Im pregnant, how many calories should i eat to maintain?

davery1985
davery1985 Posts: 142 Member
in Goal: Maintaining Weight
Hi guys!!
Im currently 14 weeks pregnant and need to know how many calories I should be eating just to maintain my weight. I am 28 years old, 5 feet 6 inches and weigh 161lb. I was eating 1500 calories before I got pregnant when I was loosing weight. I just want to be healthy for me and my baby now im over the morning sickness part and can actually eat normal again! Hopefully theres other ladies out there who are in a similar situation to me that can help. :happy:
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Replies

  • firstsip
    firstsip Posts: 8,399 Member
    What did your doctor say?
  • AprilTom
    AprilTom Posts: 27 Member
    Talk to your doctor, but you shouldn't count calories while pregnant. Eat healthy foods in frequent small amounts and drink a lot of water. Your not going to be able to maintain your weight while pregnant you are going to gain, but that is what your body is supposed to do.
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    What did your doctor say?

    This.

    But the general rule I was told was to eat 300 calories above my maintenance level. You're on a bulk for the next 9 months or so, so enjoy it. :flowerforyou:

    ETA: Congrats on your pregnancy!
  • davery1985
    davery1985 Posts: 142 Member
    Oh yes I know ill gain weight because of the baby. That's a given :smile: I just mean I want to be as healthy as I can and eat like I was maintaining so I don't over eat like I did when I had my first child. Doctors said I was a healthy weight, and just gave me some leaflets about the benefits of veg and fruit. xx
  • davery1985
    davery1985 Posts: 142 Member
    What did your doctor say?

    This.

    But the general rule I was told was to eat 300 calories above my maintenance level. You're on a bulk for the next 9 months or so, so enjoy it. :flowerforyou:

    ETA: Congrats on your pregnancy!

    Ah great that helps :smile: Thank you so much :flowerforyou:
  • MoreBean13
    MoreBean13 Posts: 8,701 Member
    Talk to your doctor, but you shouldn't count calories while pregnant. Eat healthy foods in frequent small amounts and drink a lot of water. Your not going to be able to maintain your weight while pregnant you are going to gain, but that is what your body is supposed to do.

    There's nothing wrong with counting calories when pregnant if you're trying to control your nutrition and make sure to get the right amount. I've had multiple friends on here use MFP while pregnant as a tool to regulate their nutrition, and they've been very successful at it. Plus it can help monitor trends, and be useful for your doctor to see if something comes up.
  • FitMama2013
    FitMama2013 Posts: 913 Member
    Join this group: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/1920-fit-fabulous-pregnant-

    There are wonderful ladies there and lots of helpful information to answer your questions :) I ate maintenance first trimester, +300 in the second trimester, and didn't really log in my third (oops!)
  • carrieous
    carrieous Posts: 1,024 Member
    i'd say 2400. 2000 for you to maintain and 400 extra for the pregnancy
  • Holly_Roman_Empire
    Holly_Roman_Empire Posts: 4,440 Member
    Talk to your doctor, but you shouldn't count calories while pregnant. Eat healthy foods in frequent small amounts and drink a lot of water. Your not going to be able to maintain your weight while pregnant you are going to gain, but that is what your body is supposed to do.

    There's nothing wrong with counting calories when pregnant if you're trying to control your nutrition and make sure to get the right amount. I've had multiple friends on here use MFP while pregnant as a tool to regulate their nutrition, and they've been very successful at it. Plus it can help monitor trends, and be useful for your doctor to see if something comes up.

    Yep, this. I used MFP during pregnancy less for calorie counting and more for making sure I got enough nutrients. I tracked things like protein, fats, and calcium. Even if you just ate when you were hungry and not trying to meet certain calories, your baby will be fine. Just remember while pregnant, your baby's nutritional needs will be met before your own. So if you're not getting enough of something, your baby will pull it from your body, and you will be the one lacking. Just make sure the baby AND you get enough of everything.
  • lisalsd1
    lisalsd1 Posts: 1,519 Member
    Like other people have said, figure out your maintenance weight and then add about 300 cals. I did this with my second pregnancy, gained about 35 lbs (I started out around 130lbs). When I was exclusively bfing (for the first 6 months), I did maintenance + 400- 500cals. I dropped down to about maintenance cals while bfing from 6 mos to 1 year...I lost the 35lbs in about 7 months and kept my milk supply up. It isn't an exact science, but this worked for me.
  • susanmc31
    susanmc31 Posts: 287 Member
    http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm

    This is the calculator I used to determine how many calories I should be eating. I am 19 weeks now :)

    Congrats on your pregnancy!
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    I'm not pregnant but I put 5ft2 120lbs into the calculator just for fun and it reckons I should eat 1324 cals in my first trimester....not sure many doctors would agree this is healthy...
  • CJBateman81
    CJBateman81 Posts: 6 Member
    When I was pregnant, I just changed the setting in my profile to "maintain weight" instead of "lose 2 pounds a week" in the goals part and it changed my calories to the amount I needed for my weight and kept track that way.
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I'm not pregnant but I put 5ft2 120lbs into the calculator just for fun and it reckons I should eat 1324 cals in my first trimester....not sure many doctors would agree this is healthy...

