Pregnancy is a critical window of nutritional opportunity and vulnerability. A woman’s health and nutritional intake can influence foetal development, pregnancy outcomes and both maternal and child long-term health. Dietitians, nutritionists, midwives, GPs and other healthcare professionals are well placed to provide nutritional guidance throughout this important life stage. Recent updates to NICE guidance on Maternal and Child Nutrition (NG247), together with NICE Antenatal guidelines (NG201), RCOG and BNF clinical frameworks, and recommendations from the WHO, provide a valuable framework for supporting nutritional care before and during pregnancy.

  1. Perumal N, Gernand AD. Nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes. Ann Nutr Metab. 2025. 81:19-32. doi:10.1159/000541
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Maternal and Child Nutrition: Nutrition and Weight Management in Pregnancy, and Nutrition in Children up to 5 Years. NICE Guideline NG247. NICE. 2025. Accessed April 16, 2026. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng247
  3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Antenatal Care. NICE Guideline NG201. NICE. 2021. Accessed April 1, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201/resources/antenatal-care-pdf-66143709695941
  4. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Healthy Eating and Vitamin Supplements in Pregnancy. RCOG. 2022. Accessed May 1, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/healthy-eating-and-vitamin-supplements-in-pregnancy/
  5. World Health Organisation. Global Nutrition Targets 2030: Topical Briefs on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition. WHO. 2025. Accessed May 5, 2026. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/B09485
  6. Public Health England. The Eatwell Guide. Public Health England. 2016. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bbb790de5274a22415d7fee/Eatwell_guide_colour_edition.pdf
  7. Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy. NHS. 2023. Accessed May 1, 2026. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
  8. The Eatwell Guide. NHS; 2022. Accessed May 8, 2026. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/
  9. Lassi ZS, Salam RA, Haider BA, Bhutta ZA. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. CD006896. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006896.pub2
  10. Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Update on Folic Acid. Public Health England. 2017. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a82c5e240f0b62305b94444/SACN_Update_on_folic_acid.pdf
  11. UK Government. Healthy Start. GOV.UK. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/healthy-start
  12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Vitamin D: Supplement Use in Specific Population Groups. NICE Public Health Guideline PH56. NICE. 2014. Updated August 2017. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56/resources/vitamin-d-supplement-use-in-specific-population-groups-pdf-1996421765317
  13. Lee SS, Ling KH, Tusimin M, Subramaniam R, Rahim KF, Loh SP. Interplay between maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficiency and vitamin-D-related gene polymorphism with neonatal birth anthropometry. Nutrients. 2022.14:564. doi:10.3390/nu14030564
  14. Cristófalo MM, de Almeida Garcia JO, Aldrighi JFS, Cristófalo RM, França MLM, Luzia LA, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2026.84:600-614
  15. Pavord S, Daru J, Prasannan N, Robinson S, Stanworth S, Girling J; BSH Committee. UK guidelines on the management of iron deficiency in pregnancy. Br J Haematol. 2020;188:819-830. doi:10.1111/bjh.16221
  16. Arens U; British Dietetic Association. Iron. BDA. 2021. Accessed May 15, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iron-rich-foods-iron-deficiency.html
  17. Tommy’s. Iron in Pregnancy. Tommy’s. 2024. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/iron-pregnancy
  18. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: Report. GOV.UK; 2025. Accessed May 16, 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023-report
  19. Bath S, Pettitt C; British Dietetic Association. Iodine. BDA; 2022. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html
  20. Marshall NE, Abrams B, Barbour LA, et al. The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022.226:607-632 doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035
  21. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management. NICE Guideline NG239. NICE. 2024. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/chapter/Recommendations#managing-vitamin-b12-deficiency
  22. Basak S, Duttaroy AK. Maternal PUFAs, placental epigenetics, and their relevance to fetal growth and brain development. Reprod Sci. 2023. 30:408-427 doi:10.1007/s43032-022-00989-w
  23. Kumar KD, Abayomi J; British Dietetic Association. Pregnancy and Diet. BDA. 2020. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/pregnancy-diet.html
  24. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Diabetes in Pregnancy: Management from Preconception to the Postnatal Period. NICE Guideline NG3. NICE; 2015. Updated December 2020. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3/resources/diabetes-in-pregnancy-management-from-preconception-to-the-postnatal-period-pdf-51038446021
  25. Mayne IK, Levy MJ, Vaidya B, McGovern AP. The glucose management of gestational diabetes in the UK: a national survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025.25:816. doi:10.1186/s12884-025-07881-w
  26. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overweight and Obesity Management. NICE Guideline NG246. NICE. 2025. Updated January 2026. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246
  27. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Physical Activity and Pregnancy. RCOG. 2023. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/physical-activity-and-pregnancy/
  28. Tommy’s. Exercise: New Guidelines Say Every Little Helps! Tommy’s. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/blogs-and-stories/im-pregnant/pregnancy-news-and-blogs/exercise-new-guidelines-say-every-little-helps
  29. Nelson-Piercy C, Dean C, Shehmar M, Gadsby R, O’Hara M, Hodson K, et al; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum (Green-top Guideline No. 69). BJOG. 2024.131:e1-e30. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.17739

