Diet During Plus Size Pregnancy
- The ideal weight gain for a plus size pregnant woman is usually no more than 15 pounds, depending on how overweight the mother is. Check with your doctor for her recommendation on how much weight you should aim to gain. She will probably tell you to eat around 200 to 300 extra calories per day. Again, discuss this with your doctor for her specific recommendations for you.
You should never try to diet while pregnant. Eat healthy and get moderate exercise and allow your body to gain weight naturally. You are growing a little person inside you that needs calories and nutrition to develop into a healthy baby. - Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, low fat dairy products, eggs, whole grains and nuts or seeds. Eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. Try to eat fruits and vegetables of different colors, since the color of the produce usually indicates the main type of nutrients the produce contains.
Aim to eat five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Make sure you are getting at least 60 grams of protein per day. Protein is essential to developing fetuses. Good sources of protein are lean meat, fish, eggs, low fat dairy, beans, nuts and seeds. - Since you aren't trying to gain too much weight, be sure to use sugars very sparingly. Try to eat a plant-based diet. When you eat meat, eat lean meats such as poultry and fish, just make sure the fish you choose is a low mercury risk.
If you stick with healthy fruits and vegetables for snacks, you will be better able to keep your weight gain on track. When you eat carbohydrates, try to get at least half of your carbohydrates from whole grain foods. This is healthier for you and your baby and will help you control your weight. - Drink plenty of water---eight glasses of water at minimum each day. Drinking water helps keep you hydrated, will help you produce the appropriate amounts of amniotic fluid and can help reduce swelling. You will notice greater fatigue during pregnancy if you don't drink enough liquids. You can also drink low-fat milk. Try not to drink too much juice as it has mostly empty calories and will cause unnecessary weight gain. When you do drink juice, try diluting it with water.
Any pregnant woman should be eating healthy during pregnancy. This provides both your body and your baby with the appropriate nutrition. You should also take a prenatal multivitamin. You can either ask your doctor for a prescription or you can buy one over the counter. - There is a theory that if you avoid eating nuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you reduce your child's chance of developing a nut allergy. This isn't proven, so talk to your doctor to decide what works best for you.
- Plus size women may especially want to consult with a nutritionist or registered dietitian to get a custom diet plan during pregnancy. A nutritionist can make up a plan of what you should eat and how many servings of each type of food you should have each day. This will help you get the necessary nutrients and also stay on track with your weight gain.
Add in exercise a few times a week, and you will help make yourself and your baby healthier during your pregnancy. Eating healthy and exercising throughout pregnancy may also help you lose some of the baby weight faster after you have given birth.
Make sure that you are comfortable with your doctor. If she isn't comfortable with you having a baby at your current weight, talk to other doctors. Many overweight women have safely had babies and their doctors have been supportive of them.
