Is it Safe to Diet During Pregnancy?

This is a question that many pregnant women and even those just thinking about getting pregnant have. Can they safely go on a diet while being pregnant? It is not recommended if dieting means trying to lose weight  or not gaining weight while pregnant. Some women are placed on a diet by their doctors, but this is in the rare case when they are putting on too much weight or if they are diabetic and there is a possibility of harm to the mother or the baby.

The issue of pregnant women going on weight-loss or weight maintenance diets while being pregnant has given rise to a new word, pregorexia. This is a condition where women are dieting and exercising to extreme levels while pregnant not to be healthy, but to manage their weight. Some experts believe this is mostly to help them regain their pre-pregnancy bodies quicker.

As it relates to her diet, a pregnant woman should ensure that she eats lots of:

• Vegetables & Fruits: It is recommended that pregnant women eat at least seven servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The mix of fruits and vegetables could be varied daily, for example 4 servings of fruits and 3 of vegetables one day and the reverse the following day.
• Protein: This nutrient is necessary for the growth and development of the baby and the health of the mother-to-be.
• Water: At least eight -8 ounce glasses of water is recommended.

A pregnant woman is generally expected to gain between 20 and 25 pounds. This is not the same for all women as the amount of weight gained is dependent on other factors as well. These include whether or not the woman was underweight or overweight before getting pregnant. With the new focus on being slim many women are trying hard not to gain even that much.

Reasons why Pregnant Women Shouldn’t Diet
When a pregnant woman goes on a diet, she is not only cutting down on what she eats but nutrients for the fetus as well. In fact, since babies will try to pull all they need from the mother, it is the mother who will suffer the greater consequences of dieting. Some other ill effects from not gaining enough weight during pregnancy include:

• Poor fetal growth, that is, the baby will not grow as much as it should. This is partly due to the fact that while in the mother’s womb the baby experiences its fastest rate of growth.
• Premature birth is also sometimes associated with poor diet of the pregnant woman
• Many low birth weight babies are born to women who did not eat properly during pregnancy and as such did not gain enough weight.

Pregnant women owe it to themselves and their babies to eat properly. This will ensure that they are both healthy during and after birth. Any weight issues should be dealt with prior to getting pregnant or after giving birth.

source : http://www.methodsofhealing.com

Related Topics :

BALANCED diet is very important when you're pregnant
FIVE signs unhealthy diet
6 HABITS that unhealthy eating patterns
10 MYTHS wrong: food diets failed

BALANCED diet is very important when you're pregnant

goodnews.ws

Pregnancy is one of the happiest and challenging events in the life of a woman. Many things have to be prepared starting from avoiding cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and much more.

Why balanced diet is very important when you're pregnant ?
Surrounding environment and the food you eat will affect the developing baby. Because this is the time the baby starts to grow and flourish. Not surprisingly, nutritional and extra energy is needed to support the metabolic demands of the fetus is also the mother yourself.

Energy needs of each person differently and in general, pregnant women are encouraged to supplement their daily calorie consumption up to 300 kilo calories. This is equivalent to:
• 2 slices whole wheat bread with cheese or
• 200 grams of yogurt with 45gram wheat cereal/oatmeal or
• Additional extra ½ cup ½ cup rice or noodles for dinner or
• 1 cup milk
• 1 slice of meat/chicken/fish of medium size
• 150 grams yogurt

What is clear, it is important for pregnant women to conduct a balanced and healthy diet, which consists of all groups of foods such as milk, fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs, fats and carbohydrates. Thus, you will be able to get adequate amounts of energy. Use the food pyramid as a guide to choosing healthy foods and remember to continue to eat a variety.

At the bottom of the food pyramid is a healthy food must be consumed frequently because of low fat, high fiber and filling. Several choices of carbohydrate foods are rice, wheat cereal, fiber bread, basmati rice, brown rice, noodles and pasta.

In the middle of the pyramid are foods that should be eaten in moderation because many servings of protein, various kinds of vitamins and minerals. Some choices are meat, fish, chicken, seafood, eggs, tofu, beans, nuts, beans and low-fat dairy products. Do not forget to add fruit and vegetables every day.

While the food should be eaten very little is situated at the top of the pyramid. Because these foods contain a lot of sugar, fat, salt and alcohol. Despite the good fats are important, but should be consumed very little fat because our bodies have been received from dietary fat intake on a typical day. It is better to avoid adding unnecessary weight during pregnancy