Pregnancy Diet Plan

Eating a healthy diet (I know just reading that word makes you shudder!) is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your unborn baby. The phrase "healthy diet," especially when applied to a pregnant woman, seems to be an oxymoron, doesn't it? After all, "diet" commonly means you starve yourself and exercise like crazy to lose the five pounds you need to take off so you can wear that slinky, size three, little black dress to your high school reunion! Pregnant women are supposed to gain weight. Right? Pregnant women aren't supposed to diet. Right? Well, both of the previous statements are true, but a healthy diet means that you control your calorie intake and substitute more nutritious foods and drinks for a brownie and a double mocha, double cream, double sugar latte for breakfast.

Eating a healthy diet when you're pregnant doesn't require you to give up your favorite foods; it just means that you need to eat them in moderation. My sister loves nothing better than a good ol' Southern meal of fried chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, fried green tomatoes, and coleslaw, and pecan pie for dessert! You almost can't get more fat and calories in a meal! But, she found an awesome web site that taught her how plan her pregnancy diet so that she could eat a healthy diet and still have her favorite foods from time to time.

Here's the low-down:

Ï It's OK to have carbohydrates; our bodies need carbs for energy, and carbs needn't be "empty" calories. In fact, there are healthy carbs that still contain the complex sugars and fiber that your body needs for stable blood glucose levels and good organ function.

Ï Caffeine is pretty much a no-no, but a cup of morning decaf or the occasional diet cola or bit of chocolate won't hurt you. Now that's good news! Almost all women agree that chocolate unto itself is an essential food group!

Ï Eat small portions of unprocessed red meats, chicken, pork and seafood for the proteins you need.

Ï Drink the recommended amount of water, at least six to eight glasses per day. Drinking a sufficient amount of water and eating certain fresh fruits and vegetables, such as bananas, provide the potassium that can actually help reduce the swelling and leg cramps pregnant women often experience.