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Teen Pregnancy Requires Good Nutrition

May 20, 2004

Pregnancy during teenage years brings an extra risk for the mother and the developing fetus.

Teenage girls are still growing themselves. In fact, a pregnant teen’s need for energy, protein, and some vitamins and minerals often exceeds that of adult women. What a pregnant teen eats today affects her own short- and long-term health and her baby’s, too.

The best way for a teenager who is pregnant to try to meet her dietary needs is to maintain a regular three-meal schedule with three nutritious snacks, keeping in mind, adequate servings from all the different food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid is important. A varied, balanced eating plan is the only way to provide enough nutrients and food energy during pregnancy and to “feed” an unborn baby.

For help with a nutrition plan that meets the needs of a teenage mother and her growing infant, contact a dietetics professional.

Produced by ADA's Public Relations Team