How to Not Become Fat During Pregnancy

Weight gain is a normal part of pregnancy, but women often struggle with keeping it under control. Many expecting mothers believe they need far more calories than their bodies require during the different stages of pregnancy, and hormonal fluctuations that cause increases in appetite can result in overeating. These changes can lead to excessive weight gain that may be difficult to lose after the baby is born. The best bet for expecting mothers is to prevent gaining too much weight in the first place.

Instructions

• 1

  Watch your diet. Follow a nutritious diet full of whole-food sources and keep processed foods to a minimum. Opt for lean proteins such as fish and ground turkey, whole-grain carbohydrates and plenty of fruits and vegetables. When cravings strike, reach for a piece of fruit or grab a handful of nuts instead of gorging on ice cream and pickles.

• 2

  Get active to keep your metabolism going strong. As long as your doctor gives you the go-ahead to exercise, try to incorporate daily activity into your schedule. Walking, light resistance training and swimming are good options for most women.

• 3

  Monitor your weight gain. A healthy total weight gain during pregnancy is around 25 to 35 pounds. Most women gain about 2 to 4 pounds during their first trimester, and then average about 1 pound per week for the remainder of the pregnancy. If you start packing on weight significantly faster, you're probably consuming too many calories.

• 4

  Monitor your calorie intake. The actual calorie increase that's necessary during pregnancy isn't that substantial. Most women need about 1,800 calories per day during their first trimester, 2,200 during the second, and 2,400 during the third.