Pregnancy is one of those times in a woman's life when it seems everybody knows everything, and everybody is quite happy to share their vast knowledge. Add books, blogs (yes, we know we're no exception here), articles, and the dreaded Google Search, and it's hard to get a straight answer. One of the most common questions we get is, "How many calories should a pregnant woman eat?"   And, we have to say, it depends. There is no one-size-fits-all...

Monitoring Your Weight During Pregnancy: A Balanced Approach Pregnancy is a time when a woman's body goes through incredible changes, both physically and emotionally. Many women struggle with weight gain: not enough, too much, or simply just feeling uncomfortable with the changes to their bodies. And many women might feel embarrassed to discuss this with their partners, family members, or even ObGyn. Healthy, appropriate weight gain is part of every healthy pregnancy. One common question we get...

The choices a pregnant woman makes regarding her diet have far-reaching consequences, touching upon aspects such as fetal growth, organ development, and overall well-being.  Expecting mothers, even women who are considering starting a family, should not underestimate the role nutrition plays in reducing chances of complications during pregnancy and birth as well as reducing chances of their baby's having neural tube defects, developmental delays, congenital hypothyroidism, low birth weight, and more. It is never too late to...

A pregnancy nutritionist (RDN) is a specialized healthcare professional whose expertise lies in helping expecting mothers maintain optimal dietary and nutritional practices throughout their pregnancy (ideally before and after, as well). The nutritional needs of a woman going through pregnancy are incredibly unique, and varied, depending on the woman. We, as dietitians, love to say, "every bite counts." During pregnancy, this is true tenfold. Our goal, when working with expecting moms, revolves around safeguarding the health...

During pregnancy, our bodies take on a life of their own. Some women feel surges of energy, while others simply feel rotten. Seeing a nutritionist during pregnancy can be an incredibly beneficial step for both you and your developing baby. Proper nutrition during pregnancy is essential to reduce risks of complications during pregnancy and birth, as well as for the growth and development of your baby. Here are some risks associated with poor nutrition during pregnancy: Low...