Diet Traps Every New Mom Faces

Trap #6: Not Eating All Day

But by dinnertime -- look out! You'll be eating everything in sight. "Not eating all day is one of the worst things you can do," says Grossman. While you won't technically gain weight just by consuming the majority of your calories in one shot, you will if you eat more than you burn. And that's more likely to happen if you deprive yourself during the day: "To compensate for the lack of fuel coming in, your metabolism will slow down and you'll burn fewer calories," says Grossman. You'll also feel cranky and lethargic. Grrr!

Food fix: To keep your energy high and your temper on an even keel, Grossman recommends not skipping meals -- no matter what. In fact, she suggests stoking the fire by eating something every three hours. Of course, with kids to take care of, eating regularly can be a challenge. One way to manage the situation is to take advantage of naptime. "I have my biggest meal -- lunch -- when the kids are down," says Ilise Kesslin. "It's a calmer meal, and I truly enjoy it because I'm not rushed."