Health Tip: Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Three months to a year before you conceive, it's important to begin preparing your body for pregnancy.

The American Pregnancy Association offers these suggestions:

• Get plenty of folic acid by eating lots of leafy green vegetables, citrus fruits, nuts and fortified whole grains. Or take a daily supplement of 400 micrograms.
• Drink at least three eight-ounce glasses of skim milk each day to get enough calcium. Other sources of calcium include: cottage cheese, low-fat yogurt, canned salmon, sardines, rice and cheese.
• Reduce or eliminate caffeine from your diet.
• Eliminate all artificial sweeteners, alcohol, any drugs that are not recommended by your doctor, and cigarettes.
• Take any prenatal vitamins or supplements recommended by your doctor.