There are many different nutritional needs that a pregnant woman needs to be aware of, and increasing one's calorie needs is one of them. This week, Mint Nutrition Clinic and our nutritionists and registered dietitians are targeting the question, how many calories do pregnant women need? And, why? Please be aware that this article has been written by a competent nutritionist and/or registered dietitian at Mint Nutrition Clinic, and all of the information discussed is evidence-based.
First Trimester and Calorie Needs (Weeks 1-12)
During the first trimester, women do not need to eat any extra calories (Eatright Ontario, 2017). This is because the fetus is very small and toxins that may be consumed during this stage have a large negative impact on the pregnant woman. This may be why many women experience morning sickness. However, there are specific nutritional needs that should be met during this stage, Click Here to meet a Mint Nutrition Clinic nutritionist, or book your FREE 30 minute consultation. We offer an evidence-based pregnancy package that is a detailed step-by-step guide for each trimester of pregnancy.
Second Trimester and Calorie Needs (Weeks 13-28)
During the second trimester, the pregnant woman needs an extra 340 calories extra everyday (Eatright Ontario, 2017). This means that if your calorie needs are 2000 calories a day, then you would need to eat 2350 calories in a day, when you are in the second trimester of your pregnancy.
Third Trimester and Calorie Needs (Weeks 29 - end of pregnancy)
During the third and final trimester, the pregnant woman needs to eat an extra 450 calories everyday (Eatright Ontario, 2017). This would mean adding 450 calories to your regular calorie needs. Therefore, if a woman needed 2000 calories in a day before they were pregnant, they would now require 2450 during the third trimester of their pregnancy.
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References
Eatright Ontario. (2017). Healthy Weight during Pregnancy. Retrieved from http://www.eatright.org/resource/health/pregnancy/prenatal-wellness/healthy-weight-during-pregnancy