Normal Weight Gain in Pregnancy
Congratulations on your pregnancy and the permission to gain weight! Pregnancy is the only time in your adult life your doctor will be happy you’re gaining weight. But how much weight should you be gaining and what is a normal weight gain during pregnancy?
Only 300 Extra Calories a Day
You may have heard from friends and family that you should be “eating for two”. But this isn’t the case. You’re only supposed to add 300 calories a day and many care providers recommend eating your normal number of calories during the first trimester and taking in that 300 extra calories in the second and third trimesters. That’s how many calories in a bagel or 2 cups of Cheerios with 1.5 cups of skim milk or 2 small bags of chips, or 2-3 apples (depending on size). So while you shouldn’t be beating yourself up over an extra helping at dinner or getting an occasional milkshake, you also shouldn’t be eating everything you can.
Spread out your Calories
Many people try to control their weight by eating many small snacks through the day and then save their calories for one big meal. If this is you, you may want to change your eating habits for optimal pregnancy nutrition and weight gain. While you’re pregnant you’ll find it’s easier on your stomach and digestive organs to spread out your calories. Eat several small snacks and three medium sized meals through the day. This will cut down on heartburn, nausea and maybe even help with constipation.
What is the Normal Weight Gain in Pregnancy?
For a singleton birth you’re to gain between 20 - 40 pounds over the entire course of your pregnancy. If you were underweight when you became pregnant, you’re supposed to gain 28-40 pounds. If you were overweight (had a body mass index of 25 to 29.9) you’re supposed to gain 11 – 20 pounds. If you’re pregnant with twins, then you should gain 35-50 pounds depending on your pre-pregnancy weight. Of course, always talk to your care provider about how much weight they want to you gain—they can look at your medical history when making that determination.
Pregnancy Nutrition and Weight Gain
So what are you supposed to be eating to maximize your pregnancy nutrition and weight gain? Same thing you’re supposed to be eating anyways—healthy low-fat meats/beans, vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Go with the governments food pyramid found here when determining how much of each food group to eat.
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Disclaimer
The information in this article is not medical advice. This information is not meant to treat, diagnose, prescribe or cure anything during your pregnancy, birth, or postpartum time. Always check with your care provider before following any advice from TheOnlyBabyStop.com.