Eating well in pregnancy

What can I eat in pregnancy?

You can eat most things during pregnancy, but there are some things that you are advised to avoid because there is a small risk that you might harm the baby's development.Some cheeses, some fish and some meats, for example.

You can read about the things you should avoid here.

How much should I eat in pregnancy?

During most of your pregnancy you don't need to eat more than you ate before you were pregnant. If you are active you may need an extra 200 calories or so in the third trimester.

Read more about how much you should eat in pregnancy here

How much weight should I gain during my pregnancy?

As every woman is different there are no UK guidelines as to how much weight you should put on in pregnancy. The US has developed some guidelines on weight gain in pregnancy and you can read about these here.

Can I diet during pregnancy?

No, it is not advised to diet during pregnancy. This is because you may restrict certain nutrients to your baby if you diet. The recommended amount of calories for women is 2,000 a day and this is fine for the first two trimesters. In the third trimester you can eat an extra 200 calories if you are active. 

The most important thing is to keep weight gain to a safe and healthy level for you and your baby.

Read more about dieting and pregnancy