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Pregnant women need a lot of extra nutrients but no extra calories
My pregnancy diet

No need to eat for two but to eat healthier

Many of us grew up with the idea that during pregnancy, you must “eat for two.” However, this is a myth! While pregnant women do need extra nutrients — vitamins, minerals, and especially protein — the caloric or energy requirements aren’t significantly higher.

In the second trimester, an additional 250 calories per day are recommended. In the third trimester, the recommendation increases to 500 additional calories per day compared to when not pregnant. Before the second trimester, no extra calories are necessary.

Eating foods with many calories but few vitamins and minerals in pregnancy can lead to excess weight gain and health problems for you and baby.

Nutrient needs during pregnancy

While pregnant women need some extra nutrients — vitamins, minerals and particularly protein — the energy requirements, aren’t actually a lot greater.

Therefore, most doctors recommend that pregnant women take a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement every day in addition to eating a healthy diet. Taking a supplement ensures that you get enough of those extra nutrients you and your baby need now

Pregnant women have increased nutritional needs
pregnancy-nutrient-needs

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