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Seasonal Temptations

Sensible Holiday Eating During Pregnancy

By Teri Brown

" says Dr. Johnson. "Also, drinking at least 10 to 12, 8-ounce glasses of water is a minimum recommendation for my pregnant patients. Favoring fresh fruits is another excellent strategy for avoiding empty calories and overeating."

"Pregnant women can prevent excess weight gain during the holidays by enjoying seasonal favorites, in moderation, and skipping the mundane high-calorie snacks like nuts, chips and cheese chunks," says Andrews. "Indulge in a few holiday cookies, but don't make them your meal!"

Beyond keeping track of your snacking, Andrews also believes you should be careful not to drink your calories in the punches and eggnogs so prevalent at this time of year. Instead, stick to hot teas or sparkling water.

Joyce Brandon, mother of two from Joy, Ill., was in her 5th month of pregnancy as the holidays rolled around and knew her best bet was to allow herself the enjoyment of the holiday fare without too much guilt. "Cooking all the holiday foods was very tempting, and I decided I would eat what I liked on Thanksgiving and Christmas," says Brandon. "It's a good thing that my belly was so full of baby that I didn't have much room for all that rich food! I was never as hungry as I imagined myself to be and never could clean my plate."

Brandon did make sure that after the holidays she returned to her healthy eating and managed to keep her weight gain within her doctor's recommendation, which is completely in line with Andrews' philosophy of moderation.

"Savor a few seasonal cookies or fudge, but don't consider your pregnancy a green light to raid the holiday tin," says Andrews. "You're not eating for two – it's more like one and an eighth! On the other hand, don't beat yourself up if you binge now and then during the holidays. Just limit the empty calories at the next soir裬 and keep your weight in check."

For some women, it's easier to control caloric intake with buffet-style meals than it is with sit-down dinners. Simply take a large portion of vegetables and meat, and go back for a dessert when finished eating. You are more liable to be in control if your hunger pangs have abated. Note: One trip to the buffet is plenty. Don't give in to the urge to "get your money's worth" by getting seconds.

Andrews also suggests that pregnant women try to do some regular exercise to maintain fitness and burn up the extra holiday calories they'll likely consume. "Regular exercise has been found to make labor and postpartum recovery easier," says Andrews. "It also aids in postpartum weight loss and stress reduction. Walking is a great exercise for pregnant women that can be done year-round. I splurged on an elliptical trainer while I was pregnant and continue to use it while my baby naps. It's a great non-impact workout."

For most women, keeping the goodies in check is far more realistic than complete abstinence. Hunger and cravings during pregnancy are powerful, and when a table is laden with temptation, it's hard to resist giving in just a bit. When it comes to holiday eating, denying yourself isn't the key – moderation is.

Want to see more?

• Pregnancy During the Holidays: Avoiding the Extra Sweets and Treats of the Season
• Pregnancy Diet Donts: Foods to Avoid While You're Expecting
• Pregnant Through the Holidays: Getting Ready for Your Holiday Baby
• Holiday Headquarters
• Talk about it!