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Learn how to calculate calories while pregnant to ensure your baby gets sufficient nutrition, to control medical conditions or based on your doctor’s recommendation. Always make sure to discuss the proper caloric intake with your doctor based on your specific pregnancy.
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Introduction
When you are pregnant it is extremely important that you obtain sufficient nutrition to help nourish your growing baby. Proper nutrition leads to better birth outcomes and usually healthier babies. Whether you need to count calories while you are pregnant due to a medical condition like gestational diabetes, you want to make sure you are eating enough for your baby’s development, or you want to ensure you do not overeat during your pregnancy, you must know how to calculate calories while you are pregnant. -
How to Count Calories
Learn how to count calories with this video featuring Nicole Gaitan, a registered dietician. She suggests how to monitor your calorie count and where to find information to help determine the calorie intake of foods when you are dining at home, or dining out. She notes that caloric intake can naturally vary by day based on your needs and activity levels.
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Step 1: Talk to Your Doctor About the Right Calorie Level For Your Pregnancy
Discuss with your doctor the right weight gain for your pregnancy. Each pregnancy is unique and caloric intake requirements can vary based on the number of babies you are carrying, your pre-pregnancy BMI (body mass index) and other health related conditions.
For your entire pregnancy, the standard guidelines for weight gain for women carrying a single baby are:- BMI less than 18.5: Suggested Weight Gain: 28 to 40 pounds
- BMI 18.5 to 24.9: Suggested Weight Gain: 25 to 35 pounds
- BMI 25 to 29.9: Suggested Weight Gain: 15 to 25 pounds
- BMI 30 or more: Suggested Weight Gain: 11 to 20 poundshttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111
Knowing your target weight gain can help you monitor your pregnancy and make sure you are staying on track when you are calculating calories. -
Step 2: Know the Different Caloric Needs by Trimester
First Trimester Weight gain is normally minimal during the first trimester, even though your body may look like you have gained more than a few pounds. This change is normal as your body prepares a space for your baby to grow. Normal recommendations for caloric intake during your first trimester are for an additional 150-200 calories a day more than your pre-pregnancy diet.http:www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Second Trimester During your second trimester, you will start gaining more weight and it usually will add up gradually and you will visibly start to see your belly expand. Three to four pounds of weight gain is standard during this period. You should eat an extra 300 calories a day.http:www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111/NSECTIONGROUP=2
Third Trimester Weight gain usually picks up a little more during your third trimester, especially as you get closer to your due date. Standard guidelines for third trimester weight gain are 3 to 4 pounds a month with about 300 extra calories a day. http:www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-weight-gain/PR00111/NSECTIONGROUP=2Step 3: Calculate Calories Every Day
Now that you understand how much overall weight you should gain and how many calories you will need every day, you should calculate your calories to make sure you are not over eating or under eating. It can be difficult to gauge the exact calories of many items, so for most diets, a rough count will work. If your doctor has recommended a specific caloric intake, it is better to be more exact with your calculations. For accuracy, consider purchasing a scale to weigh your foods to determine the calories.
For prepackaged items, use the calories per serving as your calorie guide, just make sure to measure the proper serving size.
For vegetables, fruits, fast food and other items that do not provide a calorie counter, use the WebMD Food-O-Meter to find calorie amounts.
Keep track of your daily calories on a chart and make sure your record everything you consume, including beverages. Drinks, sauces and other items can be deceptively high in calories and can easily push you over your recommended caloric intake.
Overall, calculate calories while pregnant with care and listen to your body. Consume plenty of healthy fruits and vegetables and limit foods with empty calories to ensure a healthy pregnancy. Always discuss any concerns or problems you have regarding calculating calories while you are pregnant with your doctor.
