What should I be eating? A healthy diet is an important part of
a healthy lifestyle at any time, but particularly when you're
planning a pregnancy. It's important to try to eat a variety of
foods including: - Plenty of fruit and vegetables (fresh,
frozen, tinned, dried or a glass of juice) - aim for at least
five portions a day - Plenty of starchy foods, such as bread,
pasta, rice and potatoes - Sources of protein, such as lean meat
and chicken, fish (aim for 2 servings of fish a week, including
one of oily fish), egg and pulses (such as beans and lentils).
These are also good sources of iron - Dairy foods, such as milk,
cheese and yoghurt, which contain calcium. Do I need extra iron?
Pregnant women can become deficient in iron, so when you're
trying to get pregnant it's a good idea to choose plenty of
iron-rich foods to build up your iron stores. Try to have some
food or drink containing vitamin C, such as a glass of fruit
juice, at the same time as an iron-rich meal because this will
help your body to absor