Pregnancy is not the time to make drastic changes to your lifestyle and to be concerned with weight loss. It is the time to eat healthy to promote the proper growth and development of your baby. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a woman should consume an extra 300 calories a day during her pregnancy. The South Beach diet can be used during pregnancy to a degree, according to the website Amazing Pregnancy.
South Beach Diet
The South Beach diet is used to promote weight loss. During pregnancy weight loss is not the goal instead a steady weight gain is encouraged to develop a healthy baby. Phase one of the South Beach diet is very restricted. According to Amazing Pregnancy website, this phase should not be used by pregnant women. It focuses on restricting all carbohydrates including fruits and vegetables which provide essential nutrients to pregnant women.
Phase 2
Phase two of the South Beach diet is safe to use for pregnant women because it promotes eating a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Although the portions can be limiting, these are the foods that should be in a pregnant woman's diet. Phase two is supposed to last until the person reaches their goal weight. However, with pregnancy weight loss should not be a goal.
Phase 3
Phase three of the South Beach diet introduces all carbohydrates back into the diet. By Phase three the cravings for bad carbohydrates, or junk food and processed food should be gone. However, during pregnancy cravings are common and natural to occur. Listen to your body and indulge is some cravings during your pregnancy. However, an extra 300 calories a day is all that is necessary during pregnancy.
Consult Your Physician
Before beginning any diet or change to your lifestyle, check with your doctor, especially when you are pregnant. Having a wide variety of foods in your diet during pregnancy will ensure that you are getting the vitamins and energy that your growing baby needs.
Considerations
During pregnancy you should be concerned with eating healthy foods that will allow your baby the best possible chance at a healthy life. You should be less concerned with weight loss, which is the goal of the South Beach Diet. The South Beach diet encourages eating portion controlled meals and eating healthy foods which is important during pregnancy. However, be sure not to limit your diet too much. Following phase two and three of the South Beach Diet is safe during pregnancy.
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