Weight gain is normal for expecting moms. As the baby grows inside the womb, the mom tends to get bigger and heavier as well. A pregnant woman’s appetite can be hard to curb as well due to her many cravings and need for various important nutrients.
Would-be moms though would do well to distinguish healthy pregnancy weight gain from an unhealthy one. Women who become overweight or obese during pregnancy are more likely to develop diabetes which can cause complications for both mother and child. Overweight expecting moms are also at greater risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy and a condition called pre-eclampsia which can have negative effects on the flow of blood through the placenta. Because of this condition, your baby will get insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients which can restrict his or her growth.
Achieving And Maintaining A Healthy Weight During Pregnancy
To have a healthy weight during pregnancy, follow the tips below:
Eat more healthy foods
Begin by replacing foods that you love eating that contain nutritionally empty calories with ones that pack the most nutritional punch. Most nutritious foods tend to fill you up faster and keep you full longer than junk foods and as such, you’ll consume fewer calories without even trying. In addition, you’ll be feeding your baby better during the process.
Watch your food servings
Would-be moms though would do well to distinguish healthy pregnancy weight gain from an unhealthy one. Women who become overweight or obese during pregnancy are more likely to develop diabetes which can cause complications for both mother and child. Overweight expecting moms are also at greater risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy and a condition called pre-eclampsia which can have negative effects on the flow of blood through the placenta. Because of this condition, your baby will get insufficient amounts of oxygen and nutrients which can restrict his or her growth.
Achieving And Maintaining A Healthy Weight During Pregnancy
To have a healthy weight during pregnancy, follow the tips below:
Eat more healthy foods
Begin by replacing foods that you love eating that contain nutritionally empty calories with ones that pack the most nutritional punch. Most nutritious foods tend to fill you up faster and keep you full longer than junk foods and as such, you’ll consume fewer calories without even trying. In addition, you’ll be feeding your baby better during the process.
Watch your food servings
Even though you’re eating for two, you will need to reduce your food servings during meal times and in between. Keep in mind that too many calories, no matter where they come from, can add up to too many pounds. Because of this, you will have to start scrutinizing those serving sizes and portions, bearing in mind that the extra value in “extra value meals” means extra calories too. You can make an exception though for foods that can fill up your belly and your baby’s nutritional requirements while adding insignificant calories such as fruits and vegetables.
Avoid unhealthy fat
The most concentrated source of calories is still fat. Unfortunately, fat, such as white sugar has a way of hiding in just about any type of food, both the unhealthy and seemingly healthy ones. To maintain a healthy pregnancy weight, cut back on the fat you eat. Keep it to one to two servings max and preferably from unsaturated sources, but don’t cut it out altogether. You and your baby also need healthy fatty acids as well.
Be physically active
Lastly, if you have been allowed by your specialist to work out, get moving. Regular cardio workouts will help you stick to your weight-gain target. Just make sure your doctor knows what kind of exercises you’re doing and that they are safe for you to do.
By Andrea Harrison, a gynaecologist, with additional resource info about pregnancy weight gain from the website of Simi Mama Arabia.
Avoid unhealthy fat
The most concentrated source of calories is still fat. Unfortunately, fat, such as white sugar has a way of hiding in just about any type of food, both the unhealthy and seemingly healthy ones. To maintain a healthy pregnancy weight, cut back on the fat you eat. Keep it to one to two servings max and preferably from unsaturated sources, but don’t cut it out altogether. You and your baby also need healthy fatty acids as well.
Be physically active
Lastly, if you have been allowed by your specialist to work out, get moving. Regular cardio workouts will help you stick to your weight-gain target. Just make sure your doctor knows what kind of exercises you’re doing and that they are safe for you to do.
By Andrea Harrison, a gynaecologist, with additional resource info about pregnancy weight gain from the website of Simi Mama Arabia.
