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You are here: Home / Life Stages / Women 
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Life Stages

Three generations of women
On this page find resources and information on good nutrition for women in general, and also for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
General Resources
Finding Your Way to a Healthier You
US Department of Health and Human Services; US Department of Agriculture.
Based on the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, this teaches you how to make smart food choices, and balance food and physical activity to increase chances for a healthy life. Also in PDF|220 KB.
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USDA MyPyramid Food Guidance System
USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
The MyPyramid food guidance system replaces the original Food Guide Pyramid. It can help you choose the foods and amounts that are right for you.
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A Healthy Diet from womenshealth.gov
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Having a healthy diet is sometimes easier said than done. This fact sheet provides answers to frequently asked questions on the basics of good nutrition and healthy eating. Also in PDF|220 KB.
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SmallStep.gov
Department of Health and Human Services.
Stories, newsletter, tips and recipes geared to helping people learn how small changes in their lifestyle and eating habits can produce big results. Includes websites for adults and for kids. Also in Spanish.
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Eat Smart. Play Hard.™ Healthy Lifestyle
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Provides information on making quick, easy, healthy meals and gives tips for adding physical activity to your lifestyle. Site is specifically designed for parents and caregivers, but provides helpful information for all adults.
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Quick Tips: Variety, Balance, and Moderation
DHHS. CDC. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion.
Practical tips on healthy eating, including the importance of variety, balance, and moderation.
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A Lifetime of Good Health: Your Guide to Staying Healthy
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
For women, a guide to healthy behaviors to prevent and manage health conditions over the lifespan. Outlines key preventive steps for achieving lifelong health. Also in Spanish (PDF|1.8 MB) and Chinese (PDF|1.8 MB).
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Sisters Together logoSisters Together: Move More, Eat Better
DHHS. NIH. NIDDK. Weight-control Information Network.
Provides background information for the Sisters Together initiative, designed to encourage African American women to be physically active and eat healthier foods. Also provides links to other Sisters Together publications.
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Eating Smart: A Nutrition Resource List for Consumers  (PDF|138 KB)
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
This publication is a compilation of resources on general nutrition and healthy eating for the consumer. Resources are in a variety of formats, including books, newsletters, and materials on the World Wide Web.
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Staying Active and Eating Healthy
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Tips for women on healthy eating and physical activity from the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports.
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Weight-control Information Network
DHHS. NIDDK. Weight-control Information Network.
Provides a gateway to information and resources on overweight, obesity, weight control and nutrition. Some publications available in Spanish.
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Interactive Tools
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Links to web sites that allow consumers to enter information and receive individual feedback to help with diet evaluation and planning, checking personal health risks and testing knowledge.
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Woman taking folic acidFolic Acid
DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Provides information on folic acid (folate) and explains the importance of adequate intake, especially for pregnant women or women of child bearing age. Offers additional resources and publications. Also in Spanish.
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Anemia - Frequently Asked Questions
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Anemia can be of special concern to women. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of anemia, and what you can do to prevent or treat it. Also in PDF|68 KB.
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Do CAM Therapies Help Menopausal Symptoms?
DHHS. NIH. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Fact sheet based on findings from a 2005 National Institutes of Health (NIH) State-of-the-Science (SoS) conference on the management of menopause-related symptoms. It answers some frequently asked questions and lists resources for more information. Also in PDF|347 KB.
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Questions and Answers About Black Cohosh and the Symptoms of Menopause
DHHS. NIH. Office of Dietary Supplements.
Provides answers to common questions about the use of black cohosh for treatment of menopausal symptoms.
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For Your Heart!
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Based on answers to questions, this site provides women with information on nutrition, exercise, cholesterol, blood pressure and other factors related to heart health.
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The DASH Eating Plan
DHHS. NIH. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
Links to a brochure that discusses the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan which can lead to better control of high blood pressure.
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Red Dress - Heart Truth CampaignThe Heart Truth
DHHS. NIH. National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
A national awareness campaign for women about heart disease. Also in Spanish.
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Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases ~ National Resource Center
DHHS. NIH. NIAMS. Osteoporosis and Related Bone Diseases - National Resource Center.
Provides a gateway to general information, fact sheets, research and links to other important osteoporosis information.
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The Low-Down on Osteoporosis: What We Know and What We Don't
DHHS. National Institutes of Health.
NIH Word On Health article that clears up some common myths about osteoporosis.
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Anorexia Nervosa
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about anorexia. Also links to information on bulimia and binge eating disorder, and to other organizations for more resources on eating disorders. Also in PDF|200 KB.
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Healthy Women Build Healthy Communities Toolkit
DHHS. Health Resources and Services Administration.
A toolkit from the Bright Futures for Women�s Health and Wellness (BFWHW) Initiative for women who want to improve the health of their communities. Resources to help women take action to help people be more physically active and eat healthier. Also in PDF|3.8 MB.
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Pregnancy
MyPyramid for MomsMyPyramid for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
A MyPyramid web site designed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers provides interactive guidance.
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What to Eat While Pregnant
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Answers frequently asked questions related to eating during pregnancy.
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Having a Healthy Pregnancy: ABC's...Pregnancy Tips (A-Z)
DHHS. CDC. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
Not all birth defects can be prevented, but a woman can take some actions, including diet changes, that increase her chance of having a healthy baby.
