Women are often led to believe that pregnancy is a free pass to eat whatever they want and pack on the pounds. Although it’s important to increase your calorie intake to support your growing baby, you should also be careful about your weight and diet to prevent excessive pregnancy weight gain. Being overweight during pregnancy can be uncomfortable and lead to health problems for both you and your baby. Plus, carrying around extra weight can make you feel self-conscious and unattractive.
Every woman’s weight fluctuates differently, so it is hard to maintain a good weight. You have to watch your weight during pregnancy to prevent any weight problems. Gaining weight during pregnancy is normal, but you should always follow the recommended weight gain by your health provider. This is to prevent any unnecessary pregnancy weight gain. For overweight women, the recommended weight gain is 15–25 pounds. For underweight women, the recommended weight gain is 28–40 pounds. If you had a normal weight before pregnancy, you will still need to gain weight.
To avoid gaining too much weight during pregnancy, here are some tips you can follow:
Junk food is one of the main causes of excess pregnancy weight gain. When you’re pregnant, you need to be extra careful about the foods you eat to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you and your baby need. Although it may be tempting to reach for sugary or fatty snacks, remember that these foods will only add empty calories to your diet. Instead, focus on eating healthy, whole foods like wholegrain bread, milk, and low-fat yogurt to help you maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy.
Pregnant women should drink eight to ten cups of water per day to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water can also help to prevent excessive pregnancy weight gain by boosting metabolism.
Eating a well-balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your health, especially during pregnancy. Your health provider should advise you on the right diet to maintain your health and prevent excessive pregnancy weight gain. You may be recommended to increase your intake of folic acid, iron, and other minerals and vitamins needed for pregnant women. Stay away from processed foods and concentrate on healthy nutritious foods like fruits, vegetables, meat, and fish. It is important that you eat different kinds of healthy foods to get all the vitamins and nutrients you need for a healthy pregnancy.
Addressing the importance of physical activity for pregnant women, it’s crucial to find an exercise routine that is safe for both you and your baby. You don’t have to completely give up your active lifestyle, but rather find activities that are pregnancy-friendly. Regular physical activity will help you stay fit and prevent excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
Staying in shape during pregnancy isn’t just about how you look—although of course that’s a great perk. Carrying extra weight can put strain on your back and legs, and make it harder to breathe (not to mention make those cute pregnancy clothes harder to wear). Most importantly, being overweight during pregnancy can lead to problems like preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and cesarean delivery.
