It’s important that you eat well throughout your pregnancy to give your baby the best start. Hormonal changes mean you might also be experiencing nausea, food cravings (even cravings for non-food items), a heightened sense of smell and differing tastes. Some of your most loved dishes might seem unbearable as your body changes, so you may need to change the menu. This section lets you know how
to get the best balance of nutrients and which foods contain them.
Remember that while you’re eating for two, only one of you is full sized - you’re only aiming for around 200-300 extra calories a day which is equivalent to a sandwich and a piece of fruit, or a yoghurt with crackers and cheese. The third trimester is when your baby’s weight will triple so be sure to get plenty of goodness in your system during that time.
Weight gain is completely normal during pregnancy. It varies a lot from person to person, but around 12 to 16kg is average for a woman with a healthy weight. Your appetite might increase to make sure you’re eating enough too. As well as fuelling your baby, your body needs to lay down energy stores for breastfeeding later on. You also need plenty of nutrients for the increased tissue in your uterus, your placenta and your red blood cells.
If you would like more advice on your diet, contact one of our friendly nutrition experts.
