Author(s): Dr. Balwinder Kaur

Abstract:
The malnutrition problem among pregnant women is common. An attempt was made to determine the nutrient intake and food beliefs during pregnancy. The present investigation was conducted on one thousand and two pregnant women from Faridkot district of Punjab. Majority of the respondent (72 per cent) did not believe in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ foods.28 per cent of subject believed in ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ foods. Out of these 22 per cent took ‘hot’ food such as ginger, garlic, egg, meat, fish, brinjal, aniseed, jaggery, cloves during pregnancy because according to these respondents consumption of ‘hot’ food caused easy delivery. The average intake of energy by the low and the, higher socio-economic group subject in their sixth to seventh, seventh to eighth, eighth to ninth month was 1659,1704,1791and2184,2206 and 2301Kcal. Protein intake in higher socio-economic group was adequate where as in lower socio-economic group was below RDA. The average intake of iron was adequate. Hence there is a strong need to provide nutrition counselling to mother as nutrient intake during pregnancy in turn reflects to nutritional status of new born.