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It’s not clear when the term ‘eating for two’ turned into
an excuse for super-sizing your fries or getting cosy
with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. We do now know,
that yes, your body needs more calories than before
you got pregnant, but not as many as you may think.
Generally speaking, if you are carrying one baby in your
belly and were at a healthy weight before becoming
pregnant, you’ll want to aim for a weight gain of about
2 stone to 2 stone 7lbs. That goal weight gain goes up
about five pounds if you were underweight and down
about five pounds if you were overweight. You’ll need
to speak to your midwife or doctor about the specifics
of how much weight you should be gaining, as it really
depends on your personal BMI (body mass index ) .
During your first trimester your body doesn’t actually
need any extra calories. The first three months your tiny
baby is about the size of a pea, so you’re not really
eating for two. The second trimester you can expect to
add about 300 to 350 calories to your diet, while the
third trimester you can add an extra 500 calories per
day. Keep in mind, however, those additional calories
are not a free pass to sit down with a bag of crisps and
a milkshake. Focus on healthy and lean proteins, whole
grains, fruits and veg. Remember, the nutrients from
whatever you’re eating go to your baby so it’s even
more important to eat healthily.
Should I really be eating for two or
do I still need to watch my weight?
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