Can I Diet During Pregnancy?

A pregnant lady approximately needs to consume around 2500 calories every day and this is sure to get compromised once you begin dieting during pregnancy. This approximate quantity of calories is an absolute must for you and your baby.

Given below are some of the ill effects which may occur if one diets while you are pregnant.

[Read : The Inevitable Weight Gain During Pregnancy]

Harmful Effects of Dieting During Pregnancy

Here are some harmful effects of dieting during pregnancy:

• First and foremost, you will begin experiencing hunger pangs all the time if you start a diet during your pregnancy period. This is because in-between meals, the blood sugar levels drop making you feel hungry again and again.
• You have higher chances of being malnourished which can trigger all kinds of complications, and as it is, your body is already working overtime to support your growing baby.
• If you do not get the required nutrition during this crucial period, there is every chance your precious baby will not grow as well as required.
• A strict diet can turn quite hazardous for you and your little one growing inside you as a weight reduction program may inhibit the consumption of vital nutrients including folic acid and iron that are crucial for proper growth of your baby and keeping the mom healthy.

The only option for pregnant moms is just fine tuning one’s eating pattern in such a way which ensures you and your baby get adequate quantities of the required nutrients every day. This implies your diet needs to include a wholesome, healthy diet which includes a whole variety of food items like veggies and fruits, grains and breads, sources of protein and lots of dairy products too.

However one needs to be careful about not consuming too much of fatty foods which can trigger all kinds of pregnancy issues later.

Can I Diet During Pregnancy If I Am Overweight?

If you find you are already overweight and have no other option but to restrain your diet, the best course would be to ask your doctor about what kind of diet and exercise would be ideal in your case as each case is different. Moreover, it has often been found that controlling what you eat and how much you eat is a better way to prevent complications than resorting to dieting altogether.

[Read : I Am Pregnant And Overweight. How Does It Affect My Baby?]

Will My Dieting Affect My Baby?

Babies are pretty efficient in the womb to get what they need, and they will take it all from your body. This will make your body to get depleted in important minerals and vitamins, threatening your own health in a major way.

Being Overweight And Dieting During Pregnancy

Here are few important facts if you are dieting when your overweight during pregnancy:

• A calorie restricted nutrition diet during pregnancy has been found to lower chances of the mother developing a sudden hike in blood pressure which normally occurs due to prominent quantities of protein in the urine. This condition is commonly known as pre-eclampsia which has been proven to be quite a dangerous condition.
• Your chances of contracting gestational diabetes are also 60% lower when you control your calorie intake.
• The chances of giving birth to your baby prematurely are also significantly lowered when you follow a controlled diet during your pregnancy period.
• On the whole a lower calorie diet followed by the mother during pregnancy drastically lowers the chances of a number of complicated issues that normally arise in a pregnancy.
• Maintaining a diet diary and meticulously writing down each and every item that you munch every day would be a great idea to ensure you are eating the right quantities of the much required nutrients and other supplements needed during this period. This will also help to ensure you do not overdo your dieting and cause unwanted complications during this period.

So in short, it is ok to have a diet that is rich in nutrients but not so much high on calories while carrying, but only after asking your doctor’s permission for the same. You are also advised to strictly follow what kind of diet he recommends.

Anyhow, it is important that you do not go overboard and cause both yourself and your baby any harm by following a very strict dieting regime.

So go ahead and enjoy your pregnancy without following too much restrictions but being careful about your diet at the same time to have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Read Also: Paleo Diet During Pregnancy – Is It Safe?