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Pregnancy Sickness (Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum). RCOG. 2024. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pregnancy-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy-and-hyperemesis-gravidarum/

About the Author: India Noakes, ANutr, NMC

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Pregnancy is a critical window of nutritional opportunity and vulnerability. A woman’s health and nutritional intake can influence foetal development, pregnancy outcomes and both maternal and child long-term health. Dietitians, nutritionists, midwives, GPs and other healthcare professionals are well placed to provide nutritional guidance throughout this important life stage. Recent updates to NICE guidance on Maternal and Child Nutrition (NG247), together with NICE Antenatal guidelines (NG201), RCOG and BNF clinical frameworks, and recommendations from the WHO, provide a valuable framework for supporting nutritional care before and during pregnancy.

  1. Perumal N, Gernand AD. Nutrition during pregnancy and birth outcomes. Ann Nutr Metab. 2025. 81:19-32. doi:10.1159/000541
  2. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Maternal and Child Nutrition: Nutrition and Weight Management in Pregnancy, and Nutrition in Children up to 5 Years. NICE Guideline NG247. NICE. 2025. Accessed April 16, 2026. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng247
  3. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Antenatal Care. NICE Guideline NG201. NICE. 2021. Accessed April 1, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201/resources/antenatal-care-pdf-66143709695941
  4. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Healthy Eating and Vitamin Supplements in Pregnancy. RCOG. 2022. Accessed May 1, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/healthy-eating-and-vitamin-supplements-in-pregnancy/
  5. World Health Organisation. Global Nutrition Targets 2030: Topical Briefs on Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition. WHO. 2025. Accessed May 5, 2026. Available: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/B09485
  6. Public Health England. The Eatwell Guide. Public Health England. 2016. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5bbb790de5274a22415d7fee/Eatwell_guide_colour_edition.pdf
  7. Foods to Avoid in Pregnancy. NHS. 2023. Accessed May 1, 2026. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/pregnancy/keeping-well/foods-to-avoid/
  8. The Eatwell Guide. NHS; 2022. Accessed May 8, 2026. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/food-guidelines-and-food-labels/the-eatwell-guide/
  9. Lassi ZS, Salam RA, Haider BA, Bhutta ZA. Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy for maternal health and pregnancy outcomes. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013. CD006896. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD006896.pub2
  10. Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition. Update on Folic Acid. Public Health England. 2017. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a82c5e240f0b62305b94444/SACN_Update_on_folic_acid.pdf
  11. UK Government. Healthy Start. GOV.UK. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/healthy-start
  12. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Vitamin D: Supplement Use in Specific Population Groups. NICE Public Health Guideline PH56. NICE. 2014. Updated August 2017. Accessed May 14, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ph56/resources/vitamin-d-supplement-use-in-specific-population-groups-pdf-1996421765317
  13. Lee SS, Ling KH, Tusimin M, Subramaniam R, Rahim KF, Loh SP. Interplay between maternal and neonatal vitamin D deficiency and vitamin-D-related gene polymorphism with neonatal birth anthropometry. Nutrients. 2022.14:564. doi:10.3390/nu14030564
