Eating right while pregnant can be difficult, especially since most of crave junk food–chips, chocolate, ice cream, pizza, french fries……or maybe that is just me???

If you have read about my previous pregnancies you know that I gained close to 50lbs with both pregnancies.  I am not sure how much Ashley B gained…but I know she was in a similar boat-you can read about her pregnancy weight gain HERE.   (I laugh every time I see her diagram!)  

I worked my butt off to loose the baby weight after my daughter, get healthy, and in kick-ass shape.  With baby #3 I am starting about 20lbs less than I did with my first two pregnancies.  I am eating healthy and working out throughout this pregnancy.  I am not sure how my weight gain is going to fair but my goal is to stay in the recommended weight gain limits.  

It is recommended to consume 300 more calories a day while pregnant.  

(ummmm….I missed this memo with pregnancies #1 & #2.  I think I consumed at least 500 more calories with that heaping bowl of triple-choolate ice cream.)   

To keep baby growing healthy and strong it is important to eat a variety of foods to get all the nutrients you need.  

You should consume:

I think the biggest NEWSFLASH for me was: just because I am pregnant does not give me permission to eat whatever I want.  It is SO important to eat healthy to give the baby the nutrients he/she needs to grow and be healthy.  It is your job, as the babies mother, to eat well to nourish your baby.      

But, lets be realistic.  As a pregnant woman, we have needs!  Like to splurge once in a while!!  I am definitely not an expert but here is what I have been doing to eat healthy while not depriving myself….I eat my “normal”, healthy diet most days. When we go out to eat, I get the same thing I would have gotten when I was not pregnant.  I add an extra snack between lunch and dinner, which usually includes an apple with peanut butter and a small snack before bed which is usually celery with peanut butter (apparently I love PB).   I also treat myself to a small piece of chocolate at night (to take the place of wine, of course!)  And, once a week I go ALL OUT and get myself TCBY (with the toppings!!)   I look forward to this treat all week!   

I will never be one of those girls who just gets a cute little belly.  I gain weight EVERYWHERE.  My butt, legs, arms, boobs….it is fabulous.  Our bodies are going to do what they are gong to do.  But we can take control by eating healthy and providing our babies with proper nutrients from the very beginning.  

Best Wishes my fellow pregnant mommas.

Don’t forget to check in every Thursday for my Pregnancy Tales with #3!!