Be honest, do you feel like now that you’re pregnant and growing a little human, you can double what you eat? Many pregnant women do, and take their pregnancy as a chance to give healthy eating plans and dieting a break. But beware: taking in too many calories when you’re pregnant can up your risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure. It can also cause you to have a larger baby who will be more likely to face obesity.
Here are four tips for eating healthier for two:
- Keep your pre-pregnancy weight in mind. If you had a healthy weight before getting pregnant, you can take in around 300 extra calories a day during your pregnancy. Make sure to check with your doctor to get their recommendation about how much you should be eating.
- Eat four mini-meals instead of three large meals. You can do this by adding on a mini-meal in the late morning or mid-afternoon. This mini-meal should clock in right around 300 calories. Some ideas are: two slices of whole grain toast with peanut butter, a cup of soup, or half a sandwich.
- Eat only when you’re hungry, not out of boredom. It helps if you can try eating smaller helpings of fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy during your day.
- Make sure to get enough fiber. A healthy way to do this is by eating raspberries, yogurt, pears and/or whole grains. Foods that are rich in protein will keep you full and satisfied.