The holidays are here! Being pregnant is confusing enough and during the holidays it can bring a whole new approach to celebrating this joyous season. Basically, a pregnant woman should approach the holidays just as a woman who is not pregnant. You want to make good decisions about foods, so you don't over-do it with calories and gain more weight than is necessary, and most importantly because you want your baby to be born as healthy as possible!

Here are some tips for you:

• If you are in your first trimester, remember -- you do not need any extra calories.
• If you are starving all the time, stay away from junk food. Mainly select fruits and vegetables to satisfy hunger. Have healthy snacks in between meals to carry you over until your next big meal. Choose foods that offer a lot of nutrients and not a lot of unneeded calories.
• If you are in your second or third trimester you only need consume an extra 300 calories (300 calories is approximately equal to a bagel, an 8-ounce glass of juice, and a couple slices of cheese).
• Never go to a party hungry; you will eat much more than you intended. Before going, eat a light meal or snack. Try an apple with peanut butter and a glass of milk, or have a salad with chicken breast on top, or a cup of cottage cheese and fruit.
• Exercise! Of course, see your physician to discuss appropriate exercises for your pregnancy.
• It is OK to have those delicious desserts, but monitor yourself and think about what you are eating. At parties, it is always easy to dive into all the different foods and before you know it, you have eaten way too much. Find someone willing to split the food with you.
• Stay away from alcohol. Go for virgin strawberry margaritas or sparkling cider. No amount of alcohol has been determined safe for pregnant women yet. Everyone has a different opinion about a safe amount. My opinion is that risking your baby's health is not worth a glass of wine -- especially when there are so many good non-alcoholic drinks out there.
• Most importantly, stop eating if you are full. A lot of pregnant women have problems with heartburn and eating too much can aggravate the problem. To avoid discomfort, listen to your body; it knows what foods are bothersome.
• One goal during pregnancy is to supply your growing baby with every advantage possible. That means providing nutrient-dense foods versus tons of empty calories. You have never had such a good reason to eat healthy! In the long run not only will your baby benefit, but so will you!

Have a safe and happy holiday season!

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