    Yeah, I got 1935. But I eat 1850. To lose weight. /head scratch
  • ALittleBitLess1
    ALittleBitLess1 Posts: 119 Member
    I just tried that calculator, I am 5ft 2, starting weight of 60kg, it suggested 1589 1st tri, 1789 2nd tri and 1989 3rd tri. This would be about right for me. in pre pregnancy life I put on weight if I eat more than 1500 a day.
    Incidentally I am 17 weeks now and have put on 10-12lbs not the recommended 5-6lbs, oops!
  • ngressman
    ngressman Posts: 229 Member
    I would forget about calories if I were you. Just eat lean proteins, lots of fruits and veggies, low fat dairy. Avoid giving in to cravings and fast food binges. Talk to your doctor to see how much he wants you to gain this pregnancy. On my last pregnancy the doctor said he only wanted me to gain 7-8 pounds. Remember when people say you are eating for two that one of those is less than 10 pounds.
  • susanmc31
    susanmc31 Posts: 287 Member
    Interesting readings that you all got. When I did it I got over 2300 calories which seemed correct for me. Maybe it is not the best calculator???
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I'm not pregnant but I put 5ft2 120lbs into the calculator just for fun and it reckons I should eat 1324 cals in my first trimester....not sure many doctors would agree this is healthy...

    You have to know the tool.

    You selected BMR, didn't you, that's the only way to hit that low of number.
    BMR is NOT maintenance, unless you slept all day long. BMR doesn't even include the energy burned digesting food.

    Be honest with your activity level, now what do you get?
  • Still1Workoutatatime
    Still1Workoutatatime Posts: 250 Member
    What did your doctor say?

    This ..
  • DebbieLyn63
    DebbieLyn63 Posts: 2,654 Member
    With my fist child I gained 65 lbs. She weighed 7 lbs 3 days past term.
    Lost all the weight plus some within 6 months.
    Second child, didn't gain a lb until third trimester. Morning sickness was so bad that all I could eat was fruit, veggies, and cottage cheese.
    Ended up gaining 30 over the next 3 months. Baby weighed 7 lbs 3 oz at term, and has been healthy all her life.

    Check with your doctor for nutrition info. Mine told me that during the first half of the pregnancy, the baby really didn't take any extra calories. Once they start growing quickly, then you need the extra. But again, check with yours to be sure.
  • cocolo89
    cocolo89 Posts: 1,169 Member
    I ditto joining that pregnancy group. I ate maintance which was 1600 for first tri, second tri I ate 1700 and third tri I ate 1800-1900. whoops. I gained about 33-34lbs and exercised 3-4days a week until I gave birth at 39wks 5days.lol. SOOOO good luck!! I too was on 1500 cals before pregnancy :))

    edit**oh my baby boy was perfectly healthy weighing 7lbs 6oz :))
  • kristilynne84
    kristilynne84 Posts: 26
    Congratulations on your pregnancy!!! :):):)

    I have a master's degree in nurse-midwifery and had some thoughts on this... :)

    First of all, good for you for doing good things to keep yourself healthy during your pregnancy! You probably know this but it is very important that you gain the amount of weight that your doctor/midwife recommended and not try to "diet" while pregnant. If you gain none or too little weight, it can be very dangerous for your baby--it puts the baby at risk for growth problems.

    So, I would advise not counting your calories, but instead eat protein plus carbs with each meal/snack, and plenty of fruits/vegetables. Your doctor/midwife should be getting your weight at each visit and helping monitor things with your weight--they will let you know if you are gaining too much or too little. But just so you are aware, people with "normal" pre-pregnant BMIs should gain 25-35 lbs during pregnancy, "underweight" BMI should gain more like 35-45 lbs, and "overweight" people should gain 15-25 lbs. If a person is in the obese category prior to pregnancy, 11-20 lbs is recommended.

    Point being, don't try too hard and stress about counting calories--instead eat every few hours, eat a well-balanced diet, and ENJOY being pregnant and getting ready for your new baby!!!

