of Fact.” Campaign resources are free and downloadable on the ADA website including fact sheets and other handouts in both English and Spanish, healthy recipe guides, nutrition quizzes, and information pertaining to pregnancy and nutrition.

Whether a pregnant or veteran mom, there is bound to be information to help get you back on track or that reinforces that the choices you are already making are good ones.

For example, did you know that:

• My Pyramid can help you develop a personalized plan for lifelong health. There is even a special section on the site devoted to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
• Diet or exercise alone will only take you halfway to your optimum fitness goal. In order to achieve true overall health and fitness, both must be a balanced part of your plan.
• Registered dietitians are uniquely qualified to help you translate the science behind nutrition into advice you can use to achieve your goals.
• Focusing on nutrient-rich foods rather than “good” or “bad” foods may help you be more successful. Make sure that the majority of your diet consists of lower calorie food choices that are vitamin, mineral, fiber, and nutrient rich for overall well-being.

Fact vs. Fiction
Any woman who has ever been pregnant knows that the second the baby bump becomes obvious to the world you are suddenly bombarded with everybody else’s opinion on your body, pregnancy, diet, and of course, how to raise your child.

No matter how well-intentioned some of this unsolicited advice may be, it is important for pregnant mothers and their growing babies to be absolutely sure that any dietary changes they make are based on scientific fact and not just Aunt Susie’s opinion.

The ADA has included a fact sheet entitled “Pregnancy: Fact vs. Fiction” amongst the plethora of educational materials available for National Nutrition Month, with the goal of promoting good nutritional status, optimized maternal health, and the reduction of birth defects.

Here are a few highlights:

• Have you ever been told that a pregnant woman only needs to consume an extra 300 calories per day? I know that I heard this plenty of times myself. And while the equivalent of one tablespoon of peanut butter may be enough for other women, I knew that I needed a little bit more to feel fully functional. The bottom line? Follow your own physician’s recommendations for caloric intake and weight-gain, which may vary depending on your height and weight before pregnancy and whether you are carrying one baby or multiples.
• One drink a day can’t hurt, right? Wrong, says the ADA. Even at a moderate one- drink-per-day limit, women who regularly consume alcohol during pregnancy may increase their risk of miscarriage or delivering a low birth weight baby.
• While it may be a bit more challenging for a vegetarian to consume the appropriate amounts and combinations of proteins, calories, and vitamins for a healthy pregnancy, it is entirely possible to do so. The ADA recommends speaking with a registered dietitian.
  

Other fact sheets that may be of interest to pregnant or veteran moms:

• Weight Management
• What’s a Mom to do? Healthy Eating Tips for Families
• Eating Better Together: A Family Guide to a Healthier Lifestyle
• The Role of 100 Percent Juice in a Healthy Diet