Mommy Monday: A "Weighty" Issue

As you finish your first plate of food, has this occurred to you: "I'm eating for two, I should go for seconds, or even thirds!"?
I'm sure it has, if not - there will be a friend or family member who will make this claim for you. This statement needs to be carefully looked at.
First, it's true, you are eating for two in that all your food choices with directly affect your growing baby. But, it's false, in that you are eating for two grown adults, so no, you shouldn't be packing it in like it's your last meal. Remember, your baby is barely a quarter of your size.

"How Much Weight Should I Gain?"

You must understand that everybody is different. The rate and speed will vary from person to person so just because you're two best friends gained all their weight at the very end, doesn't necessarily mean you will too. Here is what's recommended for most healthy women:

Underweight (Below 90% of desirable weight)
Suggested Gain: 28-40 lbs
Weekly Gain in 2nd & 3rd trimesters: > 1 lb

Normal weight
Suggested Gain: 25 - 35 lbs
Weekly Gain in 2nd & 3rd trimesters: .8 - 1 lb

Moderately overweight (More than 120-135% of desirable weight)
Suggested Gain: 15 - 25 lbs
Weekly Gain in 2nd & 3rd trimesters: .7 lb

Very overweight (More than 135% of desirable weight)
Suggested Gain: 15 - 20 lbs
Weekly Gain in 2nd & 3rd trimesters: .5 lb

Keep in mind, these are just guidelines. There will be special cases where women will need to gain more, or less for some others. For example, a women carrying twins will need to gain about 35-45 lbs. Your doctor should be able to give you advice on your own weighty issue.



So, Where Does The Extra Weight Go?

Here is a little breakdown:
Baby: 7-8 lbs
Placenta: 1-2 lbs
Amniotic fluid: 1 1/2-2 lbs
Uterine tissue: 2 lbs
Breast tissue: 1-2 lbs
Fluid volume: 6-10 lbs
Fat: 6+ lbs
Total: 25-35 lbs

Next time, we'll look at some nutritional requirements needed to help you stay on top of your game during this journey!

Health respect & happiness,

beki

Mommy Monday : Don't Diet

Pregnancy is not the time to jump on the latest diet trend. Dieting during pregnancy can be detrimental to the baby, being known to cause brain damage and metabolic problems. By not eating enough, your body doesn't produce enough glucose to burn for energy, so it starts to burn fat and then protein tissues like muscles and organs instead. The metabolic process that transforms fat or muscle during weight loss produces ketones, a toxic by-product. Ketones are chemically related to acetone, which is found in solvents such as nail polish remover. If ketones levels are excessively high in your body, it could be fatal to both you and your child.

Furthermore, if you are underweight with very low body-fat levels, your level of estrogen production may decrease, which could cause miscarriage and infertility. In cases of severe fat and carbohydrate deficiencies, protein is used for the mother's energy, which inhibits the proper development of the baby.

Eating too little during pregnancy can be more harmful than over eating. Don't ever restrict yourself of food intake, except under a doctor's direction and close supervision. Do not limit carbohydrates and fiber-rich grains such as brown rice, whole grains, and especially fruits and vegetables.

Even when you're not pregnant, dieting slows down your metabolism, putting you on a sometimes never ending roller-coaster ride of yo-yoing up and down weight fluctuations. Protein speeds up your metabolism; excess fat and carbohydrates slow it down. Maintaining a diet consisting of high protein, medium carbohydrate, and low fat intake - combined with exercise - should keep you on a healthy balanced track.

Until next time Team, never completely eliminate fat or carbohydrates from your diet-every nutrient has its own function in maintaining overall health.

Health respect & happiness,
Beki