Health Tip: Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

By
Diana Kohnle
May 29, 2008, 4:52 AM ET
1 min read

May 29 -- (HealthDay News) -- Three months to a year before you conceive, it's important to begin preparing your body for pregnancy.

The American Pregnancy Association offers these suggestions:

  • Get plenty of folic acid by eating lots of leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and fortified whole grains. Or take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms.
  • Drink at least three eight-ounce glasses of skim milk each day to get enough calcium. Other sources of calcium include: cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, canned salmon, sardines, rice and cheese.
  • Reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
  • Eliminate all artificial sweeteners, alcohol, any drugs that are not recommended by your doctor, and cigarettes.
  • Take any prenatal vitamins or supplements recommended by your doctor.