For the average adult, following a healthy balanced diet should be enough to ensure all round good health.
There are exceptions of course. Pregnancy can often see a change in dietary requirements - although the ‘eating for two’ excuse is largely a myth. It’s only in the final trimester that a woman’s body needs extra food energy, and even then it’s only about 200 calories more per day more – the equivalent of two extra slices of bread.
If you’re planning to get pregnant it’s a good idea to up your intake of folates (or folic acid) at least three months beforehand. Found in leafy green vegetables, oranges and fortified cereals, folates have been found to reduce the risk of birth defects (neural tube defects).
« previous
next »
