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NOT EATING FOR TWO
by Dana Wilkoff
During pregnancy, your hormones are all over the place and you have cravings for food you have never
liked before. Nothing is weirder than desiring salty chips when you are normally a sweet cookie kind
of person. Additionally, pregnancy hormones will also make you want to eat constantly all day long!
These hormones are what cause so many women to gain extra weight during pregnancy.
There is a myth surrounding pregnancy;
most women believe you can eat for two while
pregnant. The average woman needs to gain 25-35
pounds while pregnant. Your pregnant body only
requires approximately 250 additional calories
while in your first trimester, around 350 calories
in your second trimester, and between 400-500
additional calories in those last 3 months. Most
women do not know these numbers and will eat too
few calories for a few days, which leads to a binge.
So what’s the best way to stay on track and prevent
a binge? Pay attention to what you are eating on a
daily basis; this includes how much and when you
are eating!
Once you find out you are pregnant, calculate
your maintenance calories. This is the first step to
knowing you are consuming the correct amount
of calories. Once you know your maintenance
calories, add on the additional calories you need for
each trimester of pregnancy.
But it is not as easy as knowing how much to eat.
You need to also space your calories throughout
the day. Try to eat every 2-3hrs to ensure your
stomach is never empty. If you become overly
hungry, you will over eat quickly. And with your
hormones raging, you will give into you strange and
weird cravings.
Another way to stay on track is just enjoying your
cravings, in moderation. I love chocolate so while
I am pregnant I have 3 pieces of dark chocolate
or 2 small chocolate banana muffins every night.
Knowing I can have a small amount of my cravings
every night, keeps me from having a large amount.
Want ice cream? Try to buy the individual size
containers, or go to your favorite ice cream shop
instead of purchasing a gallon container.
Please, enjoy your pregnancy and the crazy
hormones that make you want to eat the weirdest
foods! But remember that the weight adds up
quicker than it comes off, and working out with a
new baby at home is not the easiest thing in the
world. Be smart with your choices, make sure you
are eating enough healthy and clean foods, and
know how many calories you need during each
stage of your pregnancy.