Pregnancy, calories & weight gain

rhetoricalliz
rhetoricalliz Posts: 4 Member
edited November 13 in Health and Weight Loss
I am 6 weeks pregnant & trying not to gain too much. I'm someone who has lost a significant amount of weight (almost 200#s) in the past 2 1/2 years & still wasn't to goal yet. I am afraid that coming from a place of keeping calories low to lose and now trying to make sure that I'm eating enough for the baby...man! Out on websites they estimate my calorie intake based on weight and height to more than double my pre-pregnancy intake. If I do that then I will gain a tremendous amount in no time. Just having kept my calories low for the past 2 years (most days 1200-1400 with a higher cal day about once a week) means that even adding a little extra equals weight gain. Healthy pregnancy is my goal obviously, but I also know whatever I do now I have to undo later. Decided for now to up my calorie intake to 1500-1700. The websites I visit say don't add any more calories in 1st tri, but then also say I should be eating 2400 cal. It's very confusing so I'm trying to keep it reasonable. I see the Dr next month & I will ask him then. In the meantime, does anyone else have any experience with this?

Replies

  • ladyreva78
    ladyreva78 Posts: 4,080 Member
    From what I understand (haven't had children so no experience from me) is that you should eat at maintenance that 1st trimester and then slowly add (up to 200 above maintenance for last? someone correct me please).

    Your plan sounds like a good starting place. But if you notice any loss, perhaps keep on uping your calories until you reach maintenance.

    It's definitely a good idea to talk to your doctor. Maybe try calling already with this question to avoid basing yourself on generic internet advice? One month can be a long time to fret and worry. :smiley:


    Oh and... congrats on the pregnancy AND the amazing loss!
  • PAV8888
    PAV8888 Posts: 14,307 Member
    You can estimate your approximate pre pregnancy TDEE from your pre-pregnancy rate of loss compared against your "perceived" deficit. It is not unusual to have a lower tdee after a long period of deficit eating, or after a period of really large deficits, or combination of the two. 33% lower is quite significant though. if accurate, hopefully, some of that will reverse after a period of eating at or above (actual) maintenance. Maybe up by an extra 100 every week or two till you approach closer to the estimate?
  • susanmc31
    susanmc31 Posts: 287 Member
    When I got pregnant I changed my goals on here to maintenance and try to eat close to that. You are six weeks along (congratulations!), so I would do what PAV8888 said and start upping your calories 100 at a time, don't deny food if you are hungry and make sure you get a good amount of nutrients. Have you experienced any nausea or vomiting yet? I found my first trimester, I was ravenous but has settled into the second and now third trimester. Your doctor will tell you how much they expect you to gain in this pregnancy.

    Congrats on the amazing weight loss and the baby on the way!
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