MFP Recommended Calories During Pregnancy ..Your Results?
AGIBBS80
Posts: 24
I am pregnant about to approach my second trimester and following eating at "maint" my first Tri and plan to do the recommended "gain .5lb" in second and "gain 1lb" in the third...by changing my settings/nutritional goals in MFP. But i want to know who of you followed that recommendation that is all over the boards and what you results were. Did you gain on average the .5 and 1lb?
0
Replies
-
at this point I'm not really looking at calories. I'm just in my first tri right now and eating what I can. Days Ill hit 1500 and days ill hit 1800. When tracking with my son I kept my first tri calories maintaining (which for me was 1600, and then second tri I upped to 1700 and 3rd tri I upped 1800-1900) I gained total of 33-34lbs and lost almost all of it. Hes 15months now and surprise, found out I'm pregnant, just had 2-3lbs left to lose. I also breastfed him for 13months. losing weight while breastfeeding is hard!!! it does not MELT off lol. I'm focusing more on healthy eating this pregnancy that I am on calories. With my son I ate fairly healthy but I was more focused on calories, I used to eat a ton of breads and pastas and I have cut out all white flour products from my diet and limit on sweets. I'll see how this goes. I haven't been tracking calories for a while but I started tracking today to see around what number I get.0
-
I'm at 13 weeks now and went from 1200 a day to 1450 when I found out I was pregnant. Morning sickness made it hard to hit my old goal for a while but after that wore off (woohoo!) I usually stay in the 1500-1700 range. Some days I feel like eating everything so I stick to raw fruits and veggies as my snacks. I lost 3 pounds at the start but have since gained back 2 and stayed there for a month now. I'm not looking to gain the 55 I did with my son. I was 145 before which puts me in the healthy range at 5'6. Just eat as healthy as possible and the calories should stay where they are supposed to.0
-
thank you! although everyone is different that tells me the recommended 300 in 2nd with antoher 300 in 3rd might be overkill. You did a small increase and still gained the required/recommended weight. My maint. is 1,630 and I hit that everyday - and have gained 4 in my first tri-mester....so although I have it set to maintaince i have gained and i attribute that to blood and perhaps fluid. I want to have a healthy steady gain and not be trying to work my tale off post pregnancy to get off extra weight that could have been avoided while still being healthy and getting in proper whole nutrution for my little one
0 -
Thank you. Pre-pregnancy I was in the cusp of being underweight and I was worried about being under weight/under body fat...so I went banannas my first month @ getting in 2,500 (crazy but fun times-ha!) to gain--- when I gained the 5 pounds my doc recommended I scaled it back to my maint. cals on MFP which is 1,640 -- I am way too scared to go under that because EVERY thing i read says you can't restrict while pregnant and apparently anything under maint. is in a "deficit".
Pre-preg i used to only eat 1200 a day on a strict whole foods vegan/vegetarian diet so it was a fete for me to increase by so much but I have done so gladly. Even added free-range farm eggs and wild fish back to diet. . My husband and i went through IVF to get here and I have a 2 cm hemotoma so I am beyond scared to do anything that could harm my baby. Forgive me for prying but you said you do 1450 but then you say you stay between 1500 and 1700....I am assuming the later to be the case? Blessings and happy/healthy pregnancy to you!! By the way, I am 11 weeks, 5 days! First baby! SO excited! 0 -
Whoa, from.what I read/know you need a total of 300extra your entire pregnancy. Not per trimester. Yes I had a healthy weight gain during my pregnancy with him (my daughter I gained 50, I said never again lol) he was a perfect weight 7lbs6ozthank you! although everyone is different that tells me the recommended 300 in 2nd with antoher 300 in 3rd might be overkill. You did a small increase and still gained the required/recommended weight. My maint. is 1,630 and I hit that everyday - and have gained 4 in my first tri-mester....so although I have it set to maintaince i have gained and i attribute that to blood and perhaps fluid. I want to have a healthy steady gain and not be trying to work my tale off post pregnancy to get off extra weight that could have been avoided while still being healthy and getting in proper whole nutrution for my little one) 0 -
The only problem with using MFP's settings is that it's for a normal (not pregnant) person. If you're updating your weight as the baby grows, you're adding pounds that are from fluids, baby, placenta, etc... and not body fat and MFP doesn't know the difference. When I entered in my stuff, my maintenance calories were SUPER high. If I ate the recommended amount, I'd gain 2 lbs a week! I use this calculator instead, as it's geared for pregnant women:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm
Then I manually set my MFP goals to reflect them depending on the Trimester I'm in. Hope it helps!0 -
Thanks, I read that also and have a "fix" for the 2nd and 3rd trimester. I have created my own cardion workout named "2nd tri" and "3rd tri" -- the 2nd will add back 200 cals and the 3rd will add 300 cals...without changing my pre-preg body weight or any other settings. Make sense?0
-
How far along are you? Also I did use that tool you recommended and it actually has me eating almost 200 more a day in my first trimester...at 1800ish rather than the 1600ish MFP recommends. So far days it's a challenge for me to just 1600 although I do 100% of the time because I know the importance of it so I don't think I need over that now....My body isnt hungry with my current intake.0
-
How far along are you? Also I did use that tool you recommended and it actually has me eating almost 200 more a day in my first trimester...at 1800ish rather than the 1600ish MFP recommends. So far days it's a challenge for me to just 1600 although I do 100% of the time because I know the importance of it so I don't think I need over that now....My body isnt hungry with my current intake.
