by Beverley Brooke

Perhaps the number one complaint of women trying to watch their
weight during pregnancy is that they are hungry all the time.
True, pregnancy does result in an increased metabolic demand on
the body, which can cause you to be hungry. Many women also
experience a number of cravings during pregnancy, which can make
healthy eating challenging.

The first thing to remember is that the idea that you should eat
for two is wrong. You only need an additional 300 calories per
day, and generally you don’t need these calories until you are
well on your way to the second and third trimesters.

So what can you do to help manage your weight and stick to a
healthy diet?

Remember that during pregnancy it is vital that you do not cut
back on your caloric intake. This has the potential to rob your
baby of essential nutrients that are necessary for his/her
growth and development. Here are some tips to help you stick to
a healthy diet throughout your pregnancy:

Avoid skipping meals. If you have a habit of skipping breakfast,
you’ll find that you are not only more fatigued but ravenous
during your pregnancy, which will result in overeating. Be sure
that you eat each meal every day.

Try eating several mini meals throughout the ay. This will not
only help you feel fuller longer, it will help minimize the
nausea often experienced during the first trimester.

Satisfy your cravings with nutritious snacks. Have a variety of
healthy things to snack on readily available so you avoid
overindulging in foods that are too decadent. If you are craving
something sweet, consider having some mini chocolates near by or
opt for a cup of hot chocolate. Both are far better for you than
an entire candy bar or piece of cake.

Exercise during your pregnancy. The act of exercising in and of
itself will be plenty to motivate you to stick to a healthy
diet. You’ll feel better about yourself and find that you have
more energy throughout the day.

Avoid high calorie beverages. Soda pop (which isn’t good for you
anyway, particularly during pregnancy), juices and other
flavored drinks often contain a good 100-300 calories per
serving. Stick to water or flavored water during your pregnancy.

Drink lots of water. You may think you are hungry when in fact
you are actually thirsty at many points during your pregnancy.
In fact, the brains hunger and thirst centers often get mixed
up, so people often feel hungry when they are in fact
dehydrated. The better hydrated you are, the les likely you are
to overeat.

About the author:
Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure A Healthy
Pregnancy For You And Your Baby And Lose Weight After Pregnancy"
- visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.com for more on a range
of pregnancy health issues