Final answer:
To increase zinc intake during pregnancy, the nurse should recommend eating shellfish, as they are high in zinc and aid in protein metabolism and fetal development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse should suggest that the pregnant patient include shellfish in her diet to increase her intake of zinc. Shellfish are high in zinc, which is critical for protein metabolism and overall fetal development during pregnancy. Other zinc-rich foods include organ meats, nuts, legumes, and enriched breads and cereals. While options such as yogurt, bananas, and cabbage are nutritious, they do not contain as much zinc as shellfish.