Pregnant, fatigued and fat

Dear Donovan,

I am four months pregnant and extremely fatigued. This is my third child and I never usually experience these feelings until the last trimester. On top of that, I am also packing on pounds rapidly. I am 5 feet 6 and a half inches tall and my weight was 130 before the pregnancy. I am now 180 lbs and it’s just four months. I know every pregnancy is different, but I don’t want to gain too much weight and have difficulty dropping it when the baby arrives. Please recommend foods that can help me combat the fatigue. Also, how can I tailor my diet to halt my weight gain without starving myself?

In a general way I believe all pregnancies should be prepared for by making sure that the body is totally healthy and at the right weight to start the pregnancy. It is generally wise for overweight women to lose some weight before getting pregnant, and to consult with a nutritionist before and during their pregnancy.

You have definitely put on too much weight in the first four months of your pregnancy. If you continue to gain weight at this rate, it could lead to back pains, varicose veins, gestational diabetes and hypertension, to name a few ailments.

That aside, I wish you had given me some idea of what you are presently eating and also what your activity level is like. The fact that you are feeling so lethargic could be due to your weight as well as your diet. At this stage it is very important to slow down your weight gain and consume a healthy diet for you and your child. At the same time you must ensure that you are getting enough healthy physical activity.

Overall, the amount of calories will have to be reduced in order to slow down your weight gain, but it must be done in a healthy way. Having a diet which provides all the proper nutrients in the right amounts for you and your child is very important. So having a health professional assessing your nutritional needs at this stage and going forward is very important.

Your diet should consist mainly of fruits, vegetables, vegetable juices, soups, salads, whole grains, meal replacement shakes, etc. The main aim would be to reduce the calories and at the same time promote health for you and the child. Fried foods, pastries, white bread and flour, sodas, pastas and foods high in carbohydrates and simple sugars should be avoided. In addition, eating several small meals instead of two to three large meals per day would be helpful. Above all, don’t wait too long between meals, as this could cause you to overeat.

Good luck!

We will answer your weight-related questions

Are you struggling to lose weight, or just need some advice on living a healthier life? Tell us about your health issues and we’ll have nutritionist and wellness coach Donovan Grant answer them for you. Grant has over 12 years’ experience in the fitness industry and is the owner of DG’s Nutrition and Wellness Centre, 39 Lady Musgrave Road. Call him at 876-286-1363. E-mail questions to clarkep@jamaicaobserver.com.