How many extra calories do i really need.

[Ari1987]

Ok so Im already a stone overweight. 5.7 and 12 stone. I dont look overweight but its not my happy weight. I was steadily losing weight before my pregnancy surviving on between 1,200-1,500 callorie a day which felt heathy and not depriving myself at all. I have upped my calories to 1,800 a day which i plan to stick to for the first trimester. I actually read that you dont need to eat any extra calories for the first six months but that sounded a bit extreme so my plan was to go up to 2,000 calories in second trimester and then 2,300 callers in the third. I want to gain as little weight as possible but it being the best amount for the baby. I did read that babies can get enough nutrients from your fat reserves and i am meaty lol and that if your overweight you dont really need to increase your calories hardly at all. What the least amount of weight i can gain thats healthy?

You don't need any extra calories until the third trimester, that info is correct and not at all extreme. Then you may need 200-300 extra calories a day.

Don’t bother counting calories. Eat what you want when you want (in moderation) and enjoy your food.

How far along are you? This is something you should discuss with your midwife at booking in. My weight has stayed fairly static throughout pregnancy - you may find you're much better at eating intuitively. You might also find you can only survive the first trimester on full fat coke and salt and vinegar crisps. Personally I think don't be too strict and go where your body leads you.

I started overweight too. The first tri i put on 10lbs. Now 34 weeks and total gain is 1 stone so I've clawed it back somewhat. I didn't count cals tbh, just ate nutrient dense 'clean' food. And worked out from 10 weeks aiming at 5 times a week, just youtube vids. Are you exercising? That will make a huge difference. And then just eat vlean without counting unless you like counting. Its hard to suggest a calorie intake as dont know your height, age etc but 1800 seems fine, 2000 in 3rd tri. But be a little flexible... having good snacks to hand really helps; avocado, eggs, chicken or turkey, fruit, etc etc. Good luck, I've been very weight focused because i would get depressed otherwise, i've lost body fat and gained a stone of baby + necessaries. So maybe font aim for no weight gain, just no fat gain, even fat loss but a little baby weight gain.

Well done on your weight loss so far. I was absolutely ravenous during pregnancy, from the get go, so ate what I wanted, but I was a healthy weight to start with. I really think it differs for everyone - my body absolutely needed extra food and I'd have been so miserable if I'd eaten the same as normal. Hopefully you can stick to healthy eating and listen to your body as best you can.

Our stats are similar and I was terrified on putting on loads of weight. All I could eat up to week 14 was carbs, fruit and veg made me want to vom 😂. I put on weight up to week 10 and went up to 12.5 as had to eat every hour but then could barely force 3 meals a day. I’ve got more food aversion now and am hovering around 12/12.2. I still don’t want to pile it on but am finally feeling more comfortable with just listening to my body.

@Ari1987

Ok so Im already a stone overweight. 5.7 and 12 stone. I dont look overweight but its not my happy weight. I was steadily losing weight before my pregnancy surviving on between 1,200-1,500 callorie a day which felt heathy and not depriving myself at all. I have upped my calories to 1,800 a day which i plan to stick to for the first trimester. I actually read that you dont need to eat any extra calories for the first six months but that sounded a bit extreme so my plan was to go up to 2,000 calories in second trimester and then 2,300 callers in the third. I want to gain as little weight as possible but it being the best amount for the baby. I did read that babies can get enough nutrients from your fat reserves and i am meaty lol and that if your overweight you dont really need to increase your calories hardly at all. What the least amount of weight i can gain thats healthy?

The weight gain rules for pregnancy don’t apply when you are overweight or beyond- only for under and normal weight mums. Talk to your mw and get proper advice - she might be more comfortable if you did return to a lower calorie but nutritious diet and ‘maintain’ your weight - eg you lose weight and baby’s weight makes up the difference.

I reckoned that I could have an extra chocolate bar a day in the third trimester but otherwise ate normally (minus the alcohol etc). I gained very little and was back to normal six months post partum (although less toned, much less toned).

It's around 300 extra a day in 3rd trimester for a singleton, earlier for multiples. I wouldn't worry about calorie counting too much so long as you eat a healthy diet.

I would feel very deprived on what you allow yourself each day, but I do powerlift (have done throughout my pregnancy too) and am very active in general so need a lot more to maintain. 2-2.5st is pretty much all baby gain for me in a pregnancy (was higher with twins but I didn't track overall gain with them), I do have big babies. I'm 5ft 8 and was a dress size 12 at my slimmest.

Same here, 5'8" and size 12 is what i should be. Didnt lose the baby weight after the last few babies. Like my old school reports; must try harder.

OP just ensure you are adding a good prenatal supplement as well if you are counting cals. Probiotic and collagen are nice extras. I also take arnica for my back but not sure its doing much... might for others.

I'm just eating as I normally would which is whenever I'm hungry, started pregnancy a normal weight. No clue how many calories I eat but it's probably above the recommended amount.

You don't need any extra calories especially if you're already over weight. In fact pretty sure I dropped calories in the third trimester as activity levels really dropped.

Eating for 2 is a myth!

@JustWonderingIfYou

You don't need any extra calories especially if you're already over weight. In fact pretty sure I dropped calories in the third trimester as activity levels really dropped.

Eating for 2 is a myth!

It surely can't be as simple as that though. Not relevant to the OP, but I've been a size 8 all my adult life then was starving through both my pregnancies. I didn't just suddenly lose my self control, so clearly my body did need the extra calories. I put on about 3st each time, and was back to a size 10 within 6 weeks and a size 8 in a few months, without doing anything except breastfeeding. I don't understand why I'd be so hungry if I didn't need the calories. I certainly wasn't underweight to start with so it's not that.

Thank you. Thats reassuring. I'm glad I don't need any extra calories until the third trimester as I'm happy eating 1,800 cals a day, though sometimes that feels like a lot after being used to only 1,200-1,5000 a day for a long time

Just eat when your hungry. Your body when pregnant is very good at telling you what you need.

I threw up for 3 months and lost two stone. Both pregnancies, both babies absolutely fine, they really can get by on your fat reserves. Was also about a stone overweight to start with.

None.

I lost weight with Slimming World when pregnant but I read you need to have around 1700 minimum which I thought was good.

Increasing your activity if you can wouldwe a good idea to get to a more healthy weight.
Can you increase the step count target on your phone by 5% this week and get an extra 10 minute walk in somewhere? Then another 5% increase next week? Weather is looking up from tomorrow too

zero

I lost weight with 3 of my pg because I was sick all the way through.
I weighed less at 40w+ than my pre-pg weight and babies were still 9lb 6 & twice 9lb 14.

objectively babies are parasites and will take everything they need from you - nutrients, vitamins, minerals.