Be cautious of your weight and check foods to avoid during pregnancy. Bigger may not be better in pregnancy, according to Dr Adrian Tan, a senior consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at ACJ Women’s Clinic at Thomson Medical Centre.

Why you should watch your weight

“Some mothers are preoccupied with their weight gain and they have the misconception that they should eat voraciously for baby to grow,” said Dr Tan. “Truth is, if you put on too much weight, you tend to have a bigger baby. It is harder to deliver big babies and more difficult for the mother to lose the extra weight eventually.”

It is normal to gain weight during pregnancy, however you should be able to monitor your weight to make sure you are not gaining too much or too little weight. The Health Promotion Board recommends an increase of calorie intake of 300 calories per day during the second trimester, and of 450 calories the third trimester¹. If you are underweight, you can try snacking healthy snacks such as nuts, dried fruits, and cheese in between meals. However if you are overweight, try to opt for low fat high-fibre snacks if you are hungry².

The secret to a healthy pregnancy diet

A balanced diet that includes a wide variety of food from different groups, focusing on high nutrient foods and watching the total caloric intake, is recommended for pregnant women.

“Women should concentrate on a high nutrient diet – more fresh fruits and vegetables without piling on empty calories: that is, less carbohydrates and fats.”

Folic acid supplements before and during pregnancy have been proven to be effective in preventing brain and spinal malformations in babies³. The best sources for folic acid can also be found in fortified foods such as cereals and milk.

Some doctors may also advise pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers to add multi-vitamins, calcium and DHA supplements to their diet.

Dr Tan explained: “There is merit in supplementing your diet with the recommended dosages of supplements. But a balanced diet, coupled with regular exercise and a renewed focus on positive family relationships, is still key to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.”

References:

¹ Health Promotion Board of Singapore. Retrieved on 15 March, 2021 from: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1568/pregnancy-weight-gain-checklist 
² Health Promotion Board of Singapore. Retrieved on 15 March, 2021 from: https://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/928/pregnancy-nutrition-during-pregnancy-eating-right-for-twohttps://www.healthhub.sg/live-healthy/1568/pregnancy-weight-gain-checklist 
³ WebMD. Retrieved on August 31, 2015 from: http://www.webmd.com/baby/folic-acid-and-pregnancy.