[booskibabe]

I'm curious to see how many calories other preggos are eating. I'm 33 wks now and I've been averaging 2100 cals for the last month. I'm 5'4" and was 157 pre preggo. Is there an average amount that everyone is eating?
Thanks for helping my curiosity.

[aphil]

When I was pregnant with Saber, I ate 2000 calories a day during my FIRST trimester. I ate around 2200 a day during the second and third trimesters.

I also did prenatal strength training dvds, and did prenatal yoga, as well as continued teaching and performing belly dance.

I worked closely with my doctor as far as my diet was concerned, as I had issues with my blood sugar, and with the tendency for me, and my unborn child, to gain lots of weight. (My smallest was a 9 pound 3 ounce preemie!)

[booskibabe]

9lbs and a preemie?! Ouch. I forgot to mention that I haven't done much exercise. I know I'll probably pay for that during L&D, but it is what it is. Does that make a difference in how much to eat, do you think?

[aphil]

Well, what I ate during my pregnancies is probably about the lowest that I would ever recommend. The level that I was eating at was to try to stay the same weight during the first trimester, and to gain the recommended amounts during the second and third...as well as keep my blood sugar and the baby's size under control.

As far as exercise-I HIGHLY recommend it. It helps prevent back pain, helps keep you stronger and fitter with more stamina-so that you are better equpped to handle the demands of labor and delivery. Also, if you stay fitter, you are going to look better immediately after the baby is born, and have an easier time getting fit. If you don't exercise during your entire pregnancy, then after the baby is born, you are not only dealing with extra pounds...but the fact that everything has turned to "Jell-O" from inactivity.