QuestionQUESTION: Hi,
I am 30 years old, 2 week pregnant. I am 5ft 4" tall and weigh 182 pounds, BMI 32.
I want to know if it is OK for me to cut down on calories and increase proteins in my diet and try and lose some weight during the 1st trimester. I walk for 1 hour everday.
Can you please advise me how to modify my diet and exercise according to the pregnancy needs.
Is it safe to lose weight during the 1st trimester or should I just continue with this weight??
ANSWER: Aim to eat about 2,000 high quality calories a day. Cut out all the junk, sugars, fatty foods, fast foods, etc. Eat lots of fresh veggies, fruit, legumes, and lean protein sources. Make sure that you're eating good sources of calcium every day too. Take a prenatal vitamin daily.
You should aim to gain 15 to 20 pounds total during this pregnancy. Try to get a referral to a certified nutritionist to help you improve the quality of your diet, and prevent excessive weight gain.
Keep fitness walking as this provides great benefits for your and your developing baby.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi,
Many thanks for the reply. I am gaining weight at a very rapid rate. I gained 5 pounds in a week's time. Is that too much. I am eating the way I used to eat before. Can you please help me to keep my weight under control.
AnswerStart a food diary, write down everything you eat, and estimate the caloric value. Do not go over 2,000 calories per day.
Look into Volumetics. You can easily buy a used copy online. This is a very healthy way of eating a lot of food, without a lot of calories.
