Diet Pills And Pregnancy

You're four months pregnant, and every time you look in the mirror you shudder-or, worse yet, you burst out bawling! Baby Huey isn't inside your womb; he IS you! So, you swing by the Pill and Swill Drug Store down the street to check out some of those "herbal" diet pills. Your doctor has already told you that diet pills are absolutely taboo at any stage of pregnancy, but he didn't say anything about not taking herbal weight-loss supplements. Everybody says herbs are good for you, too!

You carefully read every word on the boxes. A few warn "Pregnant women should not use this product," but most don't have that warning, so they must be fine for you. After all, the FDA regulates this kind of stuff.

Actually, the Food and Drug Administration regulation of non-prescription weight-loss products and herbal supplements is quite limited. This is because many "natural" weight loss products are labeled as "food supplements," and not as non-prescription drugs, which the FDA does regulate. In fact, most of these "supplements"-whether in pills, capsules or teas-are cathartic in nature, acting as a laxative.

Over the years, several deaths have been attributed to over the counter weight loss supplements. With weight loss resulting from frequent loose stools or diarrhea, the body loses water weight rather than fat. The resulting dehydration and loss of electrolytes, especially potassium, can lead to paralysis, impaired organ function, drastic fluctuation of blood glucose levels, heart arrhythmia, stroke, and even death.

That sounds pretty grim, doesn't it?

The truth is, you shouldn't take any weight loss product while you're pregnant unless it is specifically approved by your doctor, and under his or her careful observation. The best way to reach a healthy weight before, during and after pregnancy is to eat nutritious foods, stick to your daily calorie intake guidelines, take regular, moderate exercise approved for pregnant women, and to take the prenatal vitamins prescribed by your doctor.

Actually, the best course to take to a healthy pregnancy is a good diet plan.

A diet plan incorporates nutritious foods, eaten in several small meals throughout the day, moderate exercise, and drinking at least six to eight full glasses of water per day. A good rule of thumb for distinguishing more nutritious foods from those with fewer nutrition values is "The closer to natural, the better for you." Whole grain breads, cereals and brown rice are better for you than white bread or other foods made from bleached or highly processed grains. Personally, I love the crunchy bits of whole grain breads!

So, where's the good news, after all this doom and gloom?

The good news is that there is a new webs site that can teach you how to eat your way to a healthy pregnancy weight. It helps you plan delicious and nutritious meals and snacks by choosing from the Five Food Groups, and gives tips for living a healthier lifestyle.

To sum it all up, you really don't need diet pills, no matter what name they go by. So tell Pill and Swill to shove all their bogus "weight loss supplements!" You don't need them because you know how to manage your pregnancy weight by eating your way to a healthy weight!