How many calories when pregnant?

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amymeenieminymo
amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
in Food and Nutrition
This is obviously something I will ask my doctor when the time comes, but in the meantime I am curious. My husband and I are going to start trying for a baby real soon, but I am still not at the weight I'd like to be (ideally I want to lose another 30 pounds but anything less than what I am now is cool too). I realize I simply may not even get pregnant until I shed some more weight, but if I do, is it safe to keep losing weight when I'm pregnant?

I currently eat 1460 calories a day (net), so that doesn't seem like an unhealthy amount to eat, especially if I am overweight, but at the same time it seems bad to "diet" when pregnant, but this also isn't a diet, it's a lifestyle change so I'm not sure.

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  • ladybug1620
    ladybug1620 Posts: 1,136 Member
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    You need an extra 300 cals a day during pregnancy. I would definitely consult with your doctor about dieting while pregnant, though.
  • BflSaberfan
    BflSaberfan Posts: 1,272
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    I would focus hard on losing as much as you can before you become pregnant, and dont forget exercise during pregnancy (most healthy, normal pregnancies) is perfectly acceptable and even encouraged.

    I would not recommend trying to LOSE weight during the pregnancy though. Your body burns ALOT of calories just being pregnant (its alot of work supporting that baby) so a calorie deficit probably isn't the best idea whiel pregnant.

    With that said a healhy diet, and exercise will help you lose the weight afterwards much faster as well as help your labor and delivery.
  • LesliePierceRN
    LesliePierceRN Posts: 860 Member
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    Lose what weight you can before becoming pregnant, but while pregnant focus on nutrition. Make sure you eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and dairy. Don't go crazy and eat whatever your whims may want because you're "eating for two".. you'll just have to take those pounds back off again later. You'll need at least your BMR plus 300 cals/day while pregnant, but make them worthy calories, not empty ones. You're going to be feeding your baby.. you don't want your baby eating junk. This is a very important time in it's growth and development. This world is hard, he/she'll need all the edge he/she can get!
  • Sarah101010
    Sarah101010 Posts: 235
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    I am pregnant as well and think it is best to speak to your doctor (like you mentioned). I am guessing that he/she will want you to up your calories a bit, but don't worry, making a baby is worth it! You will have plenty of time to lose more after your precious one arrives. Good luck with everything, wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy and baby!
  • 6Janelle13
    6Janelle13 Posts: 353 Member
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    bump. I'm in the same boat. I have about 20 pounds to go and hope to be trying soon. I adjusted my focus from the scale to consisant work outs. I figure if I am already doing 30ds, running 2 to 3 miles daily I can keep it up until it's not safe to do. Most doctors say you can maintain your work outs but not increase them while pregnant and naturally if it puts me and my baby at risk i would stop. I am still debating about the calories, in part because now that I am eating healthy, I have a hard time getting up to my minimal calories. I have been taking a prenatal for the past 6 months to make sure i had the folic acid needed. Just now in the waiting game for a few more things to pan out before we start trying.
  • werryanne
    werryanne Posts: 6 Member
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    I just found out that I am pregnant (I already have a 2 year old). I adjusted my profile to "maintain" my current weight. I don't plan to be too strict, but I also want to be conscious of what I am eating so I don't overdo it.

    I gained 40lbs with my first pregnancy and was able to take all of it off. I plan to gain 30ish lbs this time, and take all of it off plus some.

    That said, focus on what you are doing now. Get healthy, and establish good habits. Once you get pregnant you will probably need to adjust to maintain your weight, if not gain some (I didn't check your profile, but even if you were severely overweight, it's still recommended to gain about 15lbs...up to 40 if you are within normal BMI).

    **As previous posters said, always discuss with your doctor. Everyone is different.

    Good luck trying! (And have fun! ;-))
  • 12skipafew99100
    12skipafew99100 Posts: 1,669 Member
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    I lost 10 pounds when I got pregnant but then gained 18 before it was all over. The reason though was not due to dieting. I changed my eating to a much healthier way. Instead of soda I would drink skim millk. Instead of chips I would snack on veggies. I always choose the fish and chicken instead of fatty meats. My baby was a nice big 8 pounds 9 oz. I never eat or felt more healthy in my whole life. But once again I did not try to lose weight.

    You are right, it can take some time to get pregnant. It took me a year and a half the first time. but the next three times it took less and less. Everyone is different. You might be pregnant on the first try, like with my forth! I always say ,you get what you get ,when you're suppose to get it. WHat a great time in your life. Enjoy!

    Deb
  • jessicamichalski
    jessicamichalski Posts: 45
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    I am pregnant as well. My doctor has been helping me with my weight loss journey for a while. I have lost about 20 pounds since 12/24/10 and before I got pregnant. She told me that her first two pregnancies she gained more than needed. Her third and fourth pregnancy she used as an excuse to lose weight..please understand I don't mean less calories more exercise. I mean she kept eating the way she was plus 300 or so extra calories. She continued exercising moderately (as much as her body allowed). She gained pregnancy weight of about 30 pounds. When she went into delivery and walked out afterwards, she weighed less than what she started. The baby will get what they need and won't starve. My plan is to do about the same as my doctor did. Right now I am 8 weeks and total I have lost 4 pounds and gained it back. I would not reccommend focusing on losing weight but eat nutritiously. I know this may not be what every doctor says, but you asked for some input, and I just thought I would throw out what I am doing and what my doctor recommended for me... but definitely speak to yours about what your options might be!! :):):) oh and good luck! :)
  • Shelly95
    Shelly95 Posts: 1
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    I'm new to MFP (about a month) and this is actually the first time I've posted. I have 3 kids and each pregnancy started different.

