Health Promotion and Maintenance Q 95

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The nurse is teaching a pregnant client about nutritional needs during pregnancy. Which menu selection will best meet the nutritional needs of the pregnant client?

  

     A. Hamburger patty, green beans, French fries, and iced tea

     B. Roast beef sandwich, potato chips, baked beans, and cola

     C. Baked chicken, fruit cup, potato salad, coleslaw, yogurt, and iced tea

     D. Fish sandwich, gelatin with fruit, and coffee

    

    

Correct Answer: C. Baked chicken, fruit cup, potato salad, coleslaw, yogurt, and iced tea

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All of the choices are tasty, but the pregnant client needs a diet that is balanced and has increased amounts of calcium. This food item contains meat, fruit, potato salad, and yogurt, which has about 360 mg of calcium. To maintain a healthy pregnancy, approximately 300 extra calories are needed each day. These calories should come from a balanced diet of protein, fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Sweets and fats should be kept to a minimum.

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Option A: These food items are lacking in fruits and milk. Fruits like cantaloupe, honeydew, mangoes, prunes, bananas, apricots, oranges, and red or pink grapefruit (for potassium) are beneficial for the pregnant woman. Fat-free or low-fat yogurt, skim or 1% milk, soymilk (for calcium, potassium, vitamins A and D) are the appropriate milk during pregnancy.

Option B: The potato chips, which contain a large amount of sodium. An optimal pregnancy eating plan should mainly consist of whole foods, with plenty of nutrients to fulfill the woman’s and baby’s needs. Processed junk food is generally low in nutrients and high in calories, sugar, and added fats.

Option D: These food items are lacking vegetables and milk products. Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, spinach, cooked greens, tomatoes and red sweet peppers (for vitamin A and potassium) are essential for fetal growth and development.

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