A nutrition neophyte?  Do you and your partner consider French fries a valid vegetable option?  Or maybe you just need some structure to help ensure that your partner is getting all the nutrition she needs during the pregnancy.  Whatever your reason may be, our PREGNANCY NUTRITION CHECKLIST can help guide the two (three, if you count the bun in the oven) of you through a healthy pregnancy journey.

Now that your partner is pregnant, you both have an obligation to ensure that your growing baby gets all the nutrients it needs to develop healthily. This may not seem like a huge issue to you, but it should- it's your baby, too. Besides, you gal will appreciate your support and involvement in the pregnancy.

Your partner should aim to increase her daily caloric intake by about 300 calories, more if she is exercising regularly. For most women, this means eating between 2300 and 2500 calories each day. You should know that she may be concerned about blimping out during her pregnancy. With this in mind, you should always first respond by flattering her and telling her that she looks sexy. Then, you should get onto the more important message and remind her that proper weight gain is necessary for delivering a healthy baby. Gaining too much or too little won't do anyone any good. Also remember that the quality of the food your partner eats is far more important than the quantity.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, pregnant women should consume the following every day:
- 3 to 4 servings of dairy
- 3 to 4 servings of protein
- 3 servings of fruits
- 4 servings of vegetables
- 9 servings of whole grain products
- 3 servings of good fats and oils
- Sweets in moderation

Aim to get 60-75 grams of protein a day and remember to keep her carbohydrate intake up. This is not the time to follow the Atkins craze.

To help you both navigate through the nutritional complexities of pregnancy, print out a bunch of copies of our checklist and post it on your fridge (after consulting with your partner, of course!). Your partner should put an X (or smiley face) in the appropriate box to indicate that she has eaten a serving of that food group. This list will help the two of you ensure that your partner is getting the necessary nutrients she needs to feed your growing baby.

Thefunkystork.com is a pregnancy resource and parenting guide for expectant fathers and new dads.  It provides only general information designed for educational purposes, and does not offer pregnancy or pediatric advice. You should always consult a physician about concerns you have with your pregnancy or your child's health.

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