The good news of having a baby brings along a wave of excitement, which might fade when pregnant ladies are overwhelmed with concerns about healthy eating and appropriate weight gain. Today and on the next mommy-monday we will look at appropriate weight gain and the basic guidelines of a balanced diet during pregnancy.
Why do we need the extra nutrients during pregnancy?
• Actual baby and the placenta needs to be built (new tissue to be formed)
• Increased amount of blood within the body needs to be made
• To supply sufficient reserves for energy used during lactation
Nutrient requirements do not increase much in the first and second trimester. If the food choices you make from the beginning (or even before pregnancy) are healthy, balanced and include all food groups, you won't need major changes in your diet.
Certain cases need extra attention:
- Multiple pregnancies ( twins or triplets)
- Teenage Pregnancies
- Pregnancies that are spaced <18 months from each other
- Vegetarian mothers
-Food allergies in the mother
-Medical problems (diabetic mother prior to pregnancy, gestational diabetes or hypertensive mothers)
-Anemic maothers
-Underweight or Overweight prior to pregnancy
Weight gain during pregnancy:
The first step will be to determine your weight classification according to the BMI (body mass index) prior to your pregnancy.
Calculate your BMI: Weight (in kg) / (Height in meters)²
The BMI calculated above will guide you within the following classifications:
1. Underweight BMI <19.8
2. Normal weight BMI 19.8 - 26
3. Overweight BMI 26-29
4. Obese BMI > 29
NOW: see the amount of weight to be gained for your body mass:
Making minor changes in your diet and not literaaly eating for two, will be the best way of approaching your diet and your body will adapt and gain in an appropriate manner.
As from next week, we look at the basics of a complete and balanced pregnancy diet.
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