Beliefs and Practices About Food During Pregnancy

Abstract

As in many other countries, there are traditional beliefs in India regarding specific food items a pregnant woman should or should not eat during pregnancy and about the proper amount of food desirable for a pregnant woman
for successful reproductive outcome.

This paper reviews the evidence available from community or hospital studies regarding these beliefs as well as the reasons reported for these beliefs and the extent to which these are reflected in their food behavior. Programmatic implications of the findings are discussed.