Calories during pregnancy- MFP

Smolt

Prior to getting pregnant I was using my fitness pal to track my calories and had lost almost 20lbs.

I know I should not continue to diet during pregnancy so I intend to go back to maintenance calories which is right around 1,900 for me, I was previously eating between 1,200 - 1,400/day. 

From what I have read I should actually be eating maintenance plus 100 which would put me at a hair over 2,000 calories.

Is anyone else planning on tracking calories during pregnancy, and also what is your plan?  I don't want to go crazy eating- with my first pregnancy I craved burritos and gained 70lbs, with my second pregnancy I gained closer to 30 and I was so much more comfortable and the pregnancy was so much easier. 

Menrandes

That's a good question.  I lost 87 pounds over the last year and a half, so I'm struggling to make sure that I eat enough, or don't eat too much.  For me I think I'll just eat what I have been eating, plus an additional snack or two a day.  Should add up to around 300-400 calories more than I had been eating. 

I'll keep tracking, but I don't want to as obsessive about it as I was.  I want to eat when I'm hungry and not when I'm not.  Easier said than done sometimes, I think.

wendylouwhoknew

I think it's an extra 200. I use MyFitnessPal, too. I feel like it scolds me telling me I am eating too few calories. I feel full all the time. It's not the 'I'm not hungry' feeling, it's like I went to souplantation and gorged. MFP is an awesome tool and I'm glad I still use it.

maisonduchoco2

In 1st tri, the books tell you an extra 300 above your usual intake to maintain a weight gain. 

I have to eat small meals or else I feel sick.  If I don't eat, I also feel sick.  Oh the joy of m/s.  I will try my best to avoid ice cream and milkshakes this time since they make my weight jump big time.  Other than that, I'm all about moderation :-)

https://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/eating-well/pregnancy-diet/calories.aspx

Rocknroll64

Honestly I'm so hungry these days I've given up counting calories because it just makes me feel bad. lol

MrsT2008

I read that the general rule is 200-300 extra calories per day during pregnancy

Chellbell20

I've been using MFP too, I'd gotten away from it since I was just maintaining and doing well at it.  But I went back to tracking when I got KU since I need to eat more protein, which I am not good at doing (I'm a carbaholic).  Here is a good calculator that gives you what you'll need each trimester, sometimes it seems like MFP calculates low.

https://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_calorie_calculator.htm

cactus5

I struggle with this. I was really watching what I was eating prior to getting pregnant. Although I did stop counting a few weeks before my bfp. I am trying to eat at least 300 calories (really just two snacks) more than I was eating before. I work out a lot too, so I am trying to eat more at meals too. I was just thinking this morning that I need to count to make sure I am eating enough.

Smolt

Do I add the additional calories to what i was eating or do I add them to maintenance?

Peaceb0ne

Eeek, I'd drive myself crazy if I were counting calories right now! I've just been trying to eat healthy meals and snacks, with a few treats here and there.

Meg&Austin

I have the same problem. I have been dieting the lastyear it is so hard to start eating like a normal person! I read the first trimester you don't need extra calories but since I was dieting I have tried to add an extra 200-300 a day I was on a 1200 calorie diet.

IBackBevo

I use my fitness pal, too!  I also gained a lot with number 1. I have lost almost 50 lbs over the last year since having DS 1 and do not want to put it all back on.

Personally, I am just going to put it at maintenance calories. I cannot fathom that you really need to be eating that many extra calories...especially early on in the first tri.  I'm so early, the baby is still just a few cells.   

jennifers1979

For the most part when I'm pregnant, I just try to make healthy choices and eat only when I'm hungry.  If I start gaining more weight than I should, I'll start tracking calories.  I did during my first pregnancy when I gained 12 lbs in 2 months during second tri.  My OB suggested 1600 - 1800 calories/day (1600 is about my maintenance #).

wendylouwhoknew

This will be my 6th pregnancy. With girls I was too sick to eat. With boys, I was ravenous. B/g twin pregnancy I was straight up the middle. Right now, I also have a dietary issue and seem to have developed gluten intolerance. With #2 it was lactose intolerance.

So far, I have not consumed enough calories for maintenance, just weight loss. I can't seem to eat enough to get me anywheres near 1000, if I add iny exercise (which is yoga and gardening and feeding my chickens).

MMason12

I have used MFP for the past 3 years.  I was able to lose 140 pounds and I am mentally freaking out about having to actually put on weight. I am hoping I can manage to only put on 20-25 pounds throughout my whole pregnancy. 

I will adding anywhere from 200-700+ calories per day more depending on what I am doing that day. Before you freak out and think OMG 700+ calories she is crazy -- I am running my second marathon on December 1st.  I have long run days coming up where I will run 15, 16, and up to 20 miles a day. On days I run 20 miles I will have to add an extra 1,500-2,000 calories to my diet just to break even for the day.  On days I don't run or have shorter runs then I will only be adding 200 extra calories to my diet. 

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wendylouwhoknew

Carabiner252 said:

I use the free dieting calculator mentioned above. Now to control this insatiable sweet tooth...

Eat fresh fruit and that should help. If you stay away for processed sweets for a week you normally lose the cravings.

wendylouwhoknew

Finally won't get scolded at the end of the day. Didn't realize the Mexican Cobb salad at El Pollo Loco is over 900 calories! Oh so good with the cilantro dressing, though.

SMM1986

I'm not tracking cals, but I am trying to keep track of what I eat. I've been trying to eat balanced with a small treat and then indulge in my cravings on the weekends