I'm pregnant and I want to make sure I'm gaining weight healthily, not excessively. What are some tips or strategies to balance weight during pregnancy? I want to stay fit and healthy for my baby.
Having PCOS meant I already had a tendency to gain weight quickly, so I had to be very mindful. I didn't focus on losing weight, but rather on keeping my sugar levels stable by eating high-protein, low-carb meals. Just focus on nourishing your baby with healthy choices and let your doctor guide you based on your scans.
When you are working, it’s very easy to put on excess weight by ordering junk food or sitting at a desk all day. I used to pack healthy snacks like roasted makhana, nuts, and apples from home to avoid canteen food. Taking a quick 10-minute walk after lunch inside the office premises also helped keep my weight in check.
In a joint family, everyone constantly tells you to eat double or puts extra ghee on your rotis, but you have to be careful! My mom and MIL wanted me to eat everything, but my doctor told me I only need about 300 extra calories. I managed by eating small, frequent meals and gently explaining to my family that quality of food matters more than quantity.
Our elders always advise eating traditional foods like homemade ghee and ragi porridges, which are very healthy indeed. But my doctor also advised to keep a track of the weight gain and do 30 minutes of gentle walking daily. I balanced it by having home-cooked South Indian meals with lots of veggies and avoiding processed bakery items.
It is so hard to balance weight when all you can think about is hot samosas and cheese parathas! 😋 I satisfied my cravings in small portions, and balanced it by eating fruits and sprouts for my next meal. Don't starve yourself, just keep the portions sensible and enjoy your food!
