healthy eating in pregnancy

[Junosmum]

I've looked at the weight loss board but couldn't see anything, but I'm not looking to lose weight! Just be healthy. I've so far lost 8lbs (due to ms) and regained 5 of those. I'm nearly 21 weeks. According to nhs advice I should look to gain 15lb to 25lbs.

How much control do you have over this? The last week or so I've been ravenous! It doesn't help that we've no kitchen at the moment, so most snacks are unhealthy. I don't particularly like fruit but guess I should try? Anyone any tips? I'm starting pregnancy yoga next week too.

Anyone want to keep me company with the healthy pregnancy lark?

I'd say you have limited control over how much you gain and I wouldn't worry about the scales. Just try to eat healthily and not obsess over it. But also, don't deny yourself, if you're hungry - eat. You need a lot of energy to grow another human being. You'll find a protein-rich snack more filling than fruit and I found that up to about 25 weeks I essentially had to add an extra meal to my day in order to stay upright (something like a bagel with peanut butter or cheese worked for me).

I'm 27 weeks and exactly the same weight as before pregnancy and haven't gained anything yet. I've been eating healthy and baby is doing fine I nwoukdnt focus on losing weight as that's not important the priority is healthy eating and keeping baby healthy. My weigh fluctuates between 2 kg lighter than before and exactly the same as before from day to day but actually haven't gained anything just be healthy xx

Citydweller, that's what I'm finding-I need an extra meal.

I'm not worried about the weight gain, just the increased risk of GD and therefore to baby. The size of my ass is definitely secondary!

I think only about 7lbs of the weight you gain when pregnant is actual fat (meant to be reserves for BF), the rest is fluid, bloods, placenta, the actual baby etc. If you lost a lot initially due to the MS, I wouldn't worry. Most women gain in the 1st trimester at least 5lbs, so you are actually doing well in terms of controlling any excess weight gain.

Junosmum I have GD and still haven't gained and my baby is bang on target size for 27 weeks (growth scans begin next week) but she is on target atm and I'm controlling my weight well. Weight gain doesn't necessarily mean GD cz if that were true there's no reason I should have it when I haven't gained, although don't know how I haven't gained weight as I'm not doing anything differently and am just eating healthy like before pregnant.

From my experience you definitely have limited control over how much you gain.

In my first pregnancy I gained 7lb by 25 weeks and 28lb by 40 weeks.

This time, at 20 weeks I've gained 21lb already - but I'm eating far better and exercising much more than I did first time round!

As long as you know you're exercising, keeping fit and eating well, there's not a great deal you can do IME.

It also depends how big you were to start with, of course - my bmi is still healthy now, even though I've put on a stone and a half. Whereas if I was big to start with I suspect I'd have gained less.

Although weight can be a risk factor for GD (amongst others), it doesn't cause it - it's the pregnancy hormones, and there is very little you can do about that.

I agree with what others have said - definitely aim to eat as healthily as possible, but don't stress out about it. Everyone is different, some will put on lots of weight when pg, others won't, it's difficult to control. Definitely eat when you are hungry!

Try having a protein rich brekkie- eggs, avocado, wholemeal toast to keep you going for longer and snack on things like nuts, cheese, hummus and veg sticks etc. I'm 36 weeks with gd and have put on about a stone so far. I haven't been watching my weight it's just worked out this way...