Tips on having a healthy pregnancy

2:30pm Monday 28th April 2008

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Pregnancy is an opportunity to make the right lifestyle changes for the sake of the baby's healthy development in the womb, its health later on and the mother's health too.

The right fats...

Eating trans fats increases the risk of developing heart disease, even more so than saturated fats. If trans fats are not listed on the nutrition composition of a product, check the ingredients label for hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Better still, bake and cook from scratch and reach for fruit or vegetables or a drink of water whenever you feel peckish.

An active pregnancy...

Keep exercising regularly as research shows that your baby's heart will get a workout too, giving it a good healthy start. Check with your midwife for the best exercise level for you.

Smoke-free ...

During pregnancy, your baby is exposed to the same chemicals as you are when you smoke, affecting its development early on but also its health later on.

Give your little one the best as early as possible: eat a heart-healthy balanced diet, keep active and avoid tobacco smoke. Pregnancy is such a short time, so make the right choices and invest in your child's health right from the start.

For more information and advice about healthy living, contact Heart Research UK.

on 0113 234 7474 or email lifestyle@heartresearch.org.uk.