Healthy Eating

A healthy diet is an important part of a healthy lifestyle at any time. It is vital to eat well while you are pregnant. During pregnancy eating well helps your baby to develop and grow.  It is very important to eat a variety of different foods every day to get the right balance of nutrients that you and your baby need. Click here for more information.

 

Healthy Start

If you’re pregnant or have a child under 4, the UK Welfare Healthy Start scheme can help you buy basic foods like milk or fruit. It aims to improve the health of pregnant women, infants, children and their families on benefits or low incomes.

If you qualify, you’ll get vouchers worth £3.10 each to spend on:

• milk
• fresh fruit and vegetables
• plain frozen fruit and vegetables
• infant formula

You can also get free vitamin supplements.

For more information about Healthy Start, see  http://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/

 

Vitamins

During pregnancy you can get most vitamins and minerals from the food you eat however you also need to take a folic acid supplement as well, to make sure you get everything you need.

Click here to read more about vitamins and supplements in pregnancy.

 

Foods to avoid

While you are pregnant, it can be wise to avoid some foods including some cheeses such as soft blue-veined varieties, pate, and raw or undercooked meat. More details are available here

When you are pregnant you may find you’re hungrier than normal however you don’t need to “eat for two” – even if you are expecting twins or triplets. Having a healthy breakfast can help you to avoid snacking on foods that are high in fat and sugar.

 

Healthy lifestyle

It is safest not to drink any alcohol while you are pregnant and, if you smoke, stopping smoking is one of the best things you can do to give your child a healthy start in life. Support is available to help you

In Greenwich, stop smoking support is available at 0800 470 4831

More information on healthy eating can be found here.