    (plus, a bonus: if you plan on breastfeeding, you will lose "baby weight" faster!!!) ;)
  • Achrya
    Achrya Posts: 16,913 Member
    I'm not pregnant but I put 5ft2 120lbs into the calculator just for fun and it reckons I should eat 1324 cals in my first trimester....not sure many doctors would agree this is healthy...

    You have to know the tool.

    You selected BMR, didn't you, that's the only way to hit that low of number.
    BMR is NOT maintenance, unless you slept all day long. BMR doesn't even include the energy burned digesting food.

    Be honest with your activity level, now what do you get?

    I had to tell it I work out everyday to even get it above 2100 (Which is about my maintenance). I only work out 3 days a week.
  • mamahannick
    mamahannick Posts: 322 Member
    I think the *general* recommendation is maintenance for the first trimester, +100-300 above maintenance second, and +300-500 above maintenance for third and while breastfeeding.
    Try not to get too caught up in it though. I micromanaged my calories during pregnancy and didn't eat enough, and it resulted in lack of weight gain on both my part and my daughter's part. I was induced at 37 weeks because she wasn't thriving properly anymore. She was 6 lbs 4 oz and thankfully as healthy as can be, but calorie counting because of my paranoia of gaining too much should NOT have been my priority. I would instead focus on eating nutrient-rich foods and not focus on the numbers too much. :)
  • heybales
    heybales Posts: 18,842 Member
    I'm not pregnant but I put 5ft2 120lbs into the calculator just for fun and it reckons I should eat 1324 cals in my first trimester....not sure many doctors would agree this is healthy...

    You have to know the tool.

    You selected BMR, didn't you, that's the only way to hit that low of number.
    BMR is NOT maintenance, unless you slept all day long. BMR doesn't even include the energy burned digesting food.

    Be honest with your activity level, now what do you get?

    I had to tell it I work out everyday to even get it above 2100 (Which is about my maintenance). I only work out 3 days a week.

    You probably have better metabolism compared to others with same age, weight, height, because of having more LBM than average.
    If you knew BF%, you could probably use the Katch option, that might get it up there to reality.

    But the example I was commenting on, the only way I could hit her number given was selecting BMR which is incorrect usage of tool - or about 60 yrs old and sedentary.
  • leilaphoenix
    leilaphoenix Posts: 839 Member
    If I get pregnant I look forward to sleeping all day :)
  • runningincognito
    runningincognito Posts: 34
    My midwife told me to eat 300 calories more than maintenance plus exercise calories. I did exactly that and had 15 pounds to lose after I had my daughter to get back to maintenance.
  • Twinmamamarion
    Twinmamamarion Posts: 33 Member
    I *begged* for nutrition/caloric guidelines when I was pregnant, and just got the "eat healthy" from my doctor....proceeded to gain 65 pounds (which is how I landed here...ha!) with my twins who came prematurely. I didn't get any real guidance until I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. I would again ask your doc, but I'd guess 1800-2100 is good. Make sure you eat plenty of lean protein and calcium. :) Good luck mama, and congratulations!
  • davery1985
    davery1985 Posts: 142 Member
    Thank you all so much for taking the time to comment, your all lovely!! I have set my diary to maintain my weight, and my calories are 1830 per day. I will definitely be trying to eat really well with veg, fruit, carbs and protein so I can hit my daily calories :smile: In my first pregnancy my doctor and midwife only weighed me the first time I went to see them which isn't great! Its 3 years since then and its thankfully now changed, they weigh you every time you go and see them.
    Thanks everyone!! :flowerforyou:
  • xmysterix
    xmysterix Posts: 114 Member
    Congrats on your pregnancy! I'm just over 3 months along and have been sticking at roughly 1900-2200 cals per day. I'm already overweight and gained a LOT with my first pregnancy so I'm trying to keep things fairly level, this time, allowing for ~10kg (22 lbs) of gain.

    Nutritionally, bad nausea had me eating white carbs and little else for nearly two months just to keep it tolerable, but I think I've turned the corner on that. Now I'm having a homemade veggie/fruit juice daily (pulp saved for hi-fiber muffins!), lots of salads and vegetarian dinners to keep my nutrient intake up, a good deal of fish and grass-fed beef, and plenty of moderate indulgences (NUTELLA!) to keep me going hehe. Now that the nausea has eased I'm going to start regular level-road walks (no hills as I've suffered SPD before) and some light pregnancy workouts.

    I've put on a total of 2kg (~4.5 lbs) but that hasn't increased since the worst nausea at 9wks so I think I've found the right caloric niche for me. I'm bigger than you, so I imagine if you start with your ~1800 plan and don't stop yourself from adding healthy snacks if/when you are still hungry, you'll be good as gold! Good luck with everything!

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