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In short, no \u2014 restrictive dieting is not safe when pregnant. While many of us can be tempted to eat less while pregnant to limit overall weight gain, this strategy can be very dangerous for you and your baby’s health. Instead, it’s best to eat a healthy balance of foods to provide your baby and your body with the nutrients they need.<\/p>\n
Morning sickness and a lack of appetite in the first trimester are common due to several factors, including fatigue, blood pressure fluctuations and hormonal changes. As a result, your hunger can increase in the second and third trimesters, leading to cravings and mindless eating.<\/p>\n
Psychological and behavioral changes caused by increased hormones \u2014 specifically estrogen and progesterone \u2014 can affect tastebuds. You may randomly crave foods you usually dislike or find your favorite foods repulsive. You may even have a frequent sour or metallic taste in your mouth, even if you haven’t eaten anything for a while.<\/p>\n
The way your baby is positioned can also impact your hunger. For example, the baby can put more weight on your stomach and make you feel full.<\/p>\n
While it’s a good idea to maintain a healthy weight during pregnancy, you should not go on a diet if pregnant. Remember that some weight gain is normal with pregnancy. Trying to stay at or below your pre-pregnancy weight can lead to complications for you and the baby in the long term, including:<\/p>\n
Nutrition is the building block of life. Eating enough is especially important during pregnancy, as proper nutrition will impact your baby’s growth and development. Even if you are having twins or triplets, the focus should be on the foods you eat \u2014 not necessarily the amount.<\/p>\n
While you may need to increase your calorie intake as your baby grows during the second and third trimesters, the required addition is usually only 400 to 600 calories. Be sure to talk to your doctor about your specific dietary needs.<\/p>\n
Adding nutrient-dense foods to your diet can benefit both you and your baby. Some of the most recommended nutrients to add to your diet include:<\/p>\n
Eating a balanced diet means consuming a variety of food groups. In general, it’s best to stay away from foods high in fat, sugar, caffeine and mercury. Eating too much of these food groups can increase your cholesterol and blood pressure, which can cause complications during pregnancy.<\/p>\n
Most people take a prenatal supplement during pregnancy, which is helpful. Just remember that a supplement is not a meal replacement \u2014 instead, it’s designed to add to the nutrients you consume in your diet. Here are some of the top foods to incorporate into your diet to get the nutrients listed above, especially while pregnant.<\/p>\n
Various fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals. They also offer fiber, which is a key nutrient for combating constipation. Eat at least five portions of your choice of fruit and vegetables daily, whether fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced. Be sure to safely prep your fresh fruits and vegetables by washing them properly before consuming them.<\/p>\n
You can incorporate some of these fruits and vegetables into your diet as a part of your meals or as regular snacks:<\/p>\n
Starchy foods \u2014 or carbohydrates \u2014 are a great source of energy. Carbohydrates contain lots of vitamins and fiber. Eating at least 175 grams of carbohydrates as a part of a balanced daily diet should help you feel full without overeating.<\/p>\n
Bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, oats and cornmeal are all options that should make up a third of your meal. However, it’s best to avoid refined carbohydrates and opt for whole-grain or higher-fiber options.<\/p>\n
Protein is an essential building block in tissue and muscle growth. Experts suggest eating an average of 46 grams of protein daily<\/a> during the first trimester and 71 grams daily during the second and third trimesters.<\/p>\n When choosing meat as your protein source, go for lean options and make sure they are cooked thoroughly. When preparing red meat, cook out the pink and ensure no pink or red juices remain. Undercooked meat can carry parasites or bacteria that can harm you and your baby.<\/p>\n Some familiar sources of protein to lean on during pregnancy include:<\/p>\n Milk, cheese and yogurt contain calcium and other important nutrients for your baby’s growth. Choose low-fat varieties, such as skim or 1% milk. If you are lactose intolerant or prefer not to consume lactose, lean more toward unsweetened, calcium-dense alternatives.<\/p>\n Crash dieting while pregnant can be dangerous for you and your baby. Throughout your pregnancy, you will want to talk to your doctor about maintaining a healthy diet and what foods will be safe for you to eat.<\/p>\n Certain foods can cause complications during and after pregnancy. In general, you should avoid:<\/p>\n Steady weight gain is normal during pregnancy. However, rapid weight gain early on can increase the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood sugar levels.<\/p>\n Maintaining a healthy weight is extremely beneficial for both you and your baby. Discuss with your doctor what a healthy weight would look like for your specific circumstances.<\/p>\n In addition to choosing more whole-food options, here are some ways to stay healthy while you are pregnant.<\/p>\n Proper hydration is more important than ever when you are pregnant. The water in your body will support your growing baby, increasing your blood volume and amniotic fluid. Fluids can also help you better absorb nutrients from the foods you eat and transfer them to your baby.<\/p>\n To stay hydrated while pregnant, be sure to:<\/p>\n A common myth during pregnancy is that all exercise can be harmful to your baby. In reality, staying strong through exercise is extremely beneficial for your body while pregnant. It can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of developmental issues, and ease aches and pains during labor.<\/p>\n Doctors recommend the same amount of exercise during and outside of pregnancy \u2014 30 to 60 minutes, three to five times a week. You can take this slowly, especially if you did not regularly exercise before you became pregnant.<\/p>\n Some of the best forms of exercise while pregnant include:<\/p>\n Envision Imaging is a leader in the radiology industry, paving the way for efficient services and accurate results. You can trust us because of our:<\/p>\n Pregnancy is an exciting moment in life, and you can witness the fruit of your safe eating efforts during regular ultrasound appointments. Envision Imaging offers ultrasound imaging services to help monitor your baby’s growth.<\/p>\n We are proud to serve communities across Colorado. For more information, contact us at a location near you<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
Dairy<\/h3>\n
Pregnancy diets to avoid<\/h2>\n
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Additional methods to stay healthy while pregnant<\/h2>\n
Continue to hydrate<\/h3>\n
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Get mild to moderate exercise<\/h3>\n
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Why trust us?<\/h2>\n
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Schedule an ultrasound with our experts today<\/h2>\n
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