It is tempting in early pregnancy to just give into temptation and eat whatever you are craving (especially if you aren’t able to keep much of anything else down) and to give in to the urge to lay around and do nothing because you are just so darn tired all the time.  However, a recent study conducted by the health management company, Kaiser Permanente, discovered that women who put on 7 or more pounds during their first trimester had an 80% higher risk of developing gestational diabetes later in pregnancy.

The more weight you gain early in your pregnancy the more weight you will gain through your whole pregnancy.  Weight gain increases the further into the pregnancy you go, so if you pack on the pounds in those first 3 months you could find yourself in trouble later in your pregnancy.  It is important to talk to your doctor or midwife about what your weight gain expectations should be, they vary from woman to woman and depend in large part on whether you started out your pregnancy below average, average or above average in weight.

There are a few things you can start early in your pregnancy that will not only help you avoid packing on too much weight early in your pregnancy but will also help you throughout your pregnancy if you keep them up:

• Exercise. Even if it is a just a brisk walk in the evening it will help keep you active during your pregnancy which will in turn help feel better, gain less weight and have more energy throughout your pregnancy.  Be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any exercise routine.
• Keep a food journal.  This can also be helpful if you are suffering from morning sickness to help identify those foods which help and those that make you ill.  Keeping track of the food you take in will help you make better choices, especially if you weren’t a very healthy eater before you became pregnant.
• Eat small meals and supplement with small snacks.  Eating throughout the day will help curb your nausea and will also, if you make healthy choices, help you control your weight gain.
• Make healthy choices.  Avoid high fat, high calorie, high sugar foods.  Choosing lots of fresh foods like fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean meats will be good for your growing baby and will help you control your weight gain.

You should never diet during pregnancy or overdo it when it comes to exercise.  Weight gain is a part of pregnancy.  The key is to make healthy choices and stay active so that you gain a healthy amount of weight during pregnancy.  Talk to your doctor about what kinds of exercise you are cleared for.  If you aren’t sure about what constitutes a healthy diet for a pregnant woman ask your doctor for a referral to a nutritionist so you can have a guide in making the right choices.