I'm 15+4 today. I understand about not being able to eat all the recommended calories. In the first Tri, there were days I barely cleared 1200 just from nausea and such. As baby grows, you'll be able to fit more in. My appetite eventually returned. I don't eat unless I'm hungry, but I do try to hit somewhere around 1800 calories if I can. I still fall short some days, and that's okay. You don't have to eat "more" necessarily, but you can choose higher calorie foods like peanut butter, etc... Even just adding condiments to things like real mayo will add some extra calories without making you feel like you have to pig out!
Just talk to your doctor, find out approximately where they think your calorie intake needs to be based on how much weight you should gain.0 -
OH! i thought it was each! I have read alot that said up by 200 in second and by 300 in second which seems overboard! I plan to slowly increase and see how the results go.0
-
The only problem with using MFP's settings is that it's for a normal (not pregnant) person. If you're updating your weight as the baby grows, you're adding pounds that are from fluids, baby, placenta, etc... and not body fat and MFP doesn't know the difference. When I entered in my stuff, my maintenance calories were SUPER high. If I ate the recommended amount, I'd gain 2 lbs a week! I use this calculator instead, as it's geared for pregnant women:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm
Then I manually set my MFP goals to reflect them depending on the Trimester I'm in. Hope it helps!
What she said !
And, I haven't gained consistently at all. I have had weeks I have gained 4lbs in a week and weeks where I have lost weight. It all balances out. Try to eat healthy and only eat when you are actually hungry. With our bizarre hormones it can be hard to not eat when emotional.0 -
I'm 6 weeks along and set it to maintainance. It is making me eat 1600 calories a day--which is super hard for me because of the nausea. I am 5'5 and 127 and workout 4-5 days per week. I'm also vegetarian and try to eat healthy. Last pregnancy I had a ROUGH time gaining weight and finally gained a total of 23 lbs by week 40. My baby was born strong and healthy. The first time I added salted roasted mixed nuts to my diet--the doctor said it is a healthy fat and a "good" way to gain weight (versus eating a candy bar!). If I have trouble gaining weight this time, I plan to go back to eating salty nuts agains.0
-
The only problem with using MFP's settings is that it's for a normal (not pregnant) person. If you're updating your weight as the baby grows, you're adding pounds that are from fluids, baby, placenta, etc... and not body fat and MFP doesn't know the difference. When I entered in my stuff, my maintenance calories were SUPER high. If I ate the recommended amount, I'd gain 2 lbs a week! I use this calculator instead, as it's geared for pregnant women:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm
Then I manually set my MFP goals to reflect them depending on the Trimester I'm in. Hope it helps!
