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Article Series: Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Everything You Need To Know
Nutrition
and Weight Gain for Pregnant Women
Nutrition
is an essential component of prenatal care, and a healthy diet contributes to a successful pregnancy
and awesome fetal growth. Eat enough food to gain weight at
the rate recommended by your doctor. This usually means adding
about 300 calories to your diet a day. Continue to eat a balanced
diet even if you think you are gaining weight too quickly.
This can be helpful in controlling your morning sickness, too.
Plus, most women gain in spurts. Getting the right amounts
of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients required during pregnancy
are easier to obtain when your diet is varied.
When
you are expecting, don’t skip meals. Even if you don’t think you are hungry, try to eat at regular
times so
your body knows when to expect more energy. Do not stop eating
foods from essential food groups. This can lead to nutrient
deficiencies. Buy foods that are labeled "enriched" or "fortified" or
made of whole grain. Improve iron absorption by including meat,
poultry, fish or vitamin C-rich foods to your meals; this will
also reduce constipation associated with an iron supplement.
Eating right will also help you maintain a healthy weight gain
and make it easier to lose the weight once the baby arrives.
You
should gain around 25-35 pounds if you were normal weight
when you got pregnant. Most doctors recommend increasing your
diet by 300 extra calories a day. Basically adding a snack
or two will be enough to gain the right amount of weight. A
4-6 pound weight gain is normal the first trimester, but many
women lose a few pounds due to morning sickness too. During
the second and third trimester, you will probably gain around
a pound per week, sometimes more and sometimes less. The weight
adds itself in spurts as the baby grows. You probably want
to gain more weight if you started out underweight. You need
some extra padding to be able to maintain your changing frame
and supply the baby with enough nutrients and protection. A
28-40 pound weight gain is considered normal and healthy.
Also, because you probably won’t gain much weight the first
trimester, try to gain about a pound and a half per
week in the second and third trimesters. Adding Ensure or instant breakfast
to your diet can help you gain that extra weight and has plenty
of vitamins and minerals. If you started out overweight than
you probably don’t want to gain more than 15-25 pounds. Whatever
you do don’t diet it isn’t necessary or healthy. You will use
your own fat stores to energize your body, so you might even
find that even though you gained some weight you look slimmer.
Once the baby is born you may find yourself weighing less than
before and have an easier time losing more weight.
Gaining the right amount of weight will make it easier to
shed pounds after delivery and will prepare your body for breastfeeding.
If you're expecting twins, you want to try to gain more weight
to accommodate for more babies. The consensus says between
35-50 pounds is normal. Many women will gain more due to genetics.
If you have bigger babies than gaining more isn't so bad. Your
doctor will monitor your weight and size and keep you informed
on what is good. When eating for a multiple pregnancy, be sure
to consult your doctor on what is best for you as an individual.
Weight restriction may not be a concern as much as healthy
babies with the maximum nutrition at their disposal.
Following the dietary guidelines from your doctor will enable
you to obtain most of the nutrients required during pregnancy;
however, nutritional supplements are often advisable, like
energy bars or instant breakfast. Also, supplemental iron may
irritate the gastrointestinal tract, so you may want to get
a prenatal without iron and just eat more iron enriched foods
instead. If you experience discomfort while using a supplement,
try taking it with food, taking it in the evening or ask your
doctor to recommend another brand. It is important to remember
that supplements do not replace good eating habits. Eating
the right type of foods that agree with you will always be
your best bet and promote a healthy pregnancy and baby.
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SolveYourProblem.com
: 2006
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