Do you count calories during pregnancy?

[mywrencalls]

I'm 37, almost 11 weeks pregnant. I've had an underactive thyroid since my early 20's and so a combination of medication and healthy eating has always managed to stop me from gaining weight.
Counting calories is second nature to me now, and now that I'm pregnant that hasn't changed.

I would like to not gain too much simply for health reasons. I'm a size 12 so not particularly overweight but I have lost 7lbs since week 5.
On an average day I eat about 1700 calories, my low appetite and nausea has meant some weeks I was eating less than that but I've not actually been sick and so I feel like I'm probably getting enough food?

I've read that you don't need to change your calorie intake in the first and some of second trimester, but is that based on 2000 calories a day? (Recommended for women) or can I continue on with around 1700 calories a day until the third trimester when I'll need to add an extra 200 calories or so?

Hi,

I've not long had my first baby, I'm also a size 12.

I ate really well, I wouldn't say I dieted because from weeks 4-16 I had to eat little and often or I'd feel sick and weak. I just had fruit, seeds, cereal bars and little snacks to get me through

I started calorie counting around 16 weeks. I tried slimming world initially but it didn't work for me so I used an app to help me count the calories.

I still ate normal, just stayed within a healthy calorie range and lots of fruit and veg. I did have my treats, especially in the third trimester because I wanted carbs a lot more than usual.

I went from 10st to 12st 4lb

I had a planned c-section, straight away I dropped a stone, I was back to 10st 3 weeks after I'd had the baby.

Baby was chunky at 10lb 1 and I think calorie counting and breastfeeding helped me shift the weight

what I would say is enjoy this time, if you want something - have it. Everything in moderation is fine, walk plenty and drink plenty of water and you'll be fine.

And congratulations xx

Hi! Im 29 weeks pregnant. Im not counting calories, but I would say im watching what I eat and making sure I dont eat crap.

Im not sure I could be bothered with counting calories at this stage, im tired and grumpy.

I should say I still go to the gym and go swimming though, so I make sure I eat enough to sustain me through that

Hi @melissa1215 thanks for the reply can I ask how many calories you started having at week 16?

I'm just hoping to make things easier after the birth as my thyroid will likely be all over the place and I know I can limit the effects by not gaining too much weight.
I just don't want to eat too little either, pre-pregnancy I was on about 1500 calories a day and that basically maintained my weight. So I'm prone to gaining weight if not careful.

Thanks again for the advice, luckily I'm off anything even remotely sweet so far this pregnancy and and so diet has been pretty healthy anyway

@Letsallscreamatthesistene I'm planning on doing some swimming too, hoping to keep up my 2 hour dog walks as long as possible too!

The calories thing is tiresome, but at this point, even if I don't write it all down I still tend to know the calories in everything anyway. Urgh!

Congratulations! I’m 38 and 8 weeks pregnant with my first and I haven’t been calorie counting nor do I intend to unless any issues pop up, but I’ll definitely be watching what I eat though as I have quite a sugar tooth. I know my sister counted calories for her pregnancy because she was worried about it

@mywrencalls I stayed at around 1500 fat 16 weeks but by 24 weeks I had to increase to 2000 and it worked well, along with walking lots xx

Not calorie counting but each time I do absolutely keep a closer eye on the scales.

I'm overweight mind & like to try stay steady.

I'm currently 31 weeks & gained 1lb.

Last pregnancy I lost 7lb through out.

First pregnancy put on 12lb.

I think it's easier in pregnancy because lack of alcohol and a general watching what you eat because nutrition for baby ect

I counted calories as I just wanted to follow how much I was eating; if I’d reached my maximum number and I was hungry I still ate but it helped me make food choices and as I did it on an app I could see what amount of protein, fat and carbs I was getting. It helped me to see that when I thought I was eating a lot that I wasn’t necessarily

@Danni91 That sounds great, I think I have a stone that I could lose and still be within a healthy weight and so I'd rather not gain too much. I am weighing myself every week so plan on keeping an eye on it