For the Pregnant Woman:

Eating Well When on Bed Rest

When on bed rest, planning helps you get the energy and nutrients needed to help your baby grow. If problems arise, the dietitian can give you some practical advice.

Shopping

• Prepare a grocery list for the person who will shop for you or that you can call in to a store that delivers.

• Choose nutritious foods that are easy to eat, easy to prepare or ready to eat, enjoyable cold or at room temperature, and not messy. Convenient choices include individual cans, bottles, or boxes of juice; pieces of fresh fruit; heat-and-serve (microwave) dinners; sandwiches; hard-boiled eggs; nuts; and cheese, milk, and other dairy products.

• To help avoid constipation, include some high-fiber foods like whole grains and fruits and vegetables.

• Try nutritious take-out foods such as pizza, salads, grilled chicken, and burritos.

• Avoid eating fried foods. You are likely to feel more comfortable and to meet your nutrient needs better.

Keeping Food at Your Bedside

• Keep a pitcher of water handy. You need lots of fluids.

• Keep an ice chest nearby for cold drinks and snacks such as milk, cottage cheese, yogurt, fruit juices, sandwiches, cheese, cut-up raw vegetables, and sliced fruit. Keep perishable foods cold.

• Keep whole-grain crackers or bread and peanut butter within reach.

Stimulating Your Appetite

• Make eating enjoyable: plan for variety and for attractive color and texture combinations; eat meals with family or friends.

• Eat small amounts often.