Before trying to get pregnant, I decided I was going to lose all the excess weight first. Then I came to the realization that if I was waiting to lose weight to get pregnant, I was never going to be a mom. So I went into my pregnancy already 15 pounds overweight and proceeded to eat anything that wasn’t walking or nailed down. So it was no surprise that I packed on another 40.

The majority of women who have been pregnant will vouch for me when I say that the excessive weight gain is a very easy thing to accomplish. But it’s not as easy to lose afterwards. If you read my previous blog about my experience with my postpartum body, then you know that eating anything that’s not nailed down does not have a happy ending. But it’s also important to realize that to an extent, weight gain is important for the baby. So where’s the happy medium? There is a recommended amount of weight that you should gain and it depends on two factors: whether you are pregnant with one child or multiple children, and your current body mass index (BMI).

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the recommended weight gain for women who are pregnant with one child is as follows: If you are underweight, meaning you have a BMI of less than 18.5, you should gain 25-40 pounds. If you are a normal weight, with a BMI of 18.5-24.9, you should gain 25-35 pounds. If you are overweight, with a BMI of 25-29.9, you should gain 15-25 pounds. And lastly, if you are considered obese with a BMI greater or equal to 30, you should only gain 11-20 pounds. (These numbers are for women pregnant with one child. For twins, the recommended weight gain is higher.) There are free BMI calculators all over the web so you can easily figure out what category you fit into. You should also speak with your health care provider about how much weight they would like to see you gain as well because other factors specific to you may also play a role in your pregnancy.

Now of course this weight gain should come from eating a healthy, balanced diet to ensure your baby is getting the nutrients it needs. Unlike my first pregnancy diet of donuts, chips and dip, and pizza. Of course I did eat healthy foods as well, it’s just that I ate way more junk food than I should have and then I had to deal with it afterwards.

If you are eating the right types of foods, meaning a healthy, balanced diet, then you should be on track with getting baby what they need. And the occasional treat is more than ok!