Pregnant? How to Maintain a Healthy Weight

Eating for two? While this truism sounds good in theory (who doesn’t want an excuse to indulge?), it’s important not to gain excessive weight while pregnant. You want to gradually increase your caloric intake with nutrient-rich foods, but you don’t want overeat to the point you risk gestational diabetes, high blood pressure or preeclampsia.
 
Here’s how to stay on track:
 
Practice proper nutrition. Opt for foods that provide calcium, protein, vitamins and minerals. Avoid foods that are full of empty calories. Healthy foods? You’ll feel better and stay full longer. Junk food? Bad for both you and the baby.
 
Watch portion sizes. You can always have too much of a good thing, so even if you’re eating whole-grain muffins, don’t eat half a dozen of them. A healthy portion is about the size of your fist.
 
Switch it up. Make healthy substitutions. You already know what they are: a whole orange instead of orange juice, mustard instead of mayo, yogurt instead of sour cream. Aim to cut out unhealthy fats (refrain from dousing your salad in dressing) and increase your intake of healthy fats (avocado or a small serving of walnuts).
 
Move. Of course, to counterbalance your healthy diet, move your body. Talk to your OB about what’s acceptable, and then get moving. Go for a walk, lift some light weights or try prenatal yoga.
 
If you’re a healthy expectant mother experiencing a normal pregnancy, your life insurance rates should not change. If you develop some health issues as the result of excessive weight gain, this could potentially impact your preferred rates. Talk to one of our agents today if you have questions about this or any of your other insurance needs.