Calorie Intake According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, pregnant women need between 2,200 calories and 2,900 calories a day.
Below is a general guide on how additional calories should be incorporated into your diet when pregnant.
These amounts may vary based on your personal needs, and it is best to check with your doctor before implementing any changes in your diet:
- First trimester: No additional calories recommended
- Second trimester: Additional 340 calories a day are recommended.
- Third trimester-: Additional 450 calories a day are recommended. It is important to eat nutrient-dense foods to meet your increased calorie needs, and to not increase your intake of “empty calorie” foods as a solution.
Weight Gain During Pregnancy
The Institute of Medicine has provided recommendations about appropriate weight gain during pregnancy. The guidelines are based off of a woman’s body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy.
To calculate Body Mass Index click here.
- Underweight: BMI below 18.5
- Normal weight: 18.5 to 24.9
- Overweight: 25.0 to 29.9
- Obese: 30.0 and above
Recommended weight gain for a full-term pregnancy:
- Underweight: 28 to 40 pounds
- Normal: 25 to 35 pounds
- Overweight: 15 to 25 pounds
- Obese: 11 to 20 pounds
For twins, the recommended weight gain increases even more:
- Normal: 37 to 54 pounds
- Overweight: 31 to 50 pounds
- Obese: 25 to 42 pounds
