Post written by Corry L. Matthews.

What you eat before pregnancy is just as important as what you eat during pregnancy.  During the three months wanting to get pregnant I began following all the rules for pregnancy, and I truly believe it helped me have the healthiest pregnancy possible.  The most important and yet simplest ways to prepare is by staring your prenatal vitamin early. (Recommendation for a great prenatal – Once Daily Prenatal by Max Muscle Sports Nutrition).

Not even sure where to begin…take this simple 10 question quiz.

After taking this easy test you’ll be well aware of a few steps you can take to have the best and healthiest pregnancy possible.

What first?

Taking folic acid, a small tiny B-vitamin can help prevent specific neural tube defects, according to the March of Dimes. The neural tube is an embryonic structure that develops into the brain and spinal cord.  Spina bifida, one of the two most common neural tube defects, is a condition in which there is exposure of part of the spinal cord and its coverings. The other is anencephaly, in which a large portion of the child’s brain is missing.   Protecting your baby from these serious defects is simple – take 400 mg of folic acid daily during your child-bearing age. Once you are pregnant the need for folic acid doubles!  No worries, your prenatal vitamin will have plenty of it!  For more on folic acid check out one of the following links:

• http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/173_769.asp
• http://www.news-medical.net/news/2008/03/06/35981.aspx

Another important pre and during pregnancy supplement is DHA and EPA, or commonly known as omega’s 3-6-9, found in fish oil. Studies show that DHA and EPA are extremely beneficial in the development phase of a baby’s brain.  Therefore, aim to add a fish oil supplement into your folic acid regiment, pre-pregnancy and throughout pregnancy.  And not to worry, the lead you have read about (see reasons to avoid some fish during pregnancy) – all fish oils have lead removed and are in no way dangerous to you or your growing baby!

Recommendations for Omega’s:

• Omega 3-6-9 Max Muscle Sports Nutrition
• Usana BiOmega or OptOmega

For more information about DHA and EPA log onto http://www.drhoffman.com/page.cfm/84

One last pre-pregnancy tidbit…what you eat…here is an easy shopping list courtesy of the March of Dimes:

____ Prenatal vitamins (ask your health-care provider which is best for you)

____ Fortified, whole grain breakfast cereal

____ Whole grain bread and/or crackers

____ Seasonal fruits such as apples, peaches, melon, berries

____ Calcium-fortified orange juice

____ Dried fruits (without sulfites)

____ Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale

____ Other seasonal vegetables such as asparagus, broccoli, pea pods

____ Low-fat or skim milk

____ Low-fat yogurt

____ Hard cheese (avoid soft cheese during pregnancy)

____ Lean beef or chicken, fish, and/or eggs (if you eat meat)

____ Tofu (bean curd)

____ Dried legumes such as lentils, navy beans, pinto beans

http://www.parents.com/pregnancy/getting-pregnant/pre-pregnancy-health/shopping-checklist/

Super special tip regarding Fish Oil pills – key if you are prone to nausea later in pregnancy…keep them in the freezer, and you won’t get those nasty fish burbs…and it doesn’t hurt the fish oil!