Calories

[Lenny1980]

I’m sure I’ve read plenty of UK advice that says you only need an extra 200 calories in the third trimester and no extra in the first two.

Doing a bit of research today and seeing lots of US websites referring to an extra 340 in the second trimester and 450 in the third.

Does anyone know the reason for this difference and has anyone seen any different UK-based advice? I’ve always thought the 200 calories advice seems like absolute rubbish. It can’t be right that you don’t need any extra at all in the second trimester, you’re growing a human! It makes no sense that the body can do that without any extra calories at all!!

200 calories is closer to being correct than the other numbers quoted and in the last trimester not throughout. Yes you are growing another human but that human is going to be approx 5.5-8lbs (at birth) not a toddler/ child/ person requiring a large amount of calories. In the ‘old days’ eating for two was considered the thing to do. Research has now been conducted that confirms eating for 2 will simply make you overweight and potentially put yourself and baby at risk of diabetes, preeclampsia etc. Plus the baby will take what it requires from whatever you eat - so as long as you are eating a healthy and varied diet, your baby will benefit.

I think it must also depend on your build / weight and calorie consumption before getting pregnant.

I personally don't have the best relationship with food and lost a little weight in my first trimester.

If you maintain a slim build prior to pregnancy on say, 1500 calories a day then I would say you definitely do need those extra calories in third trimester.

For myself I'm not going to eat any extra because I already eat about 2000 calories a day.

There's no one answer which is why these are more guides. It depends on how big you are to start with, how healthy you're being and how hungry you get.

If you're really hungry, you should eat more! But midwives can assess your case more effectively.

I don't know how many I'm eating, but I've put on at least 12kg by beginning 3rd trimester. For me midwife said this was fine as most weight gain is blood and I'm smaller build. For a bigger person, this would probably be too much.

I've gained 7kg and I'm 32 weeks. I was normal BMI but have a very sedentary job. I eat no more than 1800 calories and it has worked so far!