9 Practical Tips for 9 Months of Healthy Eating

When I found out I was pregnant, I was ecstatic! I looked forward to watching my belly grow as my baby developed inside me. I couldn't wait to indulge in the pregnancy cravings and eat unlimited chocolate for the first time in my life. Everything was perfect until my first prenatal visit with my doctor. I was eight weeks pregnant and I had already gained fifteen pounds. I suddenly realized that my growing waistline wasn't as wonderful as I originally dreamed it would be. My doctor patted my back as I cried beside the scale. Then he politely suggested a few tips and tricks to stay healthy during my pregnancy (without gaining eighty pounds). If you find yourself gaining a lot of weight and worrying about your waistline, remember these nine practical tips for nine months of healthy eating.

1. If you starve yourself, you starve your baby.

You would never starve your baby after it's born, so why would you starve your baby during pregnancy? No matter how much you dread gaining weight, it is important to never skip meals during pregnancy. Even if you aren't hungry, your baby is. Despite what your grandma told you, a baby can't survive on mom's fat stores alone, no matter how ample your thighs are. Pregnancy is not the time to diet and lose weight. Make healthy choices for your baby, but be sure to eat at regular intervals throughout the day.

2. All calories are not created equal.

Avoid empty calories found in junk food at all costs. You'll just be hungry again in a few hours and you're wasting your calorie allowance on foods void of nutrition. Your baby is counting on you to provide the vitamins and nutrients it needs to develop into a healthy and strong infant. If you live on cheesecake and ice cream, your baby isn't going to get what it needs to be as healthy as possible. Not to mention that your butt is going to stick out further than your pregnant belly!

3. Well-rounded diets produce well-rounded bellies.

Don't let your cravings for pickles limit your diet to one food group. You need to eat foods from every food group everyday. Be sure to include whole grains, meats, vegetables, and fruits, along with some healthy fats in moderation.

4. Pay attention to your cravings.

Pregnant women often have strange cravings, but did you know that your cravings can actually shed some light on your nutrition? If you are constantly craving a certain food, you should see your doctor. That food might be rich in a vitamin or nutrient that your body is lacking. Many pregnant women crave ice cream, which is not surprising since it is full of calcium. Calcium is one of the most important nutrients for pregnant and nursing mothers.

5. Drop the diet soda and sugar-free popsicles.

Diet drinks and sugar-free foods are all sweetened with artificial sweeteners. The most common sweetener is aspartame, which has not been proven safe during pregnancy. While the occasional diet coke probably won't cause your baby to have brain damage, don't let these artificial sweeteners become a way of life. When you're craving something sweet, go for the real deal and just eat it in moderation.

6. Water works.

The best thing you can do for your body and you baby is to drink a lot of water. As your belly grows, so does your need to stay hydrated. Drinking adequate water will prevent dehydration, which is a common cause of preterm labor. Aim to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water everyday. This will also help control your appetite and keep you from retaining fluid.

7. Raw is always better.

When you're eating fruits and vegetables, raw is the way to go. The more cooking, boiling, steaming, or grilling you do to your produce, the less vitamins you will get per bite. Try to get in the habit of eating a few pieces of raw fruit each day. If you hate raw vegetables, try throwing them on a salad or dipping them in a low-fat salad dressing. You can eat big quantities of these foods without feeling guilty because they are low in calories and good for your baby.

8. It's okay to cheat... within reason.

Sometimes a pregnant woman just really needs a piece of chocolate. Don't deprive yourself of sweet treats all the time, but remember to eat them in moderation. When you are craving ice cream, have one bowl instead of the whole carton. If you can't get brownies off the brain, eat one or two, not the whole pan.

9. Keep some perspective.

It takes nine months to gain the pregnancy weight and it will take nine months (or longer) to lose it. Gaining weight is a sign of a healthy pregnancy. When the scale's numbers go up, you are doing something right. As long as your weight gain is within a healthy range as determined by your doctor, then don't stress too much. When you hold your little baby in your arms for the first time, it won't really matter how squishy your thighs are anyway. No one will even notice your double chin because they will all be looking at your beautiful baby!