Food & lifestyle

Do you need to eat for two when pregnant?

Checked against the sources listed on this page. Not reviewed by a clinician. Last updated 5 November 2026. How we check.

Myth

No. The NHS says there’s no need to “eat for 2”. US guidance suggests no extra calories in the first trimester, about 340 extra a day in the second, and about 450 in the third.

What matters most is quality: protein, iron, calcium, folate, iodine and omega-3s. Gaining much more than recommended increases the risks of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure and a difficult birth.

References

  1. NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

Related weeks

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