Additional Resources

For more information on managing

your nutritional needs during
pregnancy visit the following websites
or speak to a registered dietitian.

How does the disease Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

affect my nutritional http://www.eatright.org/
needs?
American Pregnancy Association

http://americanpregnancy.org/
Sufficient dietary intake is important for
pregnant women and even more so for AIDS.gov
HIV-positive mothers. Research has
https://www.aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/
shown that adequate dietary intake can
even delay the progression of the Choose MyPlate
disease in well-nourished individuals.
https://www.choosemyplate.gov/
Individuals with HIV require up to 15%
more calories and up to 50% more
protein in their diets to combat the
La Leche League
NUTRITION
damage caused by the virus. Adequate
http://www.llli.org/
FOR A
consumption of vitamins and minerals,
especially vitamin A for its role in
HEALTHY
immunity, can fortify your body’s PREGNANCY
immune system to fight the virus as well
as opportunistic infections which are
WITH
infections that occur in people with HIV/AIDS
weakened immune systems. Speak to a NUTRITION FOR A
registered dietitian if you need help HEALTHY PREGNANCY
meeting your daily nutritional needs. WITH HIV/AIDS
Rose Alexander
NUTR247

• Breastfeed exclusively for six months
• Cease breastfeeding and make an
• Pay attention to your baby for any
How will treatment affect my dietary
intake?
Some patients on anti-retroviral
medication used to treat HIV/AIDS may
experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,
and loss of appetite. Speak to your
physician if you are experiencing any of
these symptoms so that you can discuss
better alternatives to your current
regimen. It is important that this is done
as soon as possible as an adequate diet
can reduce the risk of mother to child
transmission of the virus and slow the
progression of HIV infection.
Can I breastfeed and
will it hurt my baby?
Breastfeeding with HIV is discouraged
when other safe feeding alternatives
such as formula are available. However,
if breastfeeding is the only option
available to you or you really want to
breastfeed there are precautions you can
take to decrease the risk of transmission
to your baby.
appointment to see your physician if
you notice any broken tissues on the
breast or in the baby’s mouth
behavioral changes or signs of illness
Are there any foods
that I should avoid?
HIV infection does not require you to
avoid any foods, but pregnancy does.
Speak to your physician or a registered
dietitian to find out what foods are
unsafe to consume during pregnancy.
What else can I do to
protect my baby?
There are several ways to prevent
mother to child transmission of HIV.
• Start an anti-retroviral regimen as
soon as you find out you are pregnant
or HIV positive as it will decrease the
possibility of transmission.
• Consume an adequate diet rich in
protein, vitamins, and minerals as this
will slow the progression of the
disease.
• If possible, deliver by Cesarean section
before your water breaks. Speak to
your OBGYN to come up with a
delivery plan to avoid HIV
transmission.
• Avoid breastfeeding if there are other
safe feeding alternatives available.
Speak to a lactation consultant if you
decide to breastfeed so that it is done
safely.