Poor consumption of balanced diet could result in poor weight gain during pregnancy increasing the risk of premature delivery, low birth weight, and birth defects. To assess the nutritional status and dietary intake of pregnant women in rural areas of Vhembe district. A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out among 240pregnant women who were selected conveniently from 16 clinics in Vhembe District. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Anthropometric measurements were measured following standard techniques. Data on dietary intake were collected using Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Permission and clearance were obtained and participant’s rights were respected. Majority (78%) had secondary educational level while 19.5% had tertiary educational level. The mean energy and carbohydrate intake was 2248 Kcal and 372.1 g, respectively. Prevalence of underweight, overweight and obese using BMI was 16.3%, 24.2%, and 8.7% respectively. Dietary intake of the study participants showed that the intake of energy, fats, carbohydrates and vitamin C met the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) values. The mean intake of protein was 30.2 ± 18.2 g. However, micronutrients like zinc, iron, magnesium, calcium including Vitamin A, B1 and B2 did not meet the RDA values in the current study. Despite government’s programs to ensure adequate consumption of micronutrients and proper weight gain during pregnancy, malnutrition and insufficient consumption of micronutrients remains a major public health problem in South Africa. Improving nutritional status during pregnancy should follow an integrated approach tackling both malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies at the same time considering the behavioral approach which will improve child survival and maternal health.

均衡饮食的摄入不足会导致怀孕期间体重增加不佳，从而增加早产，低出生体重和出生缺陷的风险。评估Vhembe地区农村地区孕妇的营养状况和饮食摄入。横断面描述性研究在240名怀孕妇女中进行，这些妇女从Vhembe区的16个诊所中方便地选出。由访调员管理的调查表用于数据收集。人体测量法按照标准技术进行测量。使用食物频率问卷（FFQ）收集饮食摄入数据。获得许可和许可，并尊重参与者的权利。多数（78％）具有中等教育水平，而19.5％具有高等教育。平均能量摄入和碳水化合物摄入分别为2248 Kcal和372.1 g。使用BMI的体重不足，超重和肥胖患病率分别为16.3％，24.2％和8.7％。研究参与者的饮食摄入量表明，能量，脂肪，碳水化合物和维生素C的摄入量符合建议的饮食津贴（RDA）值。蛋白质的平均摄入量为30.2±18.2克。但是，微量元素如锌，铁，镁，钙（包括维生素A，B1和B2）在当前研究中不符合RDA值。尽管政府制定了确保微量营养素摄入充足并在怀孕期间适当增加体重的计划，但营养不良和微量营养素摄入不足仍然是南非的主要公共卫生问题。