Weight gain in pregnancy: How much is healthy?

Attacked by haters for her ballooning figure, pregnant reality TV star Kim Kardashian fights back, saying “I was waiting for this experience where I could just do whatever I want, eat whatever I want, feel great, and it just hasn’t been that way.” And she moves on to fulfill her pregnancy cravings for chicken, waffles, burgers, and cheese fries.

Image source: mirror.co.uk

But is the “do-whatever-I-want, eat-whatever-I-want” defiance healthy? How much extra pound can a pregnant woman take before it’s considered harmful?

The Huffington Post says that pregnancy is the time that a woman should be most careful with her diet. As she eats, she is also feeding the fetus in her womb. The fetus needs the right amount of calories and nutrients to grow healthily. Without enough calories, the baby suffers from stunted growth, poor cognitive development, and high risk of disease infection. Meanwhile, too much calories expose the baby to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Image source: purephysioclinic.com

Weight gain also harms the baby as much as it harms the mother. The mother is at high risk of gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and labor problems. The baby born to the overweight mother is more likely to become obese and susceptible to type 2 diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular diseases later in life. 

According to the Institute of Medicine, the recommended weight gain for a pregnant woman falls between 25-35 pounds if she has a normal weight, 15-25 pounds if overweight, and 11-20 pounds if obese. This weight gain must happen only during the second and third trimesters.

Image source: mumsnet.com

To gain weight healthily, a pregnant woman must chow on a diet of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. It is best for her to consult a doctor before following any pregnancy diet.

Staying healthy before pregnancy sets any woman off to a good start. She can supplement her diet with YouthJuice, a healthy drink of berries and sea vegetables. This website explains what berries and sea vegetables can do to the body.