Final answer:
A well-understood recommended diet for a pregnant woman includes essential nutrients like folate, an additional 300 calories during the second and third trimesters, and the avoidance of foods that could harm the fetus, such as those containing high levels of mercury or risk of Listeria infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
A lunch menu that indicates a woman's understanding of a recommended diet for a pregnant woman includes foods rich in nutrients, such as folate, and is mindful of the additional caloric and nutritional needs during pregnancy. It is important to debunk the myth that pregnant women need to eat double their pre-pregnancy caloric intake. The reality is that, while nutrient needs increase, during the second and third trimesters a woman only needs to consume an additional 300 calories per day.
The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine recommends that all women who might become pregnant consume at least 400 µg/day of folate to support fetal development. Listeria infection and high mercury content in foods like swordfish are of particular concern during pregnancy, so such items should be avoided to protect both the mother's and the fetus's health. These precautions are necessary due to changes in the immune system and the risks of bioaccumulation of mercury in seafood.
Pregnancy discrimination is prohibited in the workplace, ensuring that women who are planning to get pregnant or returning to work post-pregnancy are protected and supported in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.