Is Your Weight Gain During Pregnancy Appropriate?

Weight gain during pregnancy depends on your weight and height before you conceived, or better known as, BMI (Body Mass Index). Your doctor will measure your BMI and chalk out a weight gain chart

• If your BMI is less than 18.5, you need to gain 28-40 pounds.• If your BMI is 18.5-24.9, you need to gain 25-35 pounds.
• If your BMI is 25-29.9, you need to gain 15-25 pounds.
• If your BMI is 30 or more, you are obese and need to gain only 15 pounds.
In case you are having twins, your weight gain must be between 35 and 45 pounds. It's wise to follow a chart, as it gives you an idea of whether you are within the normal range or have gone beyond.
Tips For Slow Weight Gain During Pregnancy
• You must take at least 4 servings of milk products daily. However, skip whole milk products and switch to skimmed milk, low-fat cheese or yoghurt.
• Cut down on sugary drinks like soft drinks, fruit drinks lemonade, iced tea, or powdered drink. They contain empty calories. Switch to plain water or club soda.
• Avoid adding salt to food while cooking. It retains water in your body.
• Avoid high calorie snacks and sweets. Say "No" to cookies, cakes, candies, honey, syrups, donuts, and potato chips. Substitute them with fresh fruits, angle food cake, pretzels, low-fat yoghurt, or low-calorie desserts and snacks.
• Moderate the use of cooking oils, butter, margarine, gravy, sauces, regular salad dressings, mayonnaise, lard, cream cheese, and sour cream. They contain fat. Opt for low-fat items.
• Prefer low-fat cooking, such as baking or boiling. Foods fried in butter or oil has higher fats and calories.
• When eating out, opt for lower fat items like sandwich with tomato and lettuce, plain baked potato, or side salad containing lower-fat dressing.
• Exercise regularly after consulting your doctor. Waking and swimming are safer physical activities, as it prevents excessive gain.
There's nothing better than keeping a check on your diet and following an exercise regime for a healthy and happy pregnancy, these tips will also help you to avoid all the pregnancy complications. In addition to your doctor, there are hordes of articles and books available that guide you towards a healthy weight gain during pregnancy.
There is a limit to weight gain during pregnancy. You can't just keep on adding pounds to your body. Excessive gain during pregnancy has its own harmful effects. So, follow a weight gain chart to avoid pregnancy complications.