Pregnant women can use ordinary milk, yogurt or milk powder, but it is generally recommended to use pregnant milk powder. What is milk powder for pregnant women? Milk powder for pregnant women is a milk powder fortified with a variety of nutrients to meet the needs of pregnant women. It should meet the requirements for the preparation of milk powder in the National Standard for Milk Powder (GB19644-2010). Simply put, pregnant women''s milk powder is supplemented with a variety of nutrients that pregnant women particularly need. This is somewhat similar to the well-known infant formula.

　　We see a list of ingredients for a pregnant woman’s milk powder: fresh milk, skimmed milk powder, desalted whey powder, concentrated whey protein powder, lactose, white granulated sugar, maltodextrin, water-soluble dietary fiber (chrysanthemum Powder, added amount 1.5%), single cell algae docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), choline, magnesium sulfate, ferric pyrophosphate, zinc sulfate, sodium L-ascorbate, vitamin A, vitamin D3, vitamin E, vitamin K1, thiamine hydrochloride, riboflavin, pyridoxine hydrochloride, vitamin B12, niacinamide, calcium pantothenate, folic acid, β-carotene, food additives: phospholipids.

　　 According to the ingredient list, in addition to the basic ingredients of fresh milk, the pregnant woman’s milk powder added protein (skimmed milk powder, desalted whey powder, concentrated whey protein powder), sugars (lactose, white granulated sugar) , Maltodextrin and oligosaccharides from inulin), DHA, 3 minerals (magnesium, iron, zinc) and 14 vitamins. It is no longer ordinary milk powder, but a fortified milk powder. Its nutritional content is more abundant than ordinary milk powder or milk, and it is more suitable for pregnant women.

　　In order to meet the needs of fetal development, protein should be increased by 5 grams, 15 grams and 20 grams per day in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy, so that the total protein intake can reach 70 grams, 80 grams and 85 grams (Light manual worker). The pregnant woman''s milk powder has higher protein content (22.5%) and lower fat (10%), and is suitable for protein supplementation. 40g (2 cups) of this kind of milk powder can provide 9g of high-quality protein (more whey protein) per day, only 4g of fat. In addition to 2 cups of milk powder for pregnant women, pregnant women should also increase the intake of high-protein foods such as meat, fish, shrimp, eggs and soy products.

　　Folic acid not only prevents fetal neural tube defects, but also promotes fetal intelligence development. Pregnant women should pay attention to increasing the intake of folic acid from the beginning of pregnancy, 400 ~ 600 micrograms per day. Milk powder for pregnant women is fortified with folic acid. 40 grams (2 cups) of this kind of milk powder can provide 250 micrograms of folic acid, while the content of folic acid in ordinary milk powder or milk is very low. Other foods rich in folic acid are green leafy vegetables.

　　Iron is also one of the nutrients that pregnant women are most likely to lack. Iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women is very common. It is generally recommended to take 25 and 35 mg of iron daily during the second and third trimesters, which is an increase of 5 and 15 mg, respectively, compared to when not pregnant. 40 grams (2 cups) of this kind of milk powder can provide about 5 mg of iron, while the iron content in ordinary milk powder or milk is very low. Other foods rich in iron are meat and fish and shrimp.

　　DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is very important for fetal brain and vision development. 40 grams (2 cups) of this milk powder can provide 16 mg of DHA, while ordinary milk powder or milk contains almost no DHA. Other foods rich in DHA are fish, shrimp, egg yolk and so on.

　　 Constipation is a common problem encountered by pregnant women. To this end, inulin is added to the milk powder. The main component of inulin is fructooligosaccharide, which is one of the most common oligosaccharides. Oligosaccharides are also regarded as water-soluble dietary fiber. Its main function is to adjust the intestinal flora, promote the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestine, inhibit harmful bacteria, and thus promote bowel movements and relieve constipation. 40 grams (2 cups) of this milk powder can provide 235 mg of oligosaccharides. The content of oligofructose in daily food is basically zero.

　　Pregnant women’s milk powder focuses on supplementing or solving common nutritional deficiencies during pregnancy, while also providing comprehensive basic nutrients, which is one of the recommended foods during pregnancy.