Ways to gain more weight during pregnancy
Contrary to your grandmother’s belief, you’re not actually eating for two, but this doesn’t mean you should scale back the recommendation to gain 25 to 35 pounds (depending on your pre-pregnancy BMI). If you’re having trouble munching with a bun in the oven, try a few of the following.
- Snack early, snack often: The key to healthy weight gain is spreading your calories throughout the day.
- Kick it old school: Pack yourself more snacks than an elementary school kid. You’re less likely to splurge on a big meal out if you have a sandwich, fruits, or nuts waiting in your purse.
- Slurp it: If you have troubling eating your calories, try drinking them instead. Smoothies are a great way to gain weight (but try to ignore your midnight cravings for milkshakes!)
- Get more bang for your buck: Eat foods that have a healthy serving of calories. Eggs are rich in calories and protein. Trade in reduced fat milks, yogurts, and cheeses for their full fat cousins.
If you start your pregnancy underweight, it’s important to gain weight throughout your pregnancy. Just make sure you’re regulating your weight in a way that’s healthy because Baby is eating whatever you’re eating.
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Sources
- "Weight Gain During Pregnancy: Number 548." ACOG. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 1/13/2015. Web.
- Mayo Clinic Staff. "Pregnancy weight gain: What's healthy?" Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic, 3/4/2014. Web.
