Pregnant women always need to supplement balanced nutrients to support the normal activities of their babies. Nearly all the essential nutrients needed by pregnant women can be found in common foods. However, it does not mean that women can eat anything during pregnancy. It is important for pregnant women to maintain a balanced and healthy diet during pregnancy. 

The balanced diet should be composed of fresh vegetables, fruits, dairy products, lean meat, eggs, and so on. Such a kind of balanced diet can provide vitamins, mineral substances, trace elements, , protein and some other nutrients for pregnant women. For example, fresh vegetables can provide vitamins and lean meat can provide protein.

Protein is an essential substance to produce body tissues. It can work together with other nutrients to adjust the physiological function and accelerate growth of unborn babies.

Calcium is an essential substance to accelerate the formation of bones and teeth. Women can supplement calcium to adjust heart rate, accelerate metabolism of iron and protect functions of nerve. The foods like dairy products and soy bean products contain rich calcium.

Mineral substances mainly include phosphorus, iron, potassium, magnesium, sodium and chlorine. A lack of mineral substances can cause weariness, anemia and headache among pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women should supplement mineral substances by eating beef, fish, sesame and nuts.

Vitamins have a big family. The family members include vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K and B vitamins. Each kind of vitamin plays a unique role in improving health of women. For example, vitamin D can accelerate absorption of calcium, adjust metabolism of calcium and phosphorus and improve normal growth of bones and teeth. Folic acid is a family member of B vitamins. The adequate absorption of folic acid can accelerate reproduction of red cells, protect digestive tract and improve development of marrow. Women should supplement adequate folic acid during pregnancy.

Trace elements include copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, fluorine, iodine, molybdenum, nickel and cobalt. Pregnant women always need adequate trace elements to maintain the acid-base balance, accelerate normal development of bones and protect internal organs like heart and liver. For example, women can supplement enough magnesium to accelerate the synthesis of protein, adjust the body temperature and maintain the health of heart, brain, kidney and liver.

During pregnancy, women should supplement all the essential nutrients mentioned above so as to maintain healthy growth of their unborn babies.