Pregnancy Diet - How To Eat A Healthy Diet During Pregnancy
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?
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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
less likely you are to overeat.
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Article by Beverley Brooke
Visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com to learn more about
pregnancy diet
