How many calories should I eat while pregnant?

I_GoT_ThIs

I just found out that I am pregnant, and I have been on a 1200 cal a day goal. I'm sure i'm going to need to up this, but it will be at least a week or two before I can get to the doctor to ask these questions. So, what would you say is a "safe" calorie intake for me untill I can talk to the doctor???

AlsDonkBoxSquat

google it, i know it's out there some where because i googled it when i was pregnant.

AlyRoseNYC

If you are already eating healthy, I don't see any reason to change what you are doing. Just continue to make smart choices.

afigueroa_pr

I believe the rule is an extra 30-35% of your calories.
Not sure though, could someone elaborate?

Thanks!

dayzeerock

First off, congrats (I hope)! Secondly, nobody on this site can tell you how many calories you need to eat. We don't know all of your information...your general health, how you metabolize things, etc. I would up it to at least 1500-1700 for now until you meet with your doctor. They are the ones who will be seeing you in real life and can determine this for you.

erickirb

I just found out that I am pregnant, and I have been on a 1200 cal a day goal. I'm sure i'm going to need to up this, but it will be at least a week or two before I can get to the doctor to ask these questions. So, what would you say is a "safe" calorie intake for me untill I can talk to the doctor???

I would suggest eating maintenance calories during your first trimester anyway (no more than a 250 cal deficit anyway), you usually need to add 200-300 more per day in the third trimester (ask your doctor)

miadvh

http://www.babycenter.com/0_the-13-rules-of-safe-pregnancy-exercise_622.bc

Edit: According to babycenter, take in an extra 300-500 calories a day.
2: Congrats on the pregnancy!

erickirb

I believe the rule is an extra 30-35% of your calories.
Not sure though, could someone elaborate?

Thanks!

No it is only an extra 200-300 per day and not necessary until the second and third trimester (we have a 10 month old so have gone through all of this stuff recently)

♥_Ellybean_♥

I think it's an extra 25% of calories, however, if your hungry I would not stick like glue to any calorie range within reason.. your baby needs foods to grow... just chose healthier options for you and your baby

acciomuscles

My common sense is telling me that you should not necessarily restrict calories, but just focus on eating nutrient-rich foods (that will benefit you and your baby!) Congratulations

AlyRoseNYC

Also, if you are not already drinking it, I suggest a cup of Red Raspberry Leaf tea daily. Not the flavored raspberry stuff. Actually raspeberry leaves. I drink the Yogi brand and they are starting to pop up a lot in most supermarkets. RRL helps with strengthening and toning the uterus. This can be very helpful in preparing for labor and the healing process after giving birth. It is especially beneficial if you are planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean.) You should read up on it

It does really taste horrible though lol. Kind of like tree bark. I usually steep it with a bag of pepermint tea or something equally strong to mask the taste.

schobert101

If you are already eating healthy, I don't see any reason to change what you are doing. Just continue to make smart choices.

No to this ^^^. She said she is on 1200 calories for weight loss. Not wise with the pregnancy. Refer to the subsequent responses.

gianna42

You don't need extra calories your 1st trimester - just a healthy diet full of nutrients and a supplement (prenatal vit, ideally) to make sure you get the folic acid you need. You should be seeing a doctor before your 2nd trimester, and he or she can advise you from there.

Oh - and I noticed the above 1200 calories. You should not be restricting calories while pregnant (meaning going below your maintenance intake).

ErrataCorrige

No it is only an extra 200-300 per day and not necessary until the second and third trimester (we have a 10 month old so have gone through all of this stuff recently)

This is right. I just had a baby last year and this is what the doctor said. Also, it is WAY more important to worry about your nutirient intake than your calorie intake. And don't forget the water!!!!


And congrats! babies rock!

vick9180

Your OB will likely recommend an increase of 300 calories per day. When pregnant, the focus shouldn't be on losing weight, but to be healthy for you and the growing baby, so you definitely need more than 1200 calories a day.

vim_n_vigor

Until you see your doctor, switch to maintenance. You don't really need extra calories at first.

