Posts Tagged ‘gaining weight’
Will you gain weight by quitting smoking during pregnancy?
June 28th, 2008
The general rule is that smokers can expect to gain around 2 – 3 kilos (around five pounds) after giving up the habit, mainly because they use food as a substitute for cigarettes and partly because nicotine helps speed up metabolism. Still, there aren’t any good studies showing how giving up smoking will affect weight gain during pregnancy.
Most women who give up smoking during pregnancy end up with a “normal” weight gain of 11-16 kg (25 to 35 pounds). For any woman, it’s really impossible to say how many of these extra pounds come from the pregnancy and how many come from stopping smoking.
If worries about weight have kept you from stopping smoking in the past, pregnancy is the perfect time to give up. You’ll have that urge to munch at a time when your baby needs the extra nutrition. If you’re concerned that you’re getting too heavy during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor or midwife. The solution might just be some exercise.
Quitting really takes all your energy and effort, so the best way to use exercise to help control weight after quitting might be to begin a regular exercise program. Exercise will help you keep your weight down, and it can also make it easier for you to quit and will provide you with an alternative activity that will help you make it through the most difficult parts of cigarette withdrawal. Adding just 10 minutes of walking to your daily routine should be enough to shave several pounds from your total weight gain.
You may also need to pay closer attention to your diet. High-calorie snacks aren’t the only way to fill the void left by cigarettes. A piece of fruit, or a healthy snack such as an oatcake or cereal bar, will work just as well as a doughnut.
Even if giving up smoking does add a few extra pounds, you have to look at the big picture. Those pounds won’t pose any threat to your baby. The same can’t be said for cigarettes.
Being overweight and pregnant raises your risk of some pregnancy complications. If you’re concerned about your weight, talk to your midwife or doctor and get tips on healthy eating during pregnancy.
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