Proper eating during pregnancy can be confusing. What foods are allowed, and what's forbidden? What amounts of different things should you have? Never fear, pregnancy & nutrition is really all about moderation. You can actually enjoy a healthy, tasty diet and an active lifestyle as long as you do so in modest proportions. Use your common sense, and you should be fine. But just in case, we've answered a few of the most common pregnancy diet questions below.
Q. Is it OK to drink coffee during pregnancy?
A. Experts agree that caffeine consumption is okay during pregnancy, but only in limited amounts. You should cut back on your caffeine intake until you reach about 150mg per day. This is the equivalent of one cup of coffee. When totaling your caffeine for the day, make sure you include all the foods and beverages that have caffeine in them, such as chocolate, tea, and even headache medicine. While it's best to slowly cut back on caffeine until it's eliminated from your diet, simply cutting back to one cup per day is allowable.
Q. Is it OK to eat shrimp during pregnancy?
A. Yes, shrimp is one of the types of seafood that you can safely eat during pregnancy. Other low-mercury varieties include wild salmon, butterfish, tilapia, sardines, anchovies, crab, and lobster, as well as others. You should enjoy no more than two 6 ounce servings during pregnancy of these low mercury fish varieties. Be sure to check the mercury content of other varieties of fish before you consume them, as some are too high and are forbidden during pregnancy.
Q. What OTC medications can I take during pregnancy?
A. Most over the counter (OTC) medications are not allowed during pregnancy, because the effects of these medicines on your baby are too difficult to gauge. If you have problems with common pregnancy complaints such as nausea, headaches, fatigue, or constipation, check with your health care provider to see if dietary changes or natural remedies can be used to help you feel better. Sometimes, something as simple as not drinking enough water can profoundly affect your health and wellbeing, so make sure you are eating well and getting enough water each day.
Q. How much water do I have to drink during pregnancy?
A. Getting enough water during pregnancy is a major issue for several reasons. First, if you are having morning sickness and are experiencing a lot of vomiting, you need water to stay hydrated. Second, water can help flush out toxins and prevent pregnancy-related health issues such as headaches, water retention, and constipation. And finally, water can help you feel fuller between meals, which helps curb the tendency to overeat.
You should be drinking half your body weight in water every day, minimum. So if you weigh 160 pounds, you need to drink about 80 ounces daily at least. Add more if you are sick and throwing up, or if you work out and sweat a lot.
Q. Do I have to exercise during pregnancy?
A. Yes, exercise is essential to a healthy pregnancy. It will keep you in shape for the big day (labor) and will keep your weight down, so your pregnancy weight gain is within the proper boundaries (between 20 and 30 pounds). Seek out an exercise regimen that is low-impact or no-impact for the safest results.
Good options include Pilates, yoga, walking, swimming, or water aerobics. Steer clear of high-impact aerobic activity or anything that could make you prone to falls, such as tennis, horseback riding, running, or skiing. If you find you have trouble staying motivated, then try working out with a buddy. It helps to have the encouragement of a good friend.
Headaches During PregnancyAre you looking for the best advice for eating during pregnancy? Curious about pregnancy & nutrition? Visit The Diet Solution Program: What to Eat While Pregnant for exercise recommendations and eating tips for a healthy pregnancy. http://www.WhatToEatWhilePregnant.com.