The opposite case, an excessive increase in calorie intake, will entail greater risk of maternal obesity and greater fetal weight, generating an increased risk of preeclampsia , < Strong> Gestational diabetes , Instrumental delivery and increase the possibility of cesarean section .

What are the needs of calories during pregnancy

The increase in caloric needs in pregnancy increase mainly in the second and third trimester of gestation. In the first part of pregnancy, the needs are very similar to the state of non-gestation. It is from the second trimester when an increase in the total calorie content of the diet is needed

Calories in the first trimester of pregnancy

During the first trimester, the eating habits of the pregnant woman should concentrate on maintaining a balanced and varied diet. The average amount of calories in a normal woman less than 30 years is about 2,000 calories a day. In the case of women over 31 years, these recommendations descend to 1,800 calories.

With a greater intake of fruits, vegetables and pasta, needs are met in the first three months of gestation, increasing the intake in less than 300 calories per day

Calories in the second trimester of pregnancy

During the second trimester, The increase in the recommended calorie intake is 340 calories per day . Between the third and sixth month of pregnancy, the highest energy requirements accumulate. In this period, important changes occur in the maternal metabolism. These changes include increasing the resistance to insulin action on all maternal tissues, with the consequent increase in blood glucose, and with this, the increase of maternal glucose and fatty acid deposits. All these facts intend to meet two precepts: maintain maternal energy deposits and ensure the necessary nutrient and energy passage for the correct fetal development .

Calories in the third trimester of pregnancy

During the last trimester of gestation The needs of pregnancy calories increase in 450 calories daily . This increase is attributed to the maturation of tissues that have already been previously developed in the fetus, as well as the maintenance of all these new tissues that bring a greater metabolic spending. In this quarter there is also a very rapid growth of fetal tissues. It is during this quarter when the greatest weight gain and the greater storage of fatty acids by the newborn future.

To this increase in fetal energy needs must be added that the pregnant mother needs a greater basal energy expenditure during these last weeks to maintain the normal activity of her. In addition to this increase in caloric intake, the pregnant woman will specify a greater maternal rest .

Power keys in the gestant

• There is a false belief about the pregnant woman should “eat for two”. This affirmation is totally false and can cause an excessive increase in weight in pregnancy; This considerably raises the complications that may exist during this period.
  
  • The idea that all pregnant women should be considering is that it must follow a equilibrated diet based on carbohydrates, proteins of high biological power and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Diet during pregnancy should be formed by three main meals per day , breakfast, lunch and dinner, associated with two Refreshments to avoid prolonging fasting periods. The main food should be cereals, pasta, rice, fruits and vegetables. Meats and fish preferably ingested cooked grilled to avoid fats. Sweets, especially industrially manufactured, should be avoided as much as possible.

  Five meals a day during pregnancy

  By maintaining a balanced diet, and encouraging the intake of five meals a day, we can ensure adequate nutrition during pregnancy. Increased calorie needs can be met with mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks . Some examples for these foods are:

  • Two medium pieces of fruit
  • A large piece of fruit with a yogurt
  • A cheesy turkey sandwich
  • A 200 ml fruit shake
  • A glass of milk with toast

  These combinations account for around 300 calories each, meeting the needs for increased caloric intake during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.

  In the third trimester, in addition to these snacks, a slight increase in the amount eaten at each meal, associated with a decrease in maternal activity, will meet the caloric needs of the woman’s state.

  Importance of calories in the diet

  The basic elements for any diet are carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. In addition, other influencing substances in the diet are vitamins and minerals. All these substances will have an energy capacity that will be used in the body once ingested. This energy capacity is measured in calories.

  The calorie is a unit of measure of energy. The calories of each food that we eat will therefore depend on the energy capacity that each food will provide when it is metabolized.

  Maintaining the body’s functions, as well as facilitating cell growth and development, will always involve energy consumption. All this expenditure is provided daily through the calories contained in food. Due to this fact, depending on the lifestyle, each human being will have an energy requirement to cover daily with their own diet. With this clear concept we can understand why diets have a number of calories depending on their purpose, weight loss or gain, maintenance. There are also special diets with increased requirements for certain nutrients, independent of the amount of calories.

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