Sadly, proper nutrition is often a struggle for low-income mothers, who either cannot afford to eat well or are unaware of how to properly "eat for two."

In Yellowknife, nutrition programs for low-income expectant and breast-feeding moms are available.

The Women's Centre runs a pre-natal nutrition program, which sees about 23 mothers-to-be and new mothers every week. About seven of those mothers are teenagers.

The program is primarily designed to allow mothers an opportunity to gather together and talk about pre- and post-natal matters.

The Women's Centre also provides healthy meals for mothers. "Once a week we have milk, juice and eggs," said Arlene Hache, director of the Women's Centre.

In addition to the pre-natal meal program, the centre offers nutritious lunches to women and their children, support for teenage moms, an advocacy program and a respite care program, as well as milk and diaper services for moms who run out.

A pre-natal program is now in development in Ndilo. It is expected to open by this fall and will likely be partially made up of a cooking component.

"If a mother isn't eating a balanced diet, the baby is not going to grow optimally," said Jill Christensen, regional nutritionist with the GNWT. She also said it is important to maintain healthy eating styles after delivery.

For most women, a weight gain of approximately 11.25 kilograms is considered healthy. Ideally, the weight should be gained on nutritious foods.