QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026 UPDATES
Pregnancy weight gain for normal weight - ANSWER- 25-35 lbs
*due to breast feeding and amniotic fluid
Dietary Guidelines for pregnant women - ANSWER- -Avoid foods such as raw eggs, raw
meats, excessive amounts of coffee (only one cup per day)
Vitamins that should not increase during pregnancy are - ANSWER- -Vitamin C
(hypercalcemia)
-Vitamin E (fetal heart defect)
-Vitamin K (prolong jaundice)
Preeclampsia nutrition related concerns - ANSWER- -Patient will be put on the DASH diet
(hypertension diet) to help lower BP
-Limit and avoid trans fats, sat. fats, sugar, salt, no fast food, no coffee
-Increase foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and vitamins, fruits and vegetables, whole grain,
protein
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus - ANSWER- Recommended foods to prevent GDM include
carbohydrates, iron, calcium, protein, and fat sources. (simple carbs, fruits and veggies)
Maternal PKU - ANSWER- Lack of proper dietary therapy during pregnancy. Findings in
infant: microcephaly, mental retardation, growth retardation, congenital heart defects.
-Pregnant women should not eat foods high in phenylalanine (should only consume 1-4 mg per
day)
-Avoid fish, meat, diet soda, eggs, wheat
-Fruit, vegetables, and low protein foods are okay to eat
Lactation - ANSWER- 750-1000mL of breast milk daily
-500 kcal for producing breast milk daily
, *avoid foods such as garlic, citrus (lemon/limes), broccoli, spices, and cauliflower because it
may alter taste of breast milk
Infancy birth weight and breast feeding - ANSWER- -first 6 months of life infant should
consume breast milk.
-second 6 months of life infant should consume a combination of breast milk and baby food
Infant Dietary Guidelines - ANSWER- -Solid foods at 4-5 months
-if exclusively breastfeeding, baby should be taking in an iron supplement at 4 months old to
avoid iron deficiency anemia.
Infancy and Fat Consumption - ANSWER- -Fat and cholesterol consumption is important in
brain growth and development and nerve tissue
-If infant is overweight, do not restrict fats
Baby Bottle Tooth Decay - ANSWER- occurs when baby goes to bed with a bottle
-bottle before bed should only contain water
Nutrition-Related Concerns: Infancy - ANSWER- -Premature/low-weight = failure to thrive
-if child has PKU, phenyl-free formula should be used
-If baby has galactosemia (lactose intolerant) baby should consume soy formula
Toddlers: 1-3 years old diet - ANSWER- -limit 100% juice: 4-6oz per day
-consume snack foods such as graham crackers, apple slices, and cheese cubes
-Limit milk intake to 24oz per day due to lack of iron
-child should try food product 7-10 times before deciding not to like something
Preschoolers: 4-6 years old diet - ANSWER- -environmental influencer eaters
-avoid eating sugary foods while watching tv
-healthy plate contains: veggies, fruits, whole grain, healthy protein, water, healthy oils
School age children: 7-12 years old diet - ANSWER- -Concerns are: 10% skipping breakfast
and type of diet they are consuming
-Risk for diabetes and obesity