The facts about normal pregnancy weight gain

Pregnancy and weight gain: Pregnancy calories still count

Eating the best foods and consuming the correct number of calories benefits your baby's health — and yours — at every stage of pregnancy.

• In the 1st trimester, doctors suggest continuing your daily intake of pre-pregnancy calories, which is 2,000 to 2,200^* calories for most women during childbearing years.^*
  While your baby’s calorie needs are small during the 1st trimester, his needs for nutrients are high. This is the time to start making every bite count.
• In the 2nd trimester, doctors recommend adding about 340^* calories a day. That’s the equivalent of 1 cup of fat-free skim milk and one slice of whole-grain bread with 1-1/2 tablespoons of peanut butter and 1 tablespoon of grape jam.
• During the 3rd trimester, doctors recommend an additional 450^* calories a day. That’s the equivalent of 1 cup of low-fat vanilla yogurt, 1/2 cup of mixed fruit, and 1/3 cup of low-fat granola.

^*Based on the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI)

How to manage calories during your pregnancy while ensuring proper nutrition:

• Try eating smaller, more frequent meals to avoid intense hunger.
• Watch portion sizes, eat slowly, and give your body time to digest food.
• Fill up on fruits and vegetables, which provide nutrients, water, and fiber with fewer calories.
• Focus on better-quality foods, and make adjustments in consumption based on activity levels.

With a healthy approach, you can ensure you’re responsibly eating for two while achieving the pregnancy weight that’s best for you.