Kalyrra, maybe I am doing something wrong? I used the calculator that you sent the link to--it told me I need to eat more than 1900 calories a day in the 1st trimester! That is a LOT! I am struggling to eat 1600 because of the 1st trimester nausea.0 -
thanks ladies. it helps to have an idea of what i am in for. and what to prepare for. i could see myself thinking i was going overboard if i gained 4 in a week but good to know it doesnt happen so perfectly with the whole "1/2 pound to 1 pound a week"0
-
same thing. it had me at 1900 for first tri. i know for a fact that's "gain a 1/2 pound" for me. That's more 2nd tri intake. Esp. since i cannot work out right bc doctor's restricting me to "light duty"0
-
The only problem with using MFP's settings is that it's for a normal (not pregnant) person. If you're updating your weight as the baby grows, you're adding pounds that are from fluids, baby, placenta, etc... and not body fat and MFP doesn't know the difference. When I entered in my stuff, my maintenance calories were SUPER high. If I ate the recommended amount, I'd gain 2 lbs a week! I use this calculator instead, as it's geared for pregnant women:
http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm
Then I manually set my MFP goals to reflect them depending on the Trimester I'm in. Hope it helps!
Kalyrra, maybe I am doing something wrong? I used the calculator that you sent the link to--it told me I need to eat more than 1900 calories a day in the 1st trimester! That is a LOT! I am struggling to eat 1600 because of the 1st trimester nausea.
Mine is around 1900 calories for 1st Tri, too. My OB said normal intake for 1st Tri needs to be 1800-2000 calories. She also said that if I'm nauseated and some days just can't eat, that's fine as long as I drink fluids. There were days that I struggled to come close to 1200 calories from the nausea.
Just remember, this doesn't have to be a militant day-by-day number that you HAVE to reach. It's just a goal you should strive for. Your current height and weight will also play a factor. Also keep in mind that it's a generic calculator, and all of our metabolisms are different! It's just much better than the MFP one. My "maintenance" for MFP was over 2200 calories, which I know is actually gaining for me because I have no metabolism and I don't really work out much.
Also, when you DO start to see some weight gain (unless it's drastically fast), don't panic and adjust your calories. You're going to naturally gain weight with baby growth, placenta, fluids, more blood in your body, etc..
As long as your OB is happy with your weight, then don't stress about it! There is no 1 magic calorie number for all of us. We're all different, so do what works best for you and your baby.0 -
I actually lost some weight in the first and when I hit my second tri I stayed stagnant... for a while -so I basically stopped tracking and just ate when I was hungry and allowed myself the occasional treat. around 18 wks I started to gain again and now I seem to be on the +0.5lb a week track .. so for me personally I haven't put a lot of time into tracking everything since I am hitting my goals. If that changes and I start to gain to quickly I will reevaluate and try balancing my cals more.0
-
it's so cool how the body makes adjustments. i see so many women, myself included don't have much weight gain but it's all belly! i have gained 4 so far (12 weeks) and my stomach looks 6 months along! pretty wild!0
-
I've eaten 2000-2300 a day for my entire pregnancy thus far. Just reached the 3rd trimester. My weight gain is on track.0
-
Most things I have read is you don't need extra calories in the first trimester which goes until 14 weeks. I upped mine because I was at the 1200 a day when I wasn't pregnant. I had my goal set at .5lb loss because if I change it to maintenance it goes to like 1800 or something which I know is too many right now. The 1450 is the number it gave me at .5 so I stay around that. I feel very full and happy at 1500 usually but if I'm hungrier I just attack some fruit and veggies and all is well. I started towards the end of the healthy weight so I know I'm safe. Also it's about knowing and listening to your body. During the second and third trimester the weight gain becomes easier and the cravings get crazier so again I'm good. I gained 60lbs with my first and I do not want to do that again.0
-
that's interesting that "maint" cals would be 1800 but gaining .5 a week is 1450. i would think the opposite would be true. my maint at 5'8/123 pounds is 1640 and to gain .5 is 1880. i am too paranoid at this juncture to eat below maint. I had to go through a long emotional and physically challenging road of IVF to get pregnant so I am not taking any risk.0
-
that's interesting that "maint" cals would be 1800 but gaining .5 a week is 1450. i would think the opposite would be true. my maint at 5'8/123 pounds is 1640 and to gain .5 is 1880. i am too paranoid at this juncture to eat below maint. I had to go through a long emotional and physically challenging road of IVF to get pregnant so I am not taking any risk.
