Weight Loss Diets

Diets During Pregnancy

Your diet before pregnancy and while you are pregnant should contain the vitamins and nutrients that your body will need to help your baby develop and grow the way he or she should. Practice healthy eating and take a multivitamin each and every day. Start this good habit before you become pregnant and continue eating healthy and taking a prenatal multivitamin throughout your pregnancy. If you need help choosing healthy foods or have questions about how to improve your diet for your future baby, ask a health professional at your doctor’s office or at a local clinic.

Good nutrition is essential during pregnancy. Accept the inevitable weight gain that occurs during pregnancy, this isn't a time to diet or be nutritionally stingy. You may notice wild fluctuations in blood sugar, so try to eat at regular intervals and not go more than a couple of hours without a small meal. In the first trimester you may be limited in what you can tolerate, and formerly appealing things may make you feel sick, but this is usually restricted to the first three or four months. You may experience an increase in appetite, including nearly uncontrollable cravings for carbohydrates. This does not signify weakness or gluttony on your part; let the hormones do their work and get a balanced diet as best you can.

Your appetite will probably increase to ensure that you eat enough for you and your baby. This doesn't mean you need to eat twice as much! Your energy requirements will only increase by approximately 15% (500 calories per day). You have a very important and responsible role to play in pregnancy. As the only source of nourishment for your baby, you are the only one who can ensure that he or she receives all of the nutrients needed to grow and thrive. Make sure you eat a varied diet from a range of different foods. If you eat lot's of fresh fruit, vegetables, wholegrain cereals, fish, chicken and low fat dairy products, you should be able to meet your baby's needs

Don't take any medication or supplements during pregnancy or breastfeeding other than a good-quality whey protein and a multivitamin (your doctor may recommend additional vitamin or mineral supplementation).

Reminders for a healthy diet:
Eat a wide variety of nutritious foods
Choose vegetable rather than animal fats
Ensure you have a good intake of calcium
Eat plenty of salad, vegetables and fruit (preferably raw)
Be sensible about sweet and fatty foods
Drink water and fruit juices to keep up your fluid intake
Drink tea and coffee alternatives such as herbal tea and decafinated coffee
Take adequate daily exercise (low impact)

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