Gaining
just the right amount of weight depends on many factors. You can put your baby
at risk if you gain too little or too much weight.
As
a teenager your body is still growing so it’s vital that you are eating enough
calories and nutrients for your development as well as your baby’s. During
pregnancy women generally only need an additional 300 calories added to their
daily intake.
Talk
to your health care provider about how much weight gain is appropriate for you.
It will be based on your overall health and your pre-pregnancy weight.
If
you’re rapidly gaining weight talk to your health care provider. Gaining more
than 2 pounds per week could be a sign of
preeclampsia.
The
weight you gain is not all baby. The weight is distributed all over your body.
Your breast gain 2 lbs, maternal fat stores 7 lbs, extra blood and body fluid 8
lbs, placenta, amniotic fluid and uterus weighs 5.5 lbs and finally, the baby
averages 7.5 lbs.
Baby
needs calories and nutrients to build heart, lungs, brain and skeleton.
You
are not eating for two, but you are sharing what you normally eat with your
baby.
- Make time for breakfast
- Avoid snacks with no nutrients; soda, coffee, chips, cakes and cookies.
- Avoid fruit juice loaded with sugar. Eat fresh fruit instead.
- Eat smaller portions several times per day.
Good
choices at fast food restaurants include:
- Grilled chicken, not fried
- Baked potato, not French fries
- Salad or fruit, not cookies
- Milk or low fat yogurt, not milk shakes
