Once a woman learns that she is pregnant, she is counseled by all and sundry about maintaining a healthy diet to ensure good health for her unborn child. Yes, if the mother is healthy, the fetus is healthy and so will be the infant that is delivered. If the unborn baby experiences a great life within the womb and in the outside environment, the child will face fewer health problems while growing up and as an adult. And this is where the Mayo Pregnancy Diet comes in!

Why is there so much stress on nutrition? Just give a thought to all the complications that can arise during a pregnancy - birth defects, toxemia, placenta and fetal membranes separating from the uterus before the onset of labor, miscarriage, or dehydration - and you will get your answer.

The Mayo Pregnancy Diet focuses on food pyramids. These pyramids are based on the idea that what holds good for the pregnant woman holds good for the unborn one too. So foods which can be consumed but are not strictly essential are placed at the top, while foods (giving optimal nutrition) which should be consumed in large quantities are settled at the base of the pyramid. The other categories come somewhere in between.

The food pyramid therefore guides the pregnant woman towards a balanced diet (adequate mix of proteins, carbohydrates, oils and fats, dairy products) which will ultimately result in both mother and baby developing strong bones and a healthy heart via good cell division. Weight is also kept under control.

The Mayo Pregnancy Diet recommends a caloric increase of 300 calories as both, mother and baby require sufficient nutrition. Foods included in the nutritional chart are also those suggested by the Mayo Pregnancy Diet. They are:

(a) Berries and other fruits. Berries provide essential folate as well as vitamin C.

(b) Beans are also an excellent source of minerals and vitamins.

(c) Zinc and vitamin B are provided by low-fat yoghurt.

(d) Calcium is found in low-fat cheese.

(e) Beef (lean cuts only).

(f) Low-fat milk plus vitamin D.

(g) Eggs strengthened with omega-3 fatty acids.

The basic dietary habits emphasized by the Mayo Pregnancy Diet are:

(a) Filling the diet with plenty of whole grain foods, as well as vegetables and fruits.

(b) Staying away from foods likely to produce cholesterol in the body.

(c) Trans fat to be consumed in a limited amount.

(d) Regular small meals to keep blood sugar levels normal.

(e) Total abstinence from alcohol.

(f) Weight to be controlled by keeping count of the calories contained in various foods.

A word of caution here - the Mayo Pregnancy Diet is to be followed only if the doctor approves it.

A look at the foods suggested in the Mayo Pregnancy Diet chart may make the mother with child feel that mealtimes are going to be rather dull! But there is hope yet! The Internet can suggest literally hundreds of dishes using the very foods suggested in the diet chart. All that is required is ensuring the consumption of essential nutrients while keeping weight under control. Hence, mealtimes can be very promising! After all, every pregnant woman would wish to deliver a healthy baby free of birth defects!