- Carbohydrate foods provide essential fuel for you and your baby during pregnancy.
- Carbohydrates supply energy through glucose, plus important vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre.
- For a steady energy supply, try wholegrain breads, cereals, crackers, wholemeal pasta, oats, brown rice, lentils and legumes.
The importance of carbohydrates during pregnancy
Key points
During pregnancy, carbohydrates provide essential fuel for you and your baby. Carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars like glucose, and the brain requires glucose as the main source of energy. Glucose moves easily through the placenta and is required for the development, growth and metabolism of maternal and foetal tissues. Glucose from carbohydrates is the optimal fuel for maintaining maternal and foetal brain function. Additionally, carbohydrates are an important source of folate, a B group vitamin needed for the healthy development of babies in early pregnancy.
Choosing healthy carbohydrates during pregnancy
Foods containing carbohydrates include:
- breads and cereals
- rice
- pasta
- potatoes
- kumara/sweet potato
- fruit
- milk
- yoghurt
- cakes
- biscuits
- lollies.
The digestive system will break these carbohydrate foods down into simple sugars, mainly glucose. Some carbohydrates are broken down quickly and can cause a rapid rise in blood glucose levels, while others are broken down slowly and release energy over a longer time period.
For a steady supply of energy and a feeling of fullness or satiety, it is a good idea to eat plenty of:
- wholegrain breads
- wholegrain cereals
- wholemeal pasta
- wholegrain crackers
- oats
- brown rice
- lentils
- legumes.
These carbohydrates provide a slow release of energy (glucose) and are an important source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre. Limit carbohydrates with little nutritional value that cause rapid rises in blood glucose levels such as biscuits, cakes, chocolate, lollies and other refined foods.
The importance of fibre
Fruit and vegetables, wholegrain foods, and potatoes, particularly when eaten with their skin on, are all sources of fibre. Also a carbohydrate, fibre helps to keep your digestive system healthy and regular. This is especially important during pregnancy, when constipation can be a problem.
A note about hygiene with rice and grains
Cooked rice and grains left at room temperature can be a breeding ground for bacteria that can make you ill. To minimise any risk, cook these foods ready for when you need them, rather than preparing them ahead of time and avoid store-bought sushi while you are pregnant.
Get in touch with our Careline experts
When your little one is unhappy or unwell you want reliable support from a trusted source. Our Careline team of nutritionists, dietitians and midwives specialise in infant and child health, offering free nutrition, feeding and product information.
Related pages
Every feeding journey is unique
Not every parent can produce breast milk. No matter what choice you make, we will support your unique feeding journey.
We at Nutricia believe in providing the best nutrition for babies, which is why we recognise breast milk is uniquely superior for babies as it provides many benefits. It is important that mums have a healthy diet to support breastfeeding. A decision not to breastfeed, or partial bottle feed, may reduce breast milk supply making it difficult to reverse. The cost and social implications of using feeding methods should be considered. Always seek professional advice about feeding your baby. Ensure formula is used as directed as improper use can affect baby’s health.
REMEMBER: The information on this page is general only. If you have any concerns about your baby’s poo or questions about constipation or any other health concerns, please speak to a healthcare professional, like a Pharmacist, GP or Maternal Child Health Nurse.