Scenario 1:
On assessment, Ethel is a new mum-to-be who does not know how to eat for her condition. And because of the morning sickness, she experiences loss of appetite and generalized body weakness. And because she barely eats because of these factors, she is not gaining weight like she should. In her condition, she's supposed to consume an average of 2200kcal/day; and gain an average of 1pound per week during her pregnancy or an overall average weight gain of 25 - 35pounds throughout the period of her pregnancy.
Plan : Ethel should take a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement every day in addition to eating a healthy diet. The supplement should contain folic acid, calcium, vitamins A, B6, B12, C and D, iron. Dietary Protein intake should be increased. A sample day menu for Ethel is as follows :
Breakfast : Mexican egg wrap : Scramble one egg and one egg white in 2 teaspoons olive oil. Add 1 cup baby spinach and sauté until just wilted. Put egg-spinach mixture on a 10-inch whole wheat tortilla, along with 1/4 cup reduced fat shredded Mexican blend cheese and 1/4 cup salsa. Roll up and enjoy.
Snack : Hummus with veggies/prickles/pretzels : In a food processor puree 1 15 oz. can rinsed and drained chickpeas, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 3 tablespoons sesame tahini, 3 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1 clove finely minced garlic, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Serve 1/4 cup with 1 oz. pretzels/veggies or prickles.
Lunch : Parmesan Chicken Tenders with Marinara Dipping Sauce : Preheat oven to 475. Prepare 5 ounces of chicken tenders by dipping in an egg wash made with 2 egg whites lightly beaten with a fork, then in 2 tbsp bread crumbs (preferably whole wheat) mixed with 1 tbsp parmesan cheese, 1/2 teaspoon oregano, 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder. Bake chicken tenders on a wire rack or baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray for 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked to 165 degrees internally. Serve with 4.5 ounces baked Alexia sweet potato fries (about 18 fries) and 1 cup steamed broccoli drizzled with 1 teaspoon olive oil and a squeeze of lemon juice.
Dinner : Stuffed Acorn Squash with White Beans, Mushrooms & Wild Rice : Cut 1 medium acorn squash in half horizontally; remove seeds. Place on a baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray, cut side down. Bake at 375 degrees for 45 minutes or until tender. While squash is cooking, sauté 1/2 cup chopped onion, 1/2 cup chopped mushroom, 1/3 cup white beans and 1 clove chopped garlic in 2 teaspoons olive oil until soft, about 3-5 minutes. Add 1 cup cooked wild or brown rice and 1 Tbsp chopped pistachios to mixture and continue to stir until heated through, about 1 minute more. Set aside. Remove squash from the oven, stuff each half with the rice and bean mixture, then top each half with 2 tbsp parmesan cheese. Place in oven again and cook an additional 10 minutes.
For Ethel : It’s always important to eat a balanced diet — and it’s even more important when you’re pregnant because what you eat is the main source of nutrients for your baby. However, many women don’t get enough iron, folate, calcium, vitamin D, or protein. So when you are pregnant, it is important for you to eat an adequate diet rich in these nutrients and also take your daily dose of prenatal vitamins and minerals supplements which is rich in these nutrients. Taking a supplement ensures that you and your baby get enough important nutrients like folic acid and iron. But don't overdo it — taking too much can be harmful for you and your baby. The best place for you to get all the essential nutrients, including ample amounts of vitamins and minerals, is from your diet. The trick is getting enough. Studies have shown that women taking folic acid supplements around conception had significantly lower risks for giving birth to babies with neural tube defects (NTD), a type of birth defect where the embryonic neural tube that forms the future brain and spinal column fails to close properly. Taking your prenatal vitamins prevents any birth defects in the long run and keeps you and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy.
Alcohol and caffeine should be eliminated from your diet because it affects the baby's nutrient absorption.
Since you suffer from morning sickness, you should take snacks for breakfast (for instance, sandwiches) and a large evening meal (for instance brown rice and grilled turkey with vegetable salad). And select a larger breakfast and a light evening meal in the last trimester when heartburn is more of a problem.