Perhaps the number one complaint of women trying to watch
their weight during pregnancy is that they are hungry all
the time. True, pregnancy does result in an increased metabolic
demand on the body, which can cause you to be hungry. Many
women also experience a number of cravings during pregnancy,
which can make healthy eating challenging.
The first thing to remember is that the idea that you should
eat for two is wrong. You only need an additional 300 calories
per day, and generally you don’t need these calories
until you are well on your way to the second and third trimesters.
So what can you do to help manage
your weight and stick to a healthy diet?
Remember that during pregnancy it is vital that you do not
cut back on your caloric intake. This has the potential to
rob your baby of essential nutrients that are necessary for
his/her growth and development. Here are some tips to help
you stick to a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy:
Avoid skipping meals. If you have a habit
of skipping breakfast, you’ll find that you are not
only more fatigued but ravenous during your pregnancy, which
will result in overeating. Be sure that you eat each meal
every day.
Try eating several mini meals throughout the day.
This will not only help you feel fuller longer, it will help
minimize the nausea often experienced during the first trimester.
Satisfy your cravings with nutritious snacks. Have
a variety of healthy things to snack on readily available
so you avoid overindulging in foods that are too decadent.
If you are craving something sweet, consider having some mini
chocolates near by or opt for a cup of hot chocolate. Both
are far better for you than an entire candy bar or piece of
cake.
Exercise during your pregnancy. The act
of exercising in and of itself will be plenty to motivate
you to stick to a healthy diet. You’ll feel better about
yourself and find that you have more energy throughout the
day.
Avoid high calorie beverages. Soda pop (which
isn’t good for you anyway, particularly during pregnancy),
juices and other flavored drinks often contain a good 100-300
calories per serving. Stick to water or flavored water during
your pregnancy.
Drink lots of water. You may think you are
hungry when in fact you are actually thirsty at many points
during your pregnancy. In fact, the brains hunger and thirst
centers often get mixed up, so people often feel hungry when
they are in fact dehydrated. The better hydrated you are,
the les likely you are to overeat.
