| The most common question that women have | | | | You can replace these carbohydrates with quinoa, |
| throughout pregnancy is how to control their weight | | | | millet, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, all of which are |
| with proper pregnancy nutrition. After all, you want to | | | | healthy grains. |
| eat right to give the maximum nutritional benefits to | | | | These grains also have the added benefit of being |
| your baby as it grows and develops within you. | | | | high in fiber, which will help you maintain regular |
| Keeping your weight gain to a minimum is helpful after | | | | digestion and elimination throughout pregnancy. These |
| you have the baby, as it's much easier to get back into | | | | grains are also great for reducing gastric bloating and |
| shape if you don't have much weight to lose. An | | | | indigestion, a common complaint during pregnancy. |
| average weight gain of around 20-30 pounds will help | | | | Eliminate Sugar and Artificial Sweeteners |
| you stay fit and active during pregnancy while still | | | | It's time to tame your sweet tooth if you want to keep |
| giving your baby everything she needs to grow | | | | from gaining excess pounds during your pregnancy. |
| healthy for birth. | | | | Cane sugar, high fructose corn syrup, and other sugar |
| So how can you keep on track with a healthy weight | | | | derivatives should be avoided if you want to combat |
| gain through pregnancy? The best tips for eating well | | | | water retention and weight gain during pregnancy. |
| and controlling your gain are presented below. | | | | But don't think that artificial sweeteners will help, either. |
| Avoid Processed Foods | | | | These man-made sugar substitutes are chock-full of |
| Processed foods are best avoided during pregnancy, | | | | questionable chemicals that could potentially harm your |
| as they contain excess fillers, sodium, and calories that | | | | unborn baby. Instead, seek all-natural sugar alternatives |
| can lead to water retention and weight gain. How can | | | | such as raw honey, agave syrup, stevia, and xylitol. All |
| you eliminate processed foods from your diet? | | | | of these will help curb your craving for sugar without |
| To start with, instead of eating lunch meat while | | | | chemicals or a huge caloric punch. |
| pregnant, you should find a whole and natural source | | | | Cut Back on Caffeine |
| of lean protein instead. Raw nuts, nut butters (without | | | | Finally, one of the best nutritional choices you can |
| added salt), lean cuts of organic and hormone-free | | | | make during pregnancy is to cut back on caffeine. If |
| meat, and organic eggs are all excellent sources of | | | | you are addicted to coffee or tea, you should slowly |
| protein. | | | | step down your consumption rather than try to quit |
| These protein sources are also lower in calories, free | | | | cold turkey. The detox symptoms from suddenly |
| from fillers, and don't contain the excess sodium that is | | | | ceasing your caffeine habit can be particularly difficult |
| found in processed meats and foods. They're a great | | | | to handle during pregnancy. |
| way to stay on track nutritionally without ingesting | | | | Most physicians agree that you can consume 150mg |
| those questionable extras that come with processed | | | | of caffeine daily without harming your baby, so try to |
| foods. | | | | bring your consumption down to that level. You can |
| Reduce Your Intake of Gluten and Wheat | | | | step down from coffee to black tea to green tea to |
| Even if you don't have sensitivity to wheat or gluten | | | | white tea, and finally switch to herbal teas if you want |
| when not pregnant, you can develop one when you | | | | to eliminate caffeine altogether. Try upping your intake |
| are carrying your baby. So if you are experiencing | | | | of water during this time to flush toxins from your |
| issues with excess weight gain and water retention, | | | | system and help eliminate any detox headaches you |
| try eliminating wheat and gluten from your diet. | | | | may experience. |