How to Glow With Health During Pregnancy
When I was pregnant, I thought of stuffing my fridge with lots of food, thinking I had to eat for two, else my baby would starve! EATING FOR TWO IS A MYTH. Just add only around 300 calories to your diet daily to nurture your baby; and this, when you are carrying a single baby. For multiple pregnancies, add a hundred calories more.
Forget about stuffing yourself with food. Eat what you usually do because 300 calories isn't much. It amounts to a cup of yogurt and half a bagel. But what would happen when you feel extremely hungry, which is pretty often, during pregnancy.
It is quite a tough task to not eat every now and then.
Be Stomach Wise!
You have to be sensible enough to NOT surrender to your hunger pangs that erupt every odd hour of the day. Because if you do that, you will put on many unnecessary pounds.
What's the key to unlocking the door to a healthy pregnancy?
The key is choosing healthy and nourishing food. YOU HAVE TO TRICK YOUR STOMACH. How? Instead of having two large meals a day, switch to five or six small meals a day. This way, you won't give your stomach a chance to feel hungry! But do remember, the meals have to be SMALL. That means about half the portion of your ordinary meal.
The secret of a healthy mother and baby is a supply of constant energy throughout the day. And this is obtained by eating less, but often, throughout the day. An added advantage of this strategy is your metabolism remains active and your energy reserves are always full.
This Is Not the Time to Count Calories
I would make a humble request to all the pregnant women in this world - please don't think of losing weight or counting calories at this time! Your topmost priority right now is to nourish yourself and your baby in the best possible manner. Losing weight can come later, after delivery.
Think fiber rich foods, vitamins, minerals, and all other nutrients. Protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains should be in your mind instead of calories. Remember, the more fiber you eat, the less constipated you will be. Gorge on fresh fruits and vegetables. Fiber also makes you feel full. Be careful not to consume too much of fiber all of a sudden; start with small doses and increase gradually. Too much fiber may make you feel bloated.
Next is water intake. Drink at least eight to ten glasses of water daily. The best way to do this is by keeping a water bottle handy. If you cannot gulp a whole glass at a time, sip in parts. But, drink plenty of it. Do you know that the trigger mechanism of hunger is similar to that of thirst? Many times it happens that you think you are hungry, when actually, you are thirsty!
Don't like the bland taste of water? Spice it up with drops of lime! Do whatever; but don't avoid it. Avoid carbonated sodas since they tend to bloat you. Plain water is the best choice.