BethHanson

You shouldn't have to add any calories to your diet until after the first three months of your pregnancy. That little one doesn't require much in the form of calories before than, it is more about the nutrition the little one is getting...take your supplements and eat right and you shouldn't have a problem....

lizziebeth1028

Congratulations! I would go on the advice of your OB. Best Wishes!

leandread

Congrats on your pregnancy--welcome to the club. I'm due early next year...My doctor told me that I didn't need to change my diet until the second trimester, but I do think you need to adjust your settings to higher than1200 because I am assuming that's your goal to lose a certain amount of pounds each week. Check out http://www.freedieting.com/tools/calorie_calculator.htm
its pretty useful to calculate pregnancy needs.

My midwife and ob/gyn said that i should adjust my calorie intake to maintain my weight during the first trimester, increase 200-300 calories per day during the second trimester and 400 calories additional during the 3rd trimester. I am really tall and still heavy and the caloric intake for my second trimester seems incredibly high for me because I was eating around 1500 calories/day to lose 1.5 lbs a week before I was pregnant. Now my goal is closer to 2300 calories per day and quite honestly, I never end up eating that much, even when I indulge in my cravings because for the most part I still eat very healthy foods that are whole grain, low in saturated fat and sodium. If you focus on eating heathy, drinking lots of water, getting your lean protein, leafy greens and a variety of fruit, you will probably not have to worry much about anything. I'm 16 weeks and I have only gained 2 pounds.

PuzzleGirl65

I would suggest you call your doctor's office. I'm sure someone there will give you some advice over the phone.

AlyRoseNYC

If you are already eating healthy, I don't see any reason to change what you are doing. Just continue to make smart choices.

No to this ^^^. She said she is on 1200 calories for weight loss. Not wise with the pregnancy. Refer to the subsequent responses.

With all due respect, this is part of the reason why we have so many obese new mothers. Pregnancy is not a disability, regardless of what the medical industry in this country would like us to believe. For an industrialized nation, we have the highest percentage of medicalized births, and our current cesarean rate (over 34%) is evidence that we are doing something wrong. Pregnant women around the world carry on with their lives without being treated as if they are cripples and give birth to healthy babies-at home.

I truly mean it when I say that I do not mean to come off as rude or anything like that. I have been obsessed with researching natural pregnancy and birth for the past three years, after having had an unecessarean.

I_GoT_ThIs

Thanks for the advice guys, I know I need to eat healthy and all that, and I KNOW 1200 is too low. That's just what it was set at by MFP for me to lose weight. I'm not focused of loosing weight right now, i'm focused on making sure i'm getting the right amount. Thanks again guys!!!

Pangea250

Caloric needs during pregnancy increase by about 300. But that is 300 on top of a "normal" diet, not the severe restriction of a 1200 calorie diet. Toss the diet out the window until you can meet with your OB and get his/her specific recommendations. Many OB's have nutritionists on staff to advise patients with special needs, or your OB can refer you to an outside nutritionist. I think it would be a good idea for you to consult with a nutritionist. Together, you can put together intake goals and meal plans that take both your pregnancy and your desire to lose weight into account.

Important: start taking prenatal vitamins with folic acid now . Over-the-counter prenatals are fine.

Pangea250

Also, if you are not already drinking it, I suggest a cup of Red Raspberry Leaf tea daily. Not the flavored raspberry stuff. Actually raspeberry leaves. I drink the Yogi brand and they are starting to pop up a lot in most supermarkets. RRL helps with strengthening and toning the uterus. This can be very helpful in preparing for labor and the healing process after giving birth. It is especially beneficial if you are planning a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean.) You should read up on it

It does really taste horrible though lol. Kind of like tree bark. I usually steep it with a bag of pepermint tea or something equally strong to mask the taste.

It's probably a good idea not to drink rasberry leaf tea until the 2nd & 3rd trimester.