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Pregnant womanFit for Two: Tips for Pregnancy
DHHS. NIH. NIDDK. Weight-control Information Network.
Eating well can help you have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy newborn. Find ideas and tips to improve your eating plan and become more physically active before, during, and after your pregnancy. Also in PDF|9 MB.
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MedlinePlus: Pregnancy
DHHS. NIH. National Library of Medicine.
Provides links to information, news, and resources related to pregnancy, including nutrition and diet-related information. Also in Spanish.
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Pregnancy and Body Image
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
For some women, body image is a huge concern, especially during pregnancy. Here are some ideas to help you love and accept your pregnant body.
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Food and Nutrition Information Center LogoLifecycle Nutrition: Pregnancy ~ FNIC
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Provides links to a variety of resources on pregnancy and maternal health.
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Nutrition During Pregnancy Resource List for Consumers  (PDF|142 KB)
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Collection of resources on the topic of nutrition during pregnancy for consumers. Resources include books, pamphlets and audiovisuals and are limited to those published in 2000 or later.
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Food Safety for Moms-To-Be
FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Food safety information and guidance for before, during and after pregnancy.
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What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
DHHS. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; Environmental Protection Agency.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children, provides answers to frequently asked questions about the benefits of eating fish and shellfish, and gives recommendations for avoiding excessive exposure to mercury in fish and shellfish. Also in PDF|233 KB and in Spanish (PDF|235 KB).
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Folic Acid
DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Provides information on folic acid (folate) and explains the importance of adequate intake, especially for pregnant women or women of child bearing age. Offers additional resources and publications. Also in Spanish.
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Diabetes and Pregnancy
DHHS. CDC. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
Provides answers to frequently asked questions about diabetes and pregnancy.
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Managing Gestational Diabetes: A Patient's Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy
DHHS. NIH. National Institute of Child Health & Human Development.
Provides general guidelines for keeping healthy and promoting the best outcomes for the baby. Describes gestational diabetes, its causes and its features, and includes a general treatment plan to help control the condition.
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Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
DHHS. CDC. National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities.
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause the baby to be born with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, a lifelong condition that causes physical and mental disabilities. Find out more from CDC.
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WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
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WIC Program Fact Sheet  (PDF|26 KB)
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Find out more about the WIC Program. Also in Spanish (PDF|26 KB).
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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Overseas Program
Department of Defense.
Provides general information on the WIC program and how it works overseas, as well as information on eligibility requirements.
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Maternal and Child Health Bureau
DHHS. HRSA. Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
Promotes optimal health and quality health care for mothers and children in the United States.
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Woman who is pregnantPregnant? Don't Drink Alcohol
DHHS. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
How much do you or your friends know about drinking alcohol during pregnancy? Find out why you should not drink alcohol during pregnancy.
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Breastfeeding
MyPyramid for MomsMyPyramid for Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
USDA. Center for Nutrition Policy and Promotion.
A MyPyramid web site designed specifically for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers provides interactive guidance.
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Breastfeeding - Best for Baby. Best for Mom.
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Provides practical, helpful breastfeeding information to help mothers learn about the benefits and challenges of breastfeeding, and gives the phone number for the Center's Breastfeeding Helpline. Also in PDF|780 KB and in Spanish.
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An Easy Guide to Breastfeeding
DHHS. OWH. National Women's Health Information Center.
Provides information and encouragement to women on breastfeeding. It explains the benefits for baby, mom and society, and also answers frequently asked questions about breastfeeding. Also in Spanish (PDF|640 KB) and Chinese (PDF|1.4 MB).
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Mother breastfeeding babyMedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Breastfeeding
DHHS. NIH. National Library of Medicine.
Information from the MedlinePlus Encyclopedia related to breastfeeding, including recommendations, possible problems, and additional resources including a breastfeeding tips page. Also in Spanish.
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Lifecycle Nutrition: Breastfeeding ~ FNIC
USDA. NAL. Food and Nutrition Information Center.
Provides links to resources on breastfeeding and infant nutrition.
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Breastfeeding Promotion and Support in WIC
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Gateway to information on the benefits of breastfeeding as well as links to information on federal requirements for breastfeeding, the Fathers Supporting Breastfeeding program, and the Breastfeeding Promotion Consortium. Also in Spanish.
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Loving Support Makes Breastfeeding Work
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
USDA's WIC Breastfeeding Promotion Campaign which is national in scope and being implemented at the State agency level.
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Man and babyFathers Supporting Breastfeeding
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Provides access to materials to help fathers learn how to support breastfeeding mothers.
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WIC - Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children
USDA. Food and Nutrition Service.
Program serves to safeguard the health of low-income women, infants, & children up to age 5 who are at nutritional risk by providing nutritious foods to supplement diets, information on healthy eating, and referrals to health care.
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Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Overseas Program
Department of Defense.
Provides general information on the WIC program and how it works overseas, as well as information on eligibility requirements.
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What You Need to Know About Mercury in Fish and Shellfish
DHHS. FDA. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition; Environmental Protection Agency.
For pregnant or breastfeeding women and young children, provides answers to frequently asked questions about the benefits of eating fish and shellfish, and gives recommendations for avoiding excessive exposure to mercury in fish and shellfish. Also in PDF|233 KB and in Spanish (PDF|235 KB).
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Last Modified: Aug 4, 2008  
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