    Child 1 - I weighed 268 when I started trying to get pregnant. My cycles were irregular and I went to the doctor to get help figuring out what was wrong. He suggested I lose weight. He told me he thought if I lost 20 lbs I would probably be able to get pregnant and sent me home with an 1800 calorie diet. I followed the diet carefully and walked an hour every night. Two months later (and 20 lbs lighter), I was pregnant. I had some serious health troubles during that pregnancy and wish I had known more about getting healthy first. I was on a very strict diet the last three months and when I left the hospital a week after my daughter was born, I weighed 240 - same as the start of my pregnancy.

    Child 2 (2 1/2 years later) - I weighed 228, got pregnant in the first 2 months of trying . Had a much easier, healthier pregnancy. However, the baby still weighed 10 lbs. I lost most of what I had gained within a few months.

    After my 2nd child turned one, I decided to really work at getting the weight off. I joined a gym and went a lot. I also modified my eating and cut out a lot of processed foods. Over the next year, I lost 50lbs. I was at about 170 when I plateaued for months. Around this time we started trying for baby #3. We tried for six months, no success. I was 35 and decided to go to the doctor. He suggested trying Clomid, which we did for 3 or 4 months, no luck. I was still dieting and exercising (but not tracking carefully, so I don't really know what I was eating). I was trying to get a few more pounds off pre-baby. I found a book that suggested about 1100 calories a day. I was doing that and exercising for an hour a day (not eating back the calories), and in hindsight, I'm sure I was starving. I was dizzy and tired and miserable. I went back to the doctor to discuss the Clomid not working and he said he could send me to a fertility specialist, but he didn't think I really needed that. Summer was coming up & he suggested I relax a bit. He said to make sure I ate 1800 calories a day, every day. Exercise by walking or playing with the kids, nothing too intense. I was sick of my "diet" anyway, so I took his advice and two months later, I was pregnant.

    This was probably too long, but I wish someone had told me a year earlier to be careful and dieting might sabotage your attempts to get pregnant. Everyone is different, so I'm sure the weight & calories your body will handle a pregnancy with also varies. There were definite signs that things weren't right with my body before pregnancies 1 & 3, I just didn't know what they meant then.

    Best wishes with starting your family and good job on trying to get healthy before getting pregnant.
  • dearprudence1964
    dearprudence1964 Posts: 30 Member
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    I am 8 weeks pregnant as well. I have been working out and eating a healthy diet for over a year now - and losing weight very slowly. A few months ago, I found MFP and measuring and recording really kicked my weight loss into high gear - which was great. My husband and I figure we should start trying, because it might take a while, and what do you know - immediate success. I was concerned about how to handle my diet and exercise routine now that I was pregnant, so I spoke with several nurses and my doctor. All agreed on a few points.

    1) Do not start intense workouts - BUT, since I've been running 6 miles/45mins w a heart rate of 180 for a year - it would be ok to keep up those workouts as long as I wasnt getting light headed or overheated. The main point was to trust my body - and honestly, at only 8 weeks my body has already told me that it's not running more than 5 miles and I now I keep my heart rate around 165. And I expect my workouts to become lighter as time goes on.
    2) Even though my calories might sound low to most people (1200 on non workout days and 1400-1800 on days I workout) for the most part, my diet was so filled with healthy vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and grains, that the doc and nurses all agreed that I should have no problem keeping it the way it was. They said that the baby will take what it needs from me, and if I'm feeling hungry or tired, I should eat more. If not, its totally fine. Again - listen to and trust your body. Oh - and they also recommended a calcium supplement like Viactiv because the baby will take a lot of calcium from my teeth and bones.(plus a prenatal vitamin, of course)
    3) Do not try to go on an extreme diet but do not over eat. Don't worry if you gain a few pounds, but don't worry if you lose a few either. The body and the baby know what they need. Many women lose weight in the first trimester due to healthy food choices and no one should make you feel guilty for that. You know what foods are healthy, and you know what your body needs to run efficiently. You can't ACCIDENTALLY starve your baby. That takes concerted effort. Since I found out I was pregnant I have lost 2.5 lbs and couldnt be happier.

    And a side note from me: I haven't had a lot of vomiting, but I have had a lot of food aversions. I no longer can stomach the idea of salads and stirfrys, and I'm not lovin meats either. (Im sure its just a phase) So, my diary isn't looking as wonderful as it used to - but I am making a solid effort at eating my fruit and getting protein from other sources like peanut butter. And if on the off chance I have a craving for Arbys - I run with it, because its a good opportunity for protein. Again - i think it all comes back to trusting your body and doing the best you can to meet your nutritional requirements - and MFP is a great tool for that. My doctor is really happy with my use of this program.

    Good luck on your journey and conception!!!
  • amymeenieminymo
    amymeenieminymo Posts: 2,394 Member
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    Thanks everyone, this was all very very helpful information!
  • Moefocused
    Moefocused Posts: 2
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    Hello, I am a nurse midwife. I definitely am so proud of you for being conscious about being as healthy as possible before pregnancy. The woman I care for do so much better with pregnancy if they are taking good care of themselves! :)

    You are able to maintain eating healthy while pregnant, just more need for healthy lean proteins etc... I tell my moms that they need 300 more calories or so than when not pregnant and that could simply be one more lean chicken breast during day, a whole bunch of spinach, and delicious apple throughout the day!

    Also, please consider a nurse midwife. It is a great option for healthy woman and insurance does cover it just the same!

    Good luck on your journey!

    Maureen
  • Moefocused
    Moefocused Posts: 2
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    Wow, awesome posts from some very motivated smart ladies!!

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