I gained 30 pounds in college that I never could shake—until last month, when after six months of dieting I finally dropped the last pound. But two weeks later, I found out I was pregnant, and it was as if I had a license to binge on all my favorites: hot dogs, French fires, and Doritos. Since then I’ve regained 15 pounds! How can I control my weight now without jeopardizing my baby’s health?
First and foremost, pregnancy is no time to diet-you need to consume at least 300 extra calories per day during your second and third trimesters. But to keep weight gain within the recommended 30-pound range, fill up on scale-friendly lean protein, fruits and veggies. And take a daily calorie-burning stroll, which will also reduce pregnancy complications, such as varicose veins and diabetes.