Expecting mothers shun vegies: study

Expectant mothers are shunning their vegies, but still believe they're eating well, says an Adelaide university study.

Fewer than 10 per cent of pregnant women eat enough vegetables, grains and lean meats, according to research by the University of Adelaide.

"The results are rather alarming - we were expecting to see at least some pregnant women correctly following the guidelines across all food groups, but there were none," said researcher Dr Lenka Malek.

Of the 850 women studied, fewer than a third ate enough dairy, but more than half met the recommended fruit intake.

"Women who were born overseas and who were less physically active before pregnancy were less likely to keep to the daily fruit and dairy recommendations," Dr Malek said.

"And women living in metropolitan areas were less likely to meet the daily intake of vegetables."

Dr Malek also said more research was needed to explain why some expecting mothers failed to meet basic nutritional standards.