Before I got pregnant with my fourth baby I gained about 20lbs. I was already overweight to begin with. So now I’m about 40 pounds overweight. What do I do now? Should I try to lose weight?”
Don’t try to lose weight without medical supervision while you’re pregnant. A diet that restricts food groups or limits calories to under 2,200 while you’re pregnant can malnourish you and the baby. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists advises that overweight women, those with a BMI of 25 to 29.9, should gain between 15 and 25 pounds.
Do create a custom nutrition chart with your healthcare provider or at choosemyplate.gov.
Try keeping a food journal and compare it to your typical daily diet- it’s easy to forget about treats you snack on here and there and the calories can add up. Try to replace simple carbs and empty calories you could replace with vegetables, fruits, cereals and lean proteins.
Fiber up. If you strive to get the recommended daily allowance of 28 grams of fiber you may find you don’t have an appetite for much else- beans and oatmeal are really filling. Don’t rely on vitamin supplements to fulfill your recommended daily allowances, try to get them from food instead and use your vitamin for insurance.
Find an understanding doctor and a hospital equipped to deliver your baby. It’s important that your doctor understands the risks overweight women face, explains things to you in a clear way and makes you feel like he or she is there to support and help you. If your health care provider is negative or shaming instead find a different one.
Breastfeed beyond six months. It can help you lose weight and keep it off.
Leave a Reply