Eating During Pregnancy: Tips To Help Keep You From Gaining Too Much Weight

During the next nine months, most expectant mothers are concerned about how much or how little weight to gain, along with eating during pregnancy

. Your pregnancy eating plan can have a profound impact not just on your health and wellbeing, and not just on your baby's nourishment and development, but also on how much extra weight you carry around during the next three trimesters.

Most women realize that gaining too much weight can make labor more difficult and can trigger a number of pregnancy health problems, such as high blood pressure. But gaining too much weight can also make it very difficult to return to your pre-pregnancy weight after giving birth. In this article, we discuss some tips and techniques for controlling your weight gain to a reasonable level during pregnancy.

How Much Is Too Much?

For one generation of moms, gaining any additional weight was forbidden. The next generation of moms was encouraged to eat heavily, hence the term "eating for two." So what is an acceptable amount of weight to gain?

As you might suspect, the truth lies somewhere between these two extremes. Some weight gain is healthy and should be expected during pregnancy. But too much can cause the issues we discussed above. So if you limit your weight gain to between 20 to 30 pounds throughout the next nine months, you should be fine.

Beverages and Pregnancy

One easy way to restrict your weight gain during pregnancy is to stop drinking beverages that contain sugar or artificial sweeteners. Sodas, teas, and coffees should be enjoyed in very limited quantities. You should also restrict the amount of fruit juice you drink, as juice is usually high in sugar as well.

Even though water may seem bland and boring, it should be your drink of choice for the next nine months. Besides being calorie-free and all-natural, water can help you feel fuller for longer between and during meals. Drinking enough water can help combat water retention, which causes "water weight" gain. Water can also help aid in proper elimination, which can help with weight gain issues as well.

Pregnancy and Diet

The most profound ways you can curb your weight gain have to do, not surprisingly, with the food you eat. You should eliminate all processed foods from your diet. These foods contain high levels of sodium, preservatives, fillers, and other additives that can lead to weight gain. In addition, you should eliminate trans-fats and hydrogenated oils from your diet.

Instead, opt for fresh, whole, organic foods and healthy fat sources. Focus on fats such as organic butter, olive oil, and coconut oil as well as raw organic nuts, raw organic nut butters, and avocadoes. These healthy fats will help you feel satiated between meals and that will help control the urge to overeat.

The Importance of Exercise during Pregnancy

Even when you feel like it the leastsuch as your last trimesteryou need to make exercise a priority during your pregnancy. Exercise will help keep you lean and fit for labor, will help you burn additional calories, and will even aid in stress reduction and combating sleep issues. Go for low or no impact forms of exercise such as yoga, water aerobics, swimming, and walking. Have fun with itexercise with a buddy or find a prenatal class that challenges you and allows you to enjoy yourself.

Stress Reduction Techniques

Keeping stress at bay by using stress reduction techniques can help keep you from overeating or indulging in rich or fatty foods. Yoga and exercise may work well for you. Other expectant moms find that journaling or keeping in touch with friends can help ease the stress of pregnancy. You can also schedule a manicure/pedicure and a prenatal massage as a wonderful way to soothe stress during pregnancy. Find the ways to reduce turmoil in your life and you'll be less tempted to overeat.

by: Isabel De Los Rios

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