The Weight-ing Game

It's important for women to gain weight during pregnancy, but gaining too much can be dangerous for both Mom and baby. Kate Kelly, Managing Editor for American Baby Magazine, discusses weight gain during pregnancy and has some tips for keeping those extra pounds in check.

Contrary to the popular saying, just because you're pregnant doesn't mean you're eating for two. "Really, it's not that much more than when you're not pregnant," says Kelly. "It averages out to about 300 extra calories a day, but in your first trimester, the baby's the size of a peanut. You don't need to gain any weight."

Some women find their sense of smell is heightened during pregnancy, and that can make them avoid aromatic foods like chicken, fish or certain vegetables. Unfortunately, though, these are the same foods that are good for you and contain a lot of nutrients. "Try and be creative," says Kelly. "When it comes to protein, there's other things besides meat [like] peanut butter." Beans have a lot of protein too. If you're craving carbs, try to find carbohydrates that are protein fortified like whole wheat bagels or pasta.

Veggies can be tricky, too, but Kelly advises sprinkling them with lemon juice. "A lot of pregnant women crave citrus," she says. Or, work veggies into other foods; try making muffins with pureed pumpkin.

To curb unhealthy cravings, have a healthier snack before giving into temptation. Or, divide tempting foods into single portions so you'll only eat what's divided for you. It's okay to have treats once in a while, but it's best to control your portions when you do give in.

In the same respect, it's best to eat several small meals throughout the day instead of two or three big meals. "Nutritionists say that everybody - not even just pregnant women - should try and eat frequent small meals," says Kelly. Eating every two or three hours helps to keep your blood sugar stable and also helps you feel more comfortable. As your baby grows, there won't be as much room in your stomach area for a big meal, so small meals are more easily tolerated. "You just stay satisfied all day long," Kelly adds.

If you do have a month where you gain a lot of weight, don't fret. "It's not something you want to see every month... but sometimes it just has a mind of its own," says Kelly. "Just be extra careful the next month and try and get back on track."

For more advice on having a healthy pregnancy, visit www.AmericanBaby.com by clicking here.

By Erin Shea