I have been hammering on nutrition throughout this period of speaking on pregnancy because no matter how hard you work, you still need to back it up with good nutrition. Beside that, there is a place for exercise (fitness) and a place for nutrition. You cannot exchange the two or replace one with another.

When I have some pregnant moms on my program, I hear them talk about how they have to eat for two and that is why they are adding some weight. Now don’t get me wrong, when you are pregnant, it is only natural that you will put on some weight but if you are trying to control it, you have to banish then mindset that you are eating for two.

Infact, truth be told, your baby only takes a very small portion of all the food you eat and as such, there is no such thing as eating for two. Yes your portions may be slightly increased but you will not be taking times two of your regular size of food.

You certainly should be increasing the amount of certain nutrients, but you need only about 300 more calories per day, Redfern says, about the equivalent of “one slice of whole grain bread and one tablespoon of peanut butter.” If you put on too much weight during pregnancy, you increase your risk of gestational diabetes, backaches, high blood pressure, and needing a cesarean birth because your baby is very large.

That said, the simple trick to avoid this is to eat very well and by that I mean a very balanced and nutritious meal. This will keep you feeling full and not needing to eat at every point.

I cannot also stress enough, the importance of drinking enough water and staying hydrated during this time. It is important that you drink enough water as this will not only help you keep full but also help with body functions.

Don’t worry ladies, you can still say this to the husbands, but in reality, you don’t need it.