

Planning Pregnancy
Even before becoming pregnant, your diet and lifestyle choices can play a role in your baby’s future health – even influencing their health as adults. Making some simple changes now can really help to get your pregnancy off to the very best start.

Professor Michael Turner welcomes the First 1000 Days Movement
“I warmly welcome the launch of this new website “the first 1,000 days”.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding – Beef and Black Bean Sauce
(Serves 6)
Spinach Rolls
“Created by my mum as a way to disguise spinach, this soon became my favourite dinner. I have yet to serve this up to someone who doesn’t love it!”
Jessica Schram, Paediatric Dietician, Dublin.
Makes 8 Spinach Rolls; Serves 2.
Tip: Serve with seasonal salad.
Professor Mike Gibney recognises the importance of the First 1000 Days
The importance of brain development in the First 1,000 Days is reflected in the extent to which the brain uses the energy consumed by infants.
Meatballs and Spaghetti
“It is often difficult to meet iron requirements in pregnancy, immediately after birth and in a toddler’s diet. This recipe provides a good source of Iron while also providing extra nutrients by adding vegetables to the sauce.”
Fiona Dunlevy, Senior Paediatric Dietician, Dublin
Serves 4
A classic dish rich in Iron and Vitamin C and great for the whole family!
Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon
NOTE: This recipe is for the planning pregnancy stage. Smoked salmon is not suitable during pregnancy. This recipe can also be eaten while breastfeeding.
(Serves 2)
Quick and Easy Chicken & Cashew Nut Stir Fry
(Serves 3)
The Caffeine Factor
Many Irish people enjoy a morning cup of coffee or a nice strong cup of tea in the afternoon to keep us going, but both will contain caffeine — something that’s not so good for your baby while pregnant, and may even affect your chances of conception if you drink it in large quantities.
Advice for Dads-to-be
Remember, it takes two to make a healthy baby, so now is the time to get both of you on board to do a quick MOT of lifestyle, diet and exercise habits. Maybe there are some small changes you can both make together to improve your chances of conception and give your future baby a head start on the road to a lifetime of good health. There is lots of evidence now linking the Dad-to-be’s health and dietary habits with his sperm quality — healthy sperm will help to programme the baby for a long and healthy life.
Spicy Turkey Burgers with Summer Salad
Makes 4 burgers