Eating for Two

It would seem a rational assumption that while a woman is pregnant she is eating for two. But according to Christine McKinney, registered dietitian and diabetes educator at Johns Hopkins, this is only half-true. In fact, eating too much could be bad for the baby.

According to McKinney, a reasonable increase in is a total of about 300 calories, and only then after the first trimester. Overeating – especially foods that are high in fat and sugar – can affect the areas in the fetus' brain that regulates appetite and food preferences later in life, which may lead to a predisposition to being overweight.

Conversely, eating too little during pregnancy can also cause problems, such as increasing a child’s risk for high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes later in life.

Instead, says McKinney, eating a low-fat, low-sugar diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins is the best thing you can do for your baby. In addition, breastfeeding has been shown to lower one's risk of diabetes and chances of being overweight.

Also see: Eating Well for the Baby Inside