Pregnancy Weight Gain

Healthy weight gain during pregnancy is very important not only for the growing fetus, but also for the mother. It's very important that you discuss a healthy pregnancy weight gain plan with your health care provider and work hard to gain an appropriate amount of weight.

I recommend that a normal woman gain approximately 25-30 pounds during the course of her pregnancy. If you're starting out underweight, I recommend a 28-40 pound weight gain. If you're starting out overweight, I recommend a 15-25 pound weight gain. Gaining any less can be dangerous for both you and your baby.

That said, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet during pregnancy is the key. You definitely shouldn't load up on calorie-dense foods full of fat and sugar like French fries and milkshakes. Instead, try to eat a well-balanced diet full of whole grains, dark green leafy vegetables, legumes (soy or peanuts) and beans, fruits, and dairy products.

The breakdown of calories in any healthy diet should be 30 to 35 percent from fats, 45 to 65 percent from carbohydrates and 10 to 35 percent from proteins.