Dieting during pregnancy?

Question

Iv just found out im pregnant Im only 3 weeks, But on jan 1st i started quite an intence dieting & fitness routine. But im not too sure what the rules are on dieting & exercise when pregnant any info would be great.

Thanks

Answer 1

Dieting is such a misleading word. Monitoring your caloric intake, making sure you are making healthy meal selections and getting exercise as advised by your medical provider is wonderful. Losing weight is not.

You want to eat and exercise so as to have a slow and healthy weight gain as recommended by your medical provider or in alignment with your pre-pregnancy BMI.

Too much exercise will kill your baby - trust me. But it's healthy to exercise, as long as you keep your heartrate to a reasonable level. They say you should be able to converse easily without struggling while exercising, this should let you know that you are not overdoing it. If you are breathing too hard or cannot talk to someone and carry a conversation, you are working out too hard.

I am 8 weeks pregnant and previously had a very rigid exercise and diet regime. It has not gone out the window - I still exercise 4 days a week, but the diet has changed. I don't eat sugar anyway, but that is something you could cut out if you have sugar regularly. Also, eating lots of fruits and veggies are good for a healthy diet anyway and will do your baby loads of good. So try to eat normally - and as you progress, they say you should add 300 calories to your normal intake.

300 calories is almost nothing - you can get that in a pot of yogurt. The old myth of 'eating for two' is way wrong!!

You should also know that if you are fit and healthy, your baby weight will drop away after the baby is born, especially if you breastfeed. If you are toned and healthy now - and try to do regular exercise whilst pregnant, you won't have a problem after the baby is born getting back into shape.

All the best!

Answer 2

Exercise is safe during pregnancy as long as you aren't doing gymnastics or extremely grueling routines. They recommend that a pregnant women exercise, and walking is the best! As for dieting, it is very dangerous during pregnancy. Your baby needs a steady supply of calories from mom, and you need to eat at least 2,000 a day if not a few more. Doctors recommend you gain 25-35 pounds throughout the whole pregnancy, and if you do this by eating healthy and exercising regularly, your baby will be healthy and the weight will come off easily after you deliver.

Answer 3

Being as you have just found out that you are pregnant I will assume that you haven't purchased any literature to help you along. There is one book that is the pregnancy bible so to speak. What to Expect when you are expecting. This book is marvelous. It has a pregnancy diet for getting the best nutrients to your baby and it has exercise do's and do not's plus lots of other helpful stuff. And if you have another baby later down the road the information will still be useful. I highly recommend getting this book. Costs about fifteen dollars I think. Good luck in your fitness and with your pregnancy.

Answer 4

It depends what you mean by dieting. If you were eating significantly more calories before you got pregnant than you were meant to and now you have reduced that to a healthy amount, then you can carry on. But you need to make sure that you are eating enough - that should be around 2000 calories a day, more if you are very active. You don't need any extra calories until the last trimester, when you need an extra 300 a day (UK government guidelines).
You can carry on exercising, but don't go overboard. It's important to make sure you don't get too hot in your first trimester.
I exercised throughout my first trimester and felt great for it, but once I got to about 15 weeks, I needed to tone it down. Listen to your body. Walking is great exercise, as is yoga.

Answer 5

Pregancy is not a time to be dieting.

If it's any consolation I found the I lost half a stone in the first 12 weeks, and did not reach my pre pregnancy weight until I was about 20 weeks.

Best of luck.

Answer 6

Exercise is good but you'll need to modify your current regime if it is too strenuous. A healthy well balanced diet is all that is needed when pregnant. See your doctor before starting or continuing with anything you are unsure of.
Oh you cannot let your heartrate get over 120-140bpm whenyou are pregnant as increased body temperature is harmful to your baby. Best of luck.

Answer 7

I have no real medical information to give you, but I would say that dieting while pregnant is a bad idea, you must make sure that your body (and the baby) are getting the right amount of nutrients, so eat healthy food and remain active, but don't cut down on the amount you eat, and don't over to the work outs.

Answer 8

Well in all my pregnancy books, they say you should NOT diet during pregnancy, eat plenty of veg/fruit/nuts (not peanuts), however you should continue light exercise like swimming/jogging

Answer 9

You shouldn't be dieting whilst pregnant, but eating well and healthily. Your doc. can refer you to a nutritionist for guidelines, and help you out with figuring what types of exercise are appropriate.

Answer 10

you should consult your doctor. because your pregnant you will need to increase your intake of food slightly as for the first 3 months the baby feeds directly off you. some exercises could be harmful even at this early stage. contact your G.P and cease your diet and exercise until they see you. congrats!!