Even though pregnancy and lactation are normal physiological process, they increase considerably the nutritional requirements of the mother. Due to vomiting and loss of appetite during the early months of pregnancy, the food intake is generally reduced.Further, additional nutrients are required for the growth of fetus. The baby weighing about 3.2 kg at birth will contain about 500 gm protein, 30 g calcium and 0.4 g of iron and varying quantities of different vitamins.The increased nutritional requirements during lactation are due to the milk secreted by mother for feeding the baby.