dieting during pregnancy is it safe

 

Were you overweight before you became pregnant? Maybe you lost some weight and, now that you're expecting, you're worried about how much you'll gain back. Or maybe the idea of packing on extra lbs -- even for the best of reasons -- just generally freaks you out. You're definitely not alone.

But is it safe to diet while pregnant? Unlike some other potential preggo health concerns and questions -- like is a little caffeine OK or can you take allergy meds -- this one doesn't really fall into a gray area.

Most experts agree that you shouldn't try to lose weight during pregnancy. Your body's hard at work, and you need the proper nutrients to get the baby-making job done. That said, you probably don't need as many extra calories as you might think -- most pregnant women need to consume about 300 more calories per day than they did before becoming pregnant. The trick is making those calories count (ie: fruit and veggies, good; doughnuts and milkshakes, not so much.)

Here are some healthy eating tips:

  • Eat a variety of foods.
  • Go for foods high in fiber -- whole grain breads, cereals, and pasta, and and, yep, those fruits and veggies.
  • Eat and drink at least 4 servings of dairy products and calcium-rich foods a day.
  • Eat at least 3 servings of iron-rich foods a day.
  • Get one good source of vitamin C and one good source of folic acid daily.

Scan this full list of tips for specific dietary needs while pregnant, and get more details on eating right from the March of Dimes.

Are you worried about weight gain? How much weight have you gained so far?