Eating for two is a myth

6th September 2010

The 'eating for two' myth is making pregnant women fat.....

 

According to NICE (the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence) almost one in six women are obese at the start of pregnancy. As a resuly NICE has published guidance on weight management before, during and after pregnancy which is aimed at health professionals such as midwives and GP's. 

Health experts are worried that myths such as eating for two in pregnancy are fuelling the epidemic levels of overweight and obese pregnant women.

Professor Poston, Director of maternal and foetal research at Kings College London says that obese women faced a greater risk of "almost every complication in the book in pregnancy"; including pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, miscarriage and maternal death.

Research also suggests that obese women are more likely to have induced or longer labour, higher risk of caesarian section, post partum haemorrhage and can cause problems breastfeeding.

However Annie Anderson, Professor at Dundee University Health Nutrition research centre said "Pregnancy is absolutely not the time to diet, but neither is it the time to eat for two"

Therefore the advice was to follow a rounded and balanced regime:

• Eat a diet rich in fruit, veg and fibre carbohydrates
• Avoid excessively increasing your calorie intake
• Make activities such as walking and swimming a part of every day life

 

So at last the government is waking up to the benefits of exercise, healthy eating and lifestyle in pregnancy.......

And thank goodness for BloomingFit to show you how to have a healthy, balanced, safe and nutritious pregnancy and motherhood

 

 

 

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