When I was pregnant, I thought of stuffing my fridge with lots of food, thinking that I had to eat for two, or else my baby would starve! EATING FOR TWO IS A MYTH. Yes, believe me! You need to add ONLY about 300 calories to your diet daily to nurture your baby; and this, when you are carrying a single baby. For multiple pregnancies, simply add a hundred more calories.

So, forget 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. This is fine. But the problem starts when you feel extremely hungry frequently during pregnancy. It is quite a tough task to NOT eat every now and then.

Be Stomach Wise!

You have to be wise enough to NOT surrender to your hunger pangs that erupt every odd hour of the day. Because if you surrender, you will put on many unnecessary pounds. So, what's the key to unlock the door to a healthy pregnancy?

The key is choosing healthy and nourishing food. YOU HAVE TO TRICK YOUR STOMACH. How? Well, instead of having two large meals a day, switch to 5-6 small meals a day. This way, you won't give your stomach a chance to feel hungry! Remember, the meals have to be SMALL. It 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. So, gorge on those fresh fruits and vegetables. Fiber also makes you feel full. However, 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 comes water intake. Need I say more about it? Yet, let me remind you - drink at least 8-10 glasses of water daily. The best way to do this is 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. Also, do not drink carbonated sodas much, as they tend to bloat you. Plain water is the best choice.