1450 is what she says it's set at for a .5 loss, not gain. So 1800 for maintenance is right on track with that. 0 -
Most things I have read is you don't need extra calories in the first trimester which goes until 14 weeks. I upped mine because I was at the 1200 a day when I wasn't pregnant. I had my goal set at .5lb loss because if I change it to maintenance it goes to like 1800 or something which I know is too many right now. The 1450 is the number it gave me at .5 so I stay around that. I feel very full and happy at 1500 usually but if I'm hungrier I just attack some fruit and veggies and all is well. I started towards the end of the healthy weight so I know I'm safe. Also it's about knowing and listening to your body. During the second and third trimester the weight gain becomes easier and the cravings get crazier so again I'm good. I gained 60lbs with my first and I do not want to do that again.
That's pretty true, 1st trimester doesn't really need extra calories unless you're underweight to begin with. And for 2nd and 3rd, the extra calories aren't really that many, either.
I had a hard time with my first pregnancy using it as an excuse to eat anything I wanted. I didn't do too badly, I gained around 45 lbs and lost all but about 15 lbs within the first 3 months. Unfortunately, within the first year of my son being born, I packed it all back on plus some. By his first birthday, I was over 15 lbs heaver than I was when I delivered him. :grumble: :noway:
This time around, I've been eating as healthy as possible and it has made a big difference so far. This weekend, I was bad and had some chocolate peanut butter ice cream and some cookies (I'm chalking it up to Mother's Day pampering :laugh: ) and managed to put a pound back on.
But I'm with you... I don't want to put on all that weight again! So trying very hard to keep my calories in a healthy range and not eat a bunch of junk!0 -
I've eaten 2000-2300 a day for my entire pregnancy thus far. Just reached the 3rd trimester. My weight gain is on track.
This is where I like to keep it, too. Whenever I eat less than 2000 calories, I feel like I'm not getting enough. Especially on days taht I get a good work out in. As long as I'm eating mostly healthy stuff (veggies/fruits/proteins/healthy fats) and exercising, I'm totally fine with gaining 35-45lbs. I just have to keep being active to compensate! lol0 -
that's great you have gained steady. i upped mine to almost 1900 and some days go over because I truly feel my body needs more.0
-
I ate maintenance until the third trimester and then ate a little over (if I was starving I ate a lot, but I tried to really pay attention to whether it was hunger or a "that looks yummy" whim). I netted a 20lb gain and it came off quickly (the first 19 were gone by 2 weeks pp and then I gained/lost the last pound over the next 2 mos). Little guy was 9 1/2 lbs, 22 in, born at 40 weeks.
As far as whether my weight gain correlated with calories consumed, eh... not really. I gained regardless of whether I ate maintenance or above maintenance. Hormones I guess!0 -
Wow - It's hard being healthy ha-ha. I have MFP set at maintenance and it has me at 1880 calories. I am ~30 weeks pregnant and struggling with deciding what's "right for me" in regards to calories AND carbohydrate intake. For instance, yesterday, I hit 1600 calories. I don't want to hurt my baby boy and struggling to find the right balance.
Pre-pregnancy - 5 ft 9 in, 154 LBS. I have gained 9-10 LBS total thus far. So now weigh 163 LBS. Hmmm, what to do, what to do?!!?!?0 -
I'm in my first trimester & eat a min of 1800 calories. I'm 109lbs & 5'1". I gained 34 lbs with my first & plan to gain that much with my second. My maintenance was 1630 with mfp so decided to make it an even 1800. If I'm hungry, I have no problem eating more hope that helps. I do try to do low impact cardio & walking everyday & I eat my exercise calories back. Haven't gained any weight yet 0
-
very helpful! thank you for the specifics! i moved mine up by almost 300 in 2nd and am gaining about .5 every 10 days -- so at almost 15 weeks i am up 3 pounds total preg. I will just leave as is with the increase bc i started on a couple pounds underweight. Do you workout and eat back those calories? I was on light duty and can walk now and am walking 5 miles a day but only eating back like 100 of the 300 just because i am not hungry to eat anymore but don't know if i should be regardless if i feel like eating or not.0
-
than for being so honest, i am the same way. I upped mine past maint. though, plus 300 in 2nd tri but havent been eating back workout cals just because 1800 - 2k calories is a ton of food for me since pre preg i was used to be satisfied on 1200-1500. like you, and i am sure all moms - want to be healthy for baby but not over eat when it;s not neccessary.
I see women all teh time on here that only gain 20 and have big ol healthy babies. who knows!0
