How to use our pregnancy diet chartsOur diet charts are a general guide to help you plan your weekly meals better. The aim is to help you identify foods that you like, which are good sources of the nutrients you need at your stage of pregnancy. Keep in mind that:
Processed Foods That Are High In Sugar
During this time of increased nutritional needs, you will want to avoid eating high sugar or refined carbohydrate snacks like soda pop, candy bars and cookies as they provide empty calories without many nutrients (18). You’ll want to save room instead for more nutritious foods that help your baby grow. If these types of snacks are an issue for you, then please consult with either a dietician or your doctor about healthy alternatives to meet your nutritional needs.
Weight Gain
This also signals a change from the first trimester, when weight gain is more rapid and intense (7). Your belly will become noticeably larger at 15 weeks pregnant, and your hips will also enlarge noticeably. It’s crucial to accept this change by realizing that everything revolves around the infant’s comfort, which entails a secure environment.
Your appetite will probably increase, causing you to eat more than usual and possibly delay your feeling of fullness until later in the day. If you can’t resist your cravings during this time, give in to them while continuing to eat a healthy diet overall for you and the baby.
It’s not too late to begin gently exercising, even if it’s just some daily walking if you haven’t already.
Some researchers believe that exercise can help prevent gestational diabetes; however, there isn’t enough evidence available at this time to support this claim (20). So, as always, if you have any concerns regarding exercise and your pregnancy, you should speak to your healthcare provider.