

Instead, focus on eating healthily, with a good balance across the food groups.Ī large study has shown that adjusting your diet to maintain a healthy bodyweight in pregnancy (rather than to lose weight) and following a normal balanced diet, is safe, effective and has no consequential effects on the baby’s birth weight 9.Įxercise during pregnancy can also help you to maintain a healthy bodyweight, and staying active while you’re pregnant is good for both you and your baby. Your developing baby is responsive to nutrient changes during the different stages of their gestational development, and nutrient changes can affect your baby’s ability to utilise nutrients later in life 8. However, once you become pregnant it’s not advisable to diet, and there’s no evidence that losing weight while you're pregnant will reduce the chance of complications 6. It can also increase your likelihood of premature delivery and birth complications, as well as problems initiating or sustaining breastfeeding 7. While most women who are overweight have a straightforward pregnancy and birth, and have healthy babies 6, being overweight before and during pregnancy can put you at greater risk of developing high blood pressure and gestational diabetes. Weight loss if you’re overweight during pregnancy If your gestational weight gain is above the recommended levels, your midwife may suggest making some changes so that you gain weight more steadily. Learn more about eating for two during pregnancy. One smoked mackerel fillet, shredded and mixed with natural yoghurt, served with two oatcakes 5.Ī healthy, balanced pregnancy diet which includes foods from all the food groups will provide nearly all the essential vitamins, minerals, fats and protein your baby needs for healthy development, while supporting your own needs and helping you stay within the recommended weight gain guidelines for pregnancy.

A banana and oat smoothie made with 150ml of milk.A small serving of hummus with raw vegetable sticks.A small pot of low-fat yoghurt with seeds and berries.Try these healthy 200-calorie snack ideas in your third trimester: Yoghurt, for example, provides bone-building calcium while a jacket potato is a good source of fibre and, as a carbohydrate, delivers a healthy boost of energy too. When it’s time to increase your calorie intake in your third trimester, try to choose nutrient-rich foods to get the maximum benefit from your extra 200 calories.
