AskMeDoctor! Episode 7 - Is Eating for Two (Me and My Baby) a Real Thing?

One of the most common 'advice' or sayings that a pregnant mother will often hear is 'eating for two' - you should eat more since you are carrying a baby inside you. Dr Timothy Lee, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist form Tung Shin Hospital and Sunway Medical Centre Velocity shared a more detailed explanation about eating for two throughout the pregnancy. Q1: When is the right time for me to eat extra calories: is it during the first trimester or after that? Dr Timothy: You will need about 1,800 calories per day in the first trimester, 2,200 calories per day in the second trimester and 2,400 calories per day during the third trimester. Q2: Is pregorexia common among pregnant women? Dr Timothy: Pregorexia is an eating disorder during pregnancy. It is a condition where a woman practices extreme dieting and constantly exercising. And she is more concerned about her weight rather than health. This condition can lead to malnutrition and it can also put risks to the baby in the form of retardation, low-birth weight, as well as birth defects. Q3: Is it normal to experience nausea in the first trimester? Dr Timothy: Nausea is common in the first trimester. Nause is caused by the increase in hormone levels during the first weeks of pregnancy. Q4: Are artificial sweeteners safe during pregnancy? Dr Timothy: Artificial sweeteners that are safe during pregnancy are stevia, aspartame and sucralose. Saccharin and cyclamate should be avoided. Q5: Is eating for two a real thing? Should I double up my portion, in order to get sufficient nutrients for both me and my baby? Can being too full hurt the baby? Dr Timothy: Eating for two is a myth. If you double your food portion, you will end up consuming excessive calories. This will not help with your weight control. You need to increase the intake of certain nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, but take it in the right balance. Being too full can lead to discomfort, indigestion, heartburn, nausea and vomiting. FOOD CRAVINGS Q6: Do all pregnant women experience food cravings? How do I manage my food cravings? Dr Timothy: Food cravings are common in pregnancy and they tend to peak during the second trimester. You can consume food that you crave as long as it is not something harmful. Do remember to eat in moderation and consider healthy alternatives. Since food cravings during pregnancy are normal, if you have a sudden urge for a particular food, go ahead and indulge it. Only if it provides you with energy and essential nutrients. Q7: How much caffeine consumption is allowed during pregