25 years
Is it good to keep on a diet while pregnant??and is it possible to loose weight??cz i gained a lot of weight during my first pregnancy and i gave birth 3 months ago..
Aug 29, 2014
For women who have gained weight between pregnancies, even a relatively small gain of 1-2 BMI units can increase the risk of high blood pressure or diabetes during their next pregnancy and may also increase the chance of giving birth to a large baby.
To achieve and maintain a healthy weight, the following general rules ought to be followed:
• The base of your meals should be starchy foods (such as potatoes, bread, rice and pasta), focusing on wholegrain where possible.
• Foods rich in fiber.
• A minimum of five portions of fruit and vegetables per day in place of foods higher in fat or calories.
• Avoid or even eliminate (if possible) fried foods, and drinks and confectionery high in sugars and fats.
• Do not skip breakfast.
• Watch portion size of meals and how often they are eaten.
The amount of weight a woman puts on during pregnancy varies, and only some of it is due to increased body fat. The baby, placenta, amniotic fluid and increases in maternal blood and fluid volume all contribute to weight gain during pregnancy, and these are lost almost precipitously after delivery.
• Dieting during pregnancy is NOT recommended as it is regarded as harmful to the health of the child.
• ‘Eating for two’ is a myth, so is drink full-fat milk (as opposed to lower-fat milk).In the first six months of pregnancy, energy needs do not change significantly. Only in the last three months do a woman’s energy needs increase by around 200-300 calories per day, depending on the original weight.
• Moderate-intensity (non-strenuous) physical activity is harmless. At least 30 minutes per day of moderate intensity activity is recommended. This can include activities such as swimming or brisk walking. Those who are not used to exercising regularly prior to conceiving should begin with no more than three 15-minute sessions a week, increasing gradually to daily 30-minute sessions.
After delivery, breastfeeding is highly encouraged, but dieting while breastfeeding is not advised. Women who exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months may require an additional 330 calories a day, but this varies between individuals, and some of these additional calories will be derived from fat stores built up during pregnancy. Also note that breastfeeding by itself helps in accelerating loss of pregnancy weight.
If the pregnancy and delivery are uncomplicated, a mild exercise program consisting of walking, pelvic floor exercises and stretching immediately after giving birth is allowed. If however delivery was complicated, or was by cesarean section, women should not resume pre-pregnancy levels of physical activity before consulting their treating physician.
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