The Public Health Dietitians Group (PHDG) has launched a new video series on its YouTube channel ‘Public Health Dietitians’ with expert advice on how to eat well during pregnancy.

The series aims to give guidance to expecting mums and those planning a pregnancy, on how to make healthier food choices, foods to avoid, vitamin supplements to consider and managing pregnancy symptoms. There is also guidance on how to eat well after having a baby and tips for breastfeeding.

The Public Health Dietitians channel is a partnership between the PHDG Northern Ireland and the Public Health Agency (PHA) and can be found at www.pha.site/public-health-dietitians-youtube.

Jill Stewart, Public Health Dietitian with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said: “We are really proud and excited to launch a new pregnancy-focused video series on the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel where we provide high-quality, reliable and easily-accessible information, and we hope new mums and those planning a pregnancy will find these tips useful.

“The PHDG is made up of registered nutritionists and dietitians who are qualified health professionals using the most up-to-date public health and scientific research on food, health and disease to promote health and prevent nutrition-related diseases. We are passionate about providing the public with expert nutrition information they can trust. We hope mums will benefit from the series and learn more about how they can make healthier choices during and after pregnancy.”

Dr Hannah McCourt, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer with PHA added: “Finding out you are having a baby can be a really exciting time, but it’s also completely normal to feel nervous as well. We are delighted to support the PHDG as they work to equip people to make more informed food and nutrition choices to help improve their health, including new mums and those who are thinking about planning for a baby. This series is a great way to show mums how they can make healthier choices during pregnancy and beyond – and it’s not just for the mums.

“The new video series is a great resource for dads, partners, grandparents and the wider friends and family circle who can provide essential support for expectant and new mums. The more knowledge we all have can help create an environment where both mum and baby thrive.

“The PHDG YouTube channel, funded by the PHA, shares lots of useful tips on managing pregnancy symptoms, foods to avoid and the types of vitamins you should consider.”

The new series is available now on the Public Health Dietitians YouTube channel which is free and available to access at any time. Subscribe on YouTube at www.pha.site/public-health-dietitians-youtube.

The PHDG is a group of registered dietitians, nutritionists and support staff who work across Health and Social Care Trusts in Northern Ireland, funded by the PHA.