Calories

[OnNaturesCourse]

Just that really

How many are you "allowed" in pregnancy, I've seen so many conflicting messages.

I'm 5'10, and about 76kg pre pregnancy. I normally take in 1800-200) calories on my monitored days, and have limited activity (office job, walk at lunch or after tea) 1800 tends to be when an event is looming and I'm trimming down, 2000 is a better daily average.

My weight app has suggested 1890 calories for my pregnancy stage but I'm constantly starving on that.

I'm currently 18w.

Why are you counting calories and restricting what you eat? You're pregnant, stop! Just aim to eat when you're hungry and eat good unprocessed food and stop worrying about calories.

Ive always monitored what I eat, I eat out of boredom and actually logging what I eat stops this.

I also am a extremely fussy eater so I need to watch I'm not eating too much bad stuff... Ie I would live off carbs if I could, and fruit makes my IBS go crazy.

In the third trimester you need an extra 200 calories a day. Prior to that, you don't need any additional calories compared with before you were pregnant.

That being said I was STARVING in the first trimester so god knows how many calories I was putting away. I agree with the above - just forget about calories and listen to your body.

Also depending on what your IBS symptoms are, you may find they improve during pregnancy. I very much enjoyed eating spicy foods without the usual consequences

Honestly just eat if you're hungry! Try to eat more good than bad, but just eat! I put on 5 stone when pregnant and ate for Britain- I was just starving all the time! My daughter will be 6 months next week and I have 4 lbs left to lose! I understand why you might worry but please just don't worry about calories and just eat a (mainly) healthy diet

My midwife told me to eat to appetite, healthy food and lots of protein. Calorie restriction in pregnancy isn't good for you, it can lead to long term problems like bone calcium depletion.

Can I just point out I do eat when I am hungry, I have days where I go way over the calories as I am just so hungry or I really fancy something.

There wouldn't be guidelines however if they weren't healthy. Pregnant ladies don't need to be eating loads, they need to be eating healthy, filling food that is within the calorie guidelines. I am trying to teach myself how and what foods help me do this.

You can have a whole healthy filling meal for less calories than junk food.

Thank you to those who answered my question, and did not criticize my choice to maintain a healthy, balance food intake.

Hi OnNatures my suggestion would be to make sure you're getting enough protein, as it's filling, and keeps you feeling full for longer...I've also read that you're not supposed to increase calories until the third trimester but by keeping my protein high and reaching for fruit/veg first between meals, I seem to be combatting the increased hunger so far...

There aren't (NHS) guidelines for weight gain in pregnancy or for calorie intake in pregnancy, except for women who have a very high BMI pre-pregnancy. Midwives don't weigh pregnant women any more.

The guidelines are eat to appetite, eat healthy food.

Intransige. I was weighed at booking appointment and again at my 28 week appt at start of third trimester and my BMI was 20 with a weight of 118lb pre pregnancy so it isn't the caee that midwives don't weigh you unless you are overweight to start.

OP - Guidance seems to vary between adding 200 calories to 500 calories in 3rd trimester. I try to have high protein snacks when I am hungry to help stave off cravings. I have noticed however certain periods where baby is having a growth spurt and I am ravenous so I eat more as per what my body is telling me

Weighing at booking in to assess BMI accurately is recommended, as high BMI is a pregnancy risk factor that needs to be managed.

I mean weighing at every appt is not recommended, which used to be done and is contrary to NICE guidelines now.

Lord. I'm eating 1100. Anything over that and I gain weight. Metabolisms are so weird.

Sorry kept off this forum for a bit as I was annoyed at previous comments.

There are guidelines on calories.

Unfortunately its hard to tell between the true ones and fudged ones online but I'll make sure to ask the MW when I'm next there.

I heard the 200 in 3rd trimester too, and I think that sounds about right.

Eating when your hungry is all good, but when you comfort eat/boredom eat etc is when you have trouble.

I ate everything, only carbs would stop the nausea. I think monitoring is fine if you can do it. However, if you hit your calories and are hungry then you need to eat. Don't stay hungry. I have always been active and healthy, but did eat a lot when pregnant and gained 3 stone. All lost within 7 months afterwards. I do plan to try and monitor it a bit more next time. I think it was 300calories extra in the last trimester. The eating for 2 is a myth but I just enjoyed having an off period, not worrying and enjoying food.

I was weighed at booking appointment and again at my 28 week appt at start of third trimester

Like Intransige said, the first weight is to establish if you're a high risk pregnancy. The second is in case you need a spinal / epidural so they can calculate the dose.