The rule is simple: pregnant women should eat 'for two' and not 'for two'. And although it is said that mums-to-be must not deny themselves anything, the truth is somewhat different.
The energy value of the meals consumed by pregnant women only increases in the second (by 360 kcal/day) and third trimester of pregnancy (by 475 kcal/day). The blessed state therefore does not give the green light to eat three chocolate bars a day and half a kilo of chips with mayonnaise.
How much more weight will I gain?
The weight gain of a woman of normal weight during pregnancy is 9-12 kilograms. Few people realise that it breaks down as follows:
- the baby (approx. 3.5 kg),
- foetal membranes (approx. 0.5 kg),
- uterine muscle growth (approx. 1 kg),
- placenta (approx. 1 kg),
- amniotic fluid (approx. 0.9 kg),
- tissue water (4-6 kg),
- enlarged breasts (0.5 kg).
Weight gain is slightly different depending on whether the woman is overweight (weight gain of up to 6 kg) or underweight (15 to 17 kg).
Vitamins for a boy and a girl!
Women who are expecting a baby should ensure that they eat a varied diet full of vitamins and minerals. Antioxidant vitamins such as A, E and C are particularly important, as they prevent hypertension and pregnancy poisoning and even premature birth.