  14. Cristófalo MM, de Almeida Garcia JO, Aldrighi JFS, Cristófalo RM, França MLM, Luzia LA, et al. Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women: systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutr Rev. 2026.84:600-614
  15. Pavord S, Daru J, Prasannan N, Robinson S, Stanworth S, Girling J; BSH Committee. UK guidelines on the management of iron deficiency in pregnancy. Br J Haematol. 2020;188:819-830. doi:10.1111/bjh.16221
  16. Arens U; British Dietetic Association. Iron. BDA. 2021. Accessed May 15, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iron-rich-foods-iron-deficiency.html
  17. Tommy’s. Iron in Pregnancy. Tommy’s. 2024. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/im-pregnant/nutrition-in-pregnancy/iron-pregnancy
  18. Office for Health Improvement and Disparities. National Diet and Nutrition Survey 2019 to 2023: Report. GOV.UK; 2025. Accessed May 16, 2026. Available: https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023/national-diet-and-nutrition-survey-2019-to-2023-report
  19. Bath S, Pettitt C; British Dietetic Association. Iodine. BDA; 2022. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/iodine.html
  20. Marshall NE, Abrams B, Barbour LA, et al. The importance of nutrition in pregnancy and lactation: lifelong consequences. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022.226:607-632 doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2021.12.035
  21. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Over 16s: Diagnosis and Management. NICE Guideline NG239. NICE. 2024. Accessed May 6, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng239/chapter/Recommendations#managing-vitamin-b12-deficiency
  22. Basak S, Duttaroy AK. Maternal PUFAs, placental epigenetics, and their relevance to fetal growth and brain development. Reprod Sci. 2023. 30:408-427 doi:10.1007/s43032-022-00989-w
  23. Kumar KD, Abayomi J; British Dietetic Association. Pregnancy and Diet. BDA. 2020. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.bda.uk.com/resource/pregnancy-diet.html
  24. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Diabetes in Pregnancy: Management from Preconception to the Postnatal Period. NICE Guideline NG3. NICE; 2015. Updated December 2020. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng3/resources/diabetes-in-pregnancy-management-from-preconception-to-the-postnatal-period-pdf-51038446021
  25. Mayne IK, Levy MJ, Vaidya B, McGovern AP. The glucose management of gestational diabetes in the UK: a national survey. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2025.25:816. doi:10.1186/s12884-025-07881-w
  26. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Overweight and Obesity Management. NICE Guideline NG246. NICE. 2025. Updated January 2026. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng246
  27. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Physical Activity and Pregnancy. RCOG. 2023. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/physical-activity-and-pregnancy/
  28. Tommy’s. Exercise: New Guidelines Say Every Little Helps! Tommy’s. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.tommys.org/pregnancy-information/blogs-and-stories/im-pregnant/pregnancy-news-and-blogs/exercise-new-guidelines-say-every-little-helps
  29. Nelson-Piercy C, Dean C, Shehmar M, Gadsby R, O’Hara M, Hodson K, et al; Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. The management of nausea and vomiting in pregnancy and hyperemesis gravidarum (Green-top Guideline No. 69). BJOG. 2024.131:e1-e30. doi:10.1111/1471-0528.17739

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Pregnancy Sickness (Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy and Hyperemesis Gravidarum). RCOG. 2024. Accessed May 17, 2026. Available: https://www.rcog.org.uk/for-the-public/browse-our-patient-information/pregnancy-sickness-nausea-and-vomiting-of-pregnancy-and-hyperemesis-gravidarum/

About the Author: India Noakes, ANutr, NMC

Leave A Comment

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