Nicole Richie wants the world to know that she’s “playing by the rules” during her pregnancy. That includes cutting out caffeine, sushi, drugs, alcohol, and adding some extra pounds.
In part two of her interview on ABC’s Good Morning America, Richie tells Diane Sawyer that she’s prepared for the weight gain that comes with being pregnant.
"It's what my baby needs and to me, numbers don't mean anything. If I gain 40 pounds, if I gain 50 pounds, then that's obviously what my body needs to do. I'm totally OK with that," she says.
In fact, the four-months pregnant former reality star has already added 10 pounds to her slender frame.
"I eat all the time, especially now. I'm constantly hungry. I'm eating at least every hour," she says. "And just like any mother, you want to take the best care of yourself, especially while you're pregnant. I'm definitely eating healthier now."
However, Richie, 25, continues to deny that she ever suffered from an eating disorder.
"No, I do not have an eating disorder. I've never had an eating disorder, ever," Richie said. "It's anxiety, it's stress, it's just — it's just not being careful."
When asked by Sawyer if the weight loss was drug related, Richie says, "I think it possibly could have been."
She then apologized for any negative messages her thin body may have sent to impressionable young girls with body image issues. She said that, before, she hadn’t been ready to accept the responsibility that comes with being a public figure and role model.
"I'm really sorry for not accepting that earlier. It just — it took me a while."
Boyfriend Joel Madden of Good Charlotte has also dropped a few bad habits of his own.
"I had to quit smoking and I was a smoker, a pack and a half a day. That was hard. That was a rough week," Madden says.
Richie, who is due in five months, says she’s looking forward to being a role model for young girls.
"I'm here now and you know I can only control the future. I can't change the past. And you know, I plan to live a very healthy and respectable life and be a good example for little girls that are looking up to me."
