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Eating for Appropriate Weight Gain During Pregnancy

image Some women may think of pregnancy as their ticket to eat anything they want, indulging any and all cravings and leaving portion control by the wayside. Put aside the thought you are eating for two. It may sound ideal but that kind of thinking is not be an ideal way to approach nutrition when making food choices during pregnancy.
Both inadequate weight gain and excess weight gain during pregnancy poses risks to both mother and child. A balanced diet can help you maintain a healthy and provide the best nutrition for you and your unborn baby. The following guidelines can help you find a nutrition balance for your pregnancy.

Guidelines for Weight Gain

Exactly how much weight gain to aim for will vary among women and depends on several factors, including the mother’s prepregnancy weight, height, age, and health status, as well as whether or not the birth will involve twins, triplets, or more. See your doctor to determine the best weight gain goal for you.
In general, the following Institute of Medicine and National Research Council guidelines are used for women with a single-baby pregnancy:
  • Women beginning pregnancy at a normal weight (defined as body mass index [BMI] of 18.5-24.9) are advised to gain 25-35 pounds during pregnancy.
  • Underweight women (BMI 18.4 or less) are advised to gain 28-40 pounds.
  • Overweight women (BMI 25-29.9) are advised to gain 15-25 pounds.
  • Obese women (BMI 30 and over) are advised to gain 11-20 pounds.
Of course, everyone is different. Here are some common problems if you stray too far off the recommended weight range.

Risks of Too Little or Too Much Weight Gain

The correct weight gain is one of many factors that may help ensure a healthy pregnancy. Keep in mind this is not the time to try a new, fad, or extreme diet to control weight gain. It can be harmful to your unborn baby.
Gaining too little weight can increase the risk for:
  • Delivering a low birthweight baby
  • Preterm birth
  • Miscarriage
Gaining too much weight can increase the mother’s risk for conditions, such as:
Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can also make it difficult to lose the weight afterward. Women who gain the suggested weight during pregnancy tend to lose most of it once the baby is born and the rest in the months following the birth.
Small changes in your diet will benefit both you and your baby through pregnancy and even after birth.

Maximizing Nutrition Without Maximizing Calories

The approach to healthful eating during pregnancy is two-fold: You want to eat for an appropriate weight gain, but you also want to make sure you and your unborn baby get all the nutrients needed. Tips to help you do this include:
  • Make sure your diet is high in healthy foods with lots of nutrition. This includes plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
  • Limit intake of foods high in sugar, saturated and trans fat(fried foods, whole dairy products, red meats).
  • Avoid foods that are high in calories and little nutrition (cookies, cakes, chips, and soda).
It is not always easy to stay away from things you are used to eating. Start slowly. Gradually substitue healthier options in place of less healthy foods. Talk to your doctor about ideal nutrition goals. Certain foods like low fait dairy may be ideal additions to your diet. You can monitor your menu with an individualized food plan at the US Department of Agriculture Supertracker website.
In addition to proper nutrition, you may need to increase or change certain vitamins and minerals during your pregnancy. Ask your doctor about prenatal vitamins.
Keep in mind that physical activity also plays a role in pregnancy weight gain. Getting regular exercise during pregnancy may help you achieve your recommended weight gain goal and relieve some discomforts of pregnancy. Be sure to check with your doctor before embarking on any exercise program during pregnancy.

A Note About Food Safety

A discussion of healthful eating during pregnancy would be incomplete without a mention of food safety. While it is important to eat a variety of foods and get adequate nutrients, it is also important to avoid certain foods that could pose a risk to you or to your unborn baby.
Here are some recommendations to avoid potential food-borne illness:
  • Do not eat or drink any raw or unpasteurized milk or milk products
  • Do not eat raw or partially cooked eggs
  • Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish because of high mercury levels
  • Limit white albacore tuna to 6 ounces a week or less (because of possible mercury content)
  • Eat only deli, luncheon meats, or hot dotgs that have been reheated until steaming hot
Be aware of E. Coli 0157:H7. This bacterium may be found in raw and undercooked meat and unpasteurized milk. Be sure to cook all meats to appropriate temperatures and avoid cross-contamination by using separate cutting boards for raw and cooked foods.
If you start early, it will be easier to make the switch to a more healthful diet. Make the most of what is available to you so you can enjoy a healthy pregnancy and faster recovery.

RESOURCES

American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists http://www.acog.org/

United States Department of Agriculture http://www.choosemyplate.gov/

CANADIAN RESOURCES

Health Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index%5Fe.html/

Women's Health Canada http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca/

References

Healthy Eating for You and Your Baby. Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Eat Right website. Available at: http://www.eatright.org/Public/content.aspx?id=6442467822&terms=pregnancy. Accessed November 29, 2012.

Nutritional Needs During Pregnancy. United States Department of Agriculture. ChooseMyPlate website. Available at: http://www.choosemyplate.gov/pregnancy-breastfeeding/pregnancy-nutritional-needs.html. Accessed November 29, 2012.

Nutrition in Pregnancy. EBSCO DynaMed website.http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated September 26, 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012.

Rasmussen KM, Catalano PM, et al., New Guidelines for Weight Gain During Pregnancy. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2009;21(6):521-526.

Rooney BL, Schauberger CW. Excess pregnancy weight gain and long-term obesity: one decade later. Obstet Gynecol. 2002;100:245-252.

Supertracker: My Foods, My Fitness, My Health. United States Department of Agriculture Supertracker website. https://www.supertracker.usda.gov/default.aspx. Accessed November 29, 2012.

Thorsdottir I, Torfadottir JE, Birgisdottir BE, Geirsson RT. Weight gain in women of normal weight before pregnancy: complications in pregnancy or delivery and birth outcome. Obstet Gynecol . 2002;99:799-806.

Weight Gain in Pregnancy. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php. Updated August 20, 2012. Accessed November 29, 2012.

2/5/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php Cheng YW, Chung JH, Kurbisch-Block I, Inturrisi M, Shafer S, Caughey AB. Gestational weight gain and gestational diabetes mellitus: perinatal outcomes. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;112:1015-1022. Hillier TA, Pedula KL, Vesco KK, et al. Excess gestational weight gain: modifying fetal macrosomia risk associated with maternal glucose. Obstet Gynecol. 2008;112:1007-1014.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

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