For most pregnant teens, a healthy diet includes more --- but not too many more --- calories. Ask your doctor or other health worker what she recommends for you and your baby.
Daily Calorie Needs
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists cautions teen mothers: "Pregnancy is not the time to diet or try to lose weight." Most pregnant women need an extra 300 calories per day. Most pregnant teens need 2,000-plus total calories per day.
Recommended Weight Gain
The sign of enough calories throughout pregnancy is enough weight gain. If you are underweight, you probably should gain 28 to 40 lbs., if at a normal weight, 25 to 35 lbs. Even overweight pregnant teens often need to gain 15 to 20 lbs.
Reasons
Enough calories and weight gain from a well-balanced diet enable both you and your baby to receive adequate nutrients like protein and vitamins, grow properly and reduce the serious health risks of prematurity and low birth weight.
Help With Good Nutrition
My Pyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding makes good food choices easier, even if you are vegetarian or vegan. Women Infants Children, or WIC, offers free, nutritious food and referrals to affordable health care.
References
- American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Especially for Teens-Having a Baby
- National Eating Disorders Association: Eating Disorders & Pregnancy
- United States Department of Agriculture: Food and Nutrition Service: Women Infants Children (WIC) Program
- United States Department of Agriculture: My Food Pyramid for Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- United States Department of Agriculture: MyPyramid.gov: Tips and Resources: Vegetarian Diets
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