subject: Weight Gain During Pregnancy – Exposing The Myths [print this page] Some mothers-to-be are under the impression that when pregnant, she must be 'eating for two' and that this is a time where thoughts of eating in moderation and other weight maintenance issues are out of the window. However, this is largely down to the common myth that weight gain during pregnancy should be extreme, where in fact, there should only be a small weight gain other than that of the baby, placenta and additional fluids.
Pregnancy is a time for joy and excited anticipation so feeling like a beached whale shouldn't have to feature until the very end! It is a common misconception that pregnant women should eat considerably greater amounts of food to enable sufficient sustenance for the foetus, however, the daily calorie increase necessary is actually not that much at all.
Average daily calorie intake for women is around 1950 calories per day and during the first trimester of pregnancy, this should only increase by around 200 calories. The second trimester should be around the same as the first and it is only in the third trimester that a more significant increase of around 350 calories should be present, but even this is not particularly excessive.
Due to these moderate increases in energy intake, weight gain during pregnancy should not be vast and visible body enlargement should only be in the tummy area. In order to actually conceive, a female has to be at a healthy weight and therefore will already have stores of energy and nutrients in the body. The slight increase in food will simply supplement existing nutrient stores and the normal daily diet.
However, there are some individuals who will gain more weight in pregnancy due to lifestyle factors and increased fluid retention. In order to minimize this, it is desirable to keep as active as possible during pregnancy. If done sensibly this can also reduce the chances of a breeched birth as well as keep the body and mind alert. Keep an eye on salt levels and avoid adding additional salt to prepared food to prevent too much fluid retention.
It is normal to have the odd craving during pregnancy and there is no harm in satisfying those cravings (within reason). In most cases this does not occur throughout the pregnancy and should therefore not interfere with daily eating habits. For good nutrition during pregnancy, try to get a wide range of foods with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and healthy snacking foods.
Although it is natural to put on weight during pregnancy, you will find that by keeping to the recommended moderate increases in the diet, you will have a much more comfortable and enjoyable pregnancy.
Weight Gain During Pregnancy Exposing The Myths
By: Nick G
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