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Fit and Pregnant
How to Have a Healthy Pregnancy
By Melissa Granberry
Healthy eating and regular exercise keep us fit. And pregnancy is a time when we need to be extra vigilant about what we're putting into our bodies because we are feeding two people, one of whom needs the best start in life possible. Here is some expert advice on what to eat, what to avoid and, more importantly, how to stay fit during this exciting time of your life.
First Trimester
Eating
Discovering that you are pregnant is exhilarating. You feel like turning cartwheels and jumping for joy, except you are too exhausted to move from the couch. How can you possibly stay fit during the first trimester?
To have enough energy for exercise, you must first eat. Though food may seem like the last thing your nauseous stomach needs, often a small snack cures queasiness.
"Keeping a handful of gingersnaps in your desk or purse helps," says Jayne Martin-Dressing, a mother from Cincinnati, Ohio. "Ginger has a calming effect on the stomach." Stick to bland foods such as turkey sandwiches and plain pasta. Additional stomach soothers include chicken broth, lemonade and peppermint tea.
If your stomach is feeling fine, take advantage of this first trimester to start eating healthy. Nutrient-dense foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables, dairy and lean meats, will boost your energy level and help maintain your fitness.
Exercise
With your doctor's approval, you can continue the exercise routine you practiced prior to pregnancy. "I was already walking 30 minutes to 45 minutes every other day when I became pregnant, so I continued that routine," says Lisa Andrews, a clinical dietitian at the VA Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Prenatal yoga is another great exercise in the first trimester. Sue Elkind, a certified Anusara yoga teacher and host of the exercise video Crunch Yoga Mama
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