INFOGRAPHICPREGNANCY

What It Really Means to Eat for 2

By Bailey Miller
Reviewed by Alyssa Quimby, M.D.
September 04, 2024
Did You Know? During pregnancy, most pregnant people should eat about 340 extra calories per day in the 2nd trimester and 450 extra in the 3rd. Getting the right amount of healthy food helps you provide essential nutrients to your baby while also keeping you at a healthy weight. Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

For most people, it’s important to increase how much you eat during pregnancy. Extra calories fuel both you and your developing baby. So, focus on maintaining a healthy, nutritious diet—with just a few more calories than usual.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that most pregnant people increase their daily caloric intake by about 340 calories in the second trimester and by about 450 calories in the third trimester.

Carrying multiples? If you’re pregnant with twins, it should be about 600 extra calories per day. For triplets, the recommendation is to consume an additional 900 daily.

To easily add calories to your diet, try incorporating a couple of small, healthy snacks throughout the day or making simple changes like switching from nonfat to full-fat yogurt or cottage cheese. Keep it simple with nuts, veggies, or fruit, or make one of our favorite healthy snack recipes:

Consult your doctor to make sure you’re eating enough to feed you and your growing baby. Every body is different!