Food and Nutrton 
                                             
               Gudelnes for 
               Healthy Pregnant  
               and Breastfeedng Women
                 
               A background paper  
              Food and Nutrton Gudelnes for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeedng Women:  A background paper
                                                                    
                      Citation: Ministry of Health. 2006.  Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy  
                                Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: A background paper.  
                                              Wellington: Ministry of Health.
                                                  Published in April 2006  
                             Revised November 2008 (mercury and allergy content updated) 
                                                 by the Ministry of Health 
                                          PO Box 5013, Wellington, New Zealand
                                             ISBN 978-0-478-31778-7 (Print) 
                                            ISBN 978-0-478-31779-4 (Online) 
                                                          HP 4232
                             This document is available on the Ministry of Health’s website: 
                                                 http://www.moh.govt.nz
                                                                  –
                     Food and Nutrton Gudelnes for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeedng Women:  A background paper
            
        Foreword 
        Good nutrition is important for all New Zealanders, but it assumes an even greater 
        importance for women when they are pregnant or breastfeeding their infant. 
        Pregnancy is a time when nutritional needs are higher, and meeting those needs has 
        a positive effect on the health of both the mother and her unborn baby. The effects of 
        nutrition while the foetus is developing during pregnancy last for a lifetime, and we want 
        to see children inherit a legacy of good health for the future. We also want to see women 
        enjoying a healthy pregnancy without the negative effects of poor nutrition on their health, 
        and in the best possible nutritional state to support breastfeeding. 
        Breastfeeding is the best and safest way to feed infants, and women and families need to 
        be given all the advice and support possible to assist them in establishing and continuing 
        breastfeeding for at least the first six months of the infant’s life. 
        This background paper brings together all the key areas of food and nutrition affecting 
        the health of pregnant and breastfeeding women. It is intended that health practitioners, 
        educators and caregivers will use this paper and the accompanying health education 
        booklets, Eating for Healthy Pregnant Women and Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women, 
        to provide sound advice and support to pregnant and breastfeeding women and their 
        families to achieve a healthy lifestyle. 
        Food and Nutrition Guidelines for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women: A 
        background paper supports three of the key priorities in the New Zealand Health Strategy, 
        and along with the other background papers in the series of population group-specific 
        background papers, forms an important technical basis for implementing the Healthy 
        Eating– Healthy Action Strategy. 
        Dr Don Matheson  
        Deputy-Director General  
        Public Health Directorate
             Food and Nutrton Gudelnes for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeedng Women:  A background paper
                                                            
        Acknowledgements 
        The Ministry of Health would like to thank all those who have contributed to the 
        development of this document. In particular, thanks go to Dr Jane Coad, Dr Janet Weber, 
        Kathryn Beck, Dr Kathy Kitson, and Zirsha Wharemate from Massey University. 
        The many individuals and groups who gave feedback as part of the public consultation 
        process and the specialists who provided advice have shaped this background paper 
        significantly. The Ministry of Health appreciates the assistance of the many people who 
        have had input during the process. 
        The preparation of this document was led by Christine Stewart from the Non-Communicable 
        Disease Policy Group at the Ministry of Health, with technical assistance from many other 
        staff of the Ministry of Health, especially Mary-Louise Hannah, Elizabeth Aitken and Mari 
        Skar Manger. 
       v   Food and Nutrton Gudelnes for Healthy Pregnant and Breastfeedng Women:  A background paper