Extra fluid and calorie intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding

Extra fluid and calorie intake during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The term 'eating for two' doesnt actually wmean you need to eat twice the amount of food when you're pregnant.

Everyone is different and advice on calorie intake varies from country to country. The following information is guidance given by the NHS in the UK.

Although you may feel extremely hungry during pregnancy, along with all those cravings, your body normally doesn't actually need any extra calories until the last trimester. That said, don't starve yourself trying to count calories! The idea is to eat healthy and to eat when hungry. Its recommended that the average adult female consumes around 2000 calories per day pre pregnancy

From 28 weeks onwards, the recommended additional calorie intake is 200 which is the equivalent of a small snack or a couple of slices of bread! Its important to note that these extra calories should be healthy ones. There are exceptions to this guidance. If you are a teenager, significantly underweight prior to pregnancy or carrying twins, you may need to eat more calories.

It's also important to drink plenty during pregnancy to reduce the risk of dehydration & urine infections, as bacteria is less likely to build up with frequent urination. Drinking around 2 litres per day - around 4 x 500ml water bottles. . When you are breastfeeding, you are likely to need between 200-500 more calories than you ate pre-pregnancy Your body will tell you when you are hungry but It's always ideal yo have a snack and water handy when you are feeding. Your thirst will increase and so should you fluid intake - to around 3.5 litres a days. This will help to keep you hydrated and maintain a good milk supply.

Most of us Don't count calories so just listen to your body when it comes to food. Choose snacks that are healthy and unprocessed, and don't let more than 3 hours go by without eating something.