Qarol

Call the doctor's office and ask one of the nurses. They'll be able to give you a quick enough answer to tide you over until you can make an appt. Seriously, don't ask anyone on here something that important.

Pangea250

Seriously, don't ask anyone on here something that important.

Ah. This is the best advice out of all the previous posts. Including mine.

godblessourhome

I would suggest eating maintenance calories during your first trimester anyway, you usually need to add 200-300 more per day in the second and third trimester (ask your doctor)

i hate seeing so much misinformation given. ^^this is the correct answer, unless you are verging on morbid obesity (if you are, your doctor will keep you on restricted calories until the third trimester). please make sure to take prenatals and get all the nutrients you need! congrats!

LilMissFoodie

With all due respect, this is part of the reason why we have so many obese new mothers. Pregnancy is not a disability, regardless of what the medical industry in this country would like us to believe. For an industrialized nation, we have the highest percentage of medicalized births, and our current cesarean rate (over 34%) is evidence that we are doing something wrong. Pregnant women around the world carry on with their lives without being treated as if they are cripples and give birth to healthy babies-at home.

I truly mean it when I say that I do not mean to come off as rude or anything like that. I have been obsessed with researching natural pregnancy and birth for the past three years, after having had an unecessarean.

You think we have a lot of obese mothers because we encourage people not to stick to ridiculous calorie goals like 1200 per day? In theory (although every body is different) 1200 calories is the absolute minimum amount to provide basic nutrition (if all your food is clean) so where is the nutrition for all the processes to grow the baby coming from? There is a lot of time in a persons life to lose weight if they need to and those 9 months of each pregnancy are not it.

Jovialation

AlyRoseNYC

With all due respect, this is part of the reason why we have so many obese new mothers. Pregnancy is not a disability, regardless of what the medical industry in this country would like us to believe. For an industrialized nation, we have the highest percentage of medicalized births, and our current cesarean rate (over 34%) is evidence that we are doing something wrong. Pregnant women around the world carry on with their lives without being treated as if they are cripples and give birth to healthy babies-at home.

I truly mean it when I say that I do not mean to come off as rude or anything like that. I have been obsessed with researching natural pregnancy and birth for the past three years, after having had an unecessarean.

You think we have a lot of obese mothers because we encourage people not to stick to ridiculous calorie goals like 1200 per day? In theory (although every body is different) 1200 calories is the absolute minimum amount to provide basic nutrition (if all your food is clean) so where is the nutrition for all the processes to grow the baby coming from? There is a lot of time in a persons life to lose weight if they need to and those 9 months of each pregnancy are not it.

No. I think we have a lot of obese new mothers because many women toss all restraint out of the window, and their loved ones tend to enable them by reassuring them that they are "eating for two." Yes, there is another life in there, but that doesn't mean we should overeat.

If the OP eats 1200 or 2000 calories of good, nutritious food, then good for her. But being very overweight can lead to a more difficult labor. I don't think that people should force themselves to lose weight during pregnancy, but if they are obese or overweight to begin with, and start (or continue) to eat healthy during their pregnancy, weight loss might happen inevitably. Really, it all comes down to not using pregnancy as an excuse to pig out.

And I am a firm believer that pregnancy is a natural biological process, and not a medical condition. For obese women, I don't feel like pregnancy is an excuse to take a break from their weight loss program, as long as they are eating enough, and eating well. It can only benefit them in the future

carlydonathan

Go to freedietingtools.com it has a place for you to enter if you're pregnant. I can tell you right now, this site and your doctor will probably be telling you not to restrict calories. 1200 is ridiculously low for a normal person on a diet too. You're supposed to gain weight while pregnant.

I was also wondering the same thing a OP. When I put my information in the freedietingtools.com calorie calculator, should I put my exercise level as Basal Metabolic Rate so I can get a base number? I have a HRM so I am able to track my calories burned and add them on MFP for the extra calories.

My first OB appt is in 2 weeks, but I want to start good eating habits now and not literally "eat for two". Thank you everyone!