Before you begin exercising, remember that it is important to talk to your doctor. If you are already exercising, you may be able to keep up with your routine and adapt it as you grow. Keep your heart rate under 160 beats per minute and avoid overheating, especially in your first trimester.

It is important that you eat a variety of nutritious foods during your pregnancy to ensure that your body and the baby that is growing inside of you get all the right nutrients, and also to ensure that you control your weight gain. If you choose to eat a variety of nutritious foods, you will be assured of consuming adequate calories and an ideal weight gain.

QUESTION

Dear Fitness Expert,
I am about six to seven weeks pregnant. I am experiencing bleeding though my doctor says my baby is ok. But because of the continuous bleeding, she asked me to stop all my workouts. Though I was not professional athlete before pregnancy, I was swimming and weight training about 5 times a week. I feel a bit depressed that I am not able to work out.

by damomma

Recent trends in child nutrition and health have proven that breastfeeding is the best nutritional choice for newborns. But the culture of artificially feeding babies does not stop at the bottle. Modern American marketing genius has caused most parents to think that there is some special magic in the little glass jars of baby food sold at the market. It is so ingrained it seems obvious: dogs eat dog food and babies eat baby food.

The truth is that prepackaged baby foods are expensive, nutritionally inferior, and only slightly more convenient than the do-it-your-self kind.

QUESTION

Dear Nutritionist,
Help! I feel terrible about myself!

My question is about excessive weight gain during pregnancy. Before my pregnancy, I was very happy with my size - 5'6" and 128 pounds. I'm now 23 weeks pregnant and have gained 24 pounds. I'm worried that I'm on track to gain an excessive amount of weight. I'm too afraid to ask my doctor about this because she is very heavy and I don't want to be offensive.

First and foremost, the baby is doing great - very healthy and growing beautifully.

QUESTION

Dear Nutritionist,
Hello. I'm a 28-year-old who recently found out she was (unexpectedly) pregnant. I realize I'm a little behind the power curve, but I have every incentive now to improve my health. My diet is varied and I eat lots of fruits/vegetables/nuts/lean meats. I just haven't been disciplined enough to limit my portion sizes.

QUESTION

Dear Nutritionist,
I am 26 years old and 17 weeks pregnant with my first baby. In the first trimester I lost 9 pounds due to not feeling well and lack of appetite. Since about week 13 my appetite has better, but I have still only gained 2 of the lbs back.

How quickly should I be gaining and do you suggest any certain foods to help? I have added a boost supplement daily and try to eat a well balanced diet with many snacks in between my meals. My doctor checked my thyroid levels which were normal.

QUESTION

Dear Nutritionist,
What should a 14-month-old baby be eating?

Thanks.