Setting calorie limit while pregnant

SweetSweater
SweetSweater Posts: 10
in Health and Weight Loss
I am right on the line of heathy and overweight at 5'11 and 175 with a BMI of 24.4 - If I gain much weight during pregnancy I will be in the overweight category, I understand I will gain some weight, but I think with having a little bit of extra weight (25 or 30 pounds in my opinon) I shouldn't be aiming to gain much.

I don't know if setting a calorie limit up for myself while pregnant sounds crazy? I think some limit and structure will help me from going 'craving crazy' but of course I understand sometimes your body craves things you need. With prenatal vitamins I think my nutrients should be in check so setting up a calorie limit doesnt sound too crazy does it?

Replies

  • SugaryLynx
    SugaryLynx Posts: 2,640 Member
    I would discuss with your OB on where that limit should be and you should aim to net that amount. I think it would be good to give yourself a range so you don't gain in excess (I gained 50 lbs with both my kids, so ya D: ).
  • mam479
    mam479 Posts: 20 Member
    Setting up a calorie limit is not too crazy (depending upon the limit, of course) because many women use pregnancy as an excuse to eat to excess when in reality your body only needs about an extra 200 calories a day. (Every woman is different so don't use this as a hard and fast rule). If you think it will help you stay healthy, you should definitely consider it.

    That being said, I would not set up a caloric limit without talking to your OB/GYN, midwife, or whoever your prenatal health care provider is first. Especially because you are still in the healthy BMI range. They will also be able to advise you on what type of nutrients you need more of and healthy ways to obtain them. For example during pregnancy you need to be consuming more fat. Fat is vital for the development of the fetus's central nervous system.

    Hope you have a happy and safe pregnancy!
  • Amandawith3kids
    Amandawith3kids Posts: 367 Member
    my dr did set me a calorie limit while i was pregnant with my last baby. (he's 2 now) i wont tell you what it was, because i want you to talk to your dr. ;) i will say it seemed like a lot of food, and he said all his diabetic patients loved being pregnant because they get to EAT. then he sent me to see the nutritionist at the diabetes program at the hospital. (i had gd)

    i was really careful, and only gained about 15 pounds, 10 of which were the baby. (10.4 and 21" to be exact) i ended up better off after i had him than when i started. too bad i didnt keep it off. my main goal was really to keep my sugar under control so that i avoided the bad effects of gest. diabetes, but overall it worked to keep the weight gain in check. my prior two pregnancies i gained 40 pounds each.
  • SweetSweater
    SweetSweater Posts: 10
    Thanks for the input guys, I will talk with my OB and see what she had to say as well but for now I think I'll set myself a limit, I am out of the first trimester.
  • rhondacollier5
    rhondacollier5 Posts: 3
    Congrads on your pregancy! I found while I was pregnant, I really watched the nutrients and salt, sugar I ate. Basically I cut out sugar, added salt and tried to cook everything at home. I was at the border of my weight with about the same BMI as you. I made sure to keep my exercise at the level I had been doing, not get over heated or over tired. I ended up gaining 22 lbs. I did not try to gain weight or to loose it, just to maintain my weight and this lead to the smaller but normal weight gain. Most depressing is the day after I had the baby, I jumped on the scale and had only lost 2 pounds! All the IV fluid they put in me! Argh. The total weight came off in 3 months. Good luck!
  • AlysonG2
    AlysonG2 Posts: 713 Member
    I don't know what the proper limit would be, but I think it's a fantastic idea as someone who gained 60 pounds while I was pregnant :(

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