At what point in the pregnancy process should a woman start eating a healthy, nutritious diet?

• A. Before conception.
• B. At conception.
• C. When the zygote becomes an embryo.
• D. When the embryo becomes a fetus.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that nutrition plays a crucial role in supporting both the mother's health and the developing baby throughout pregnancy.
2. Recognize that many critical developmental processes begin very early, even before a woman knows she is pregnant, such as the formation of the neural tube in the embryo.
3. Learn that starting a healthy, nutritious diet before conception helps ensure that the body has adequate nutrient stores to support early fetal development and reduces the risk of birth defects.
4. Consider that waiting until conception or later stages (zygote, embryo, fetus) to improve diet may miss the critical window when foundational development occurs.
5. Conclude that the best time to start eating a healthy, nutritious diet is before conception to optimize maternal and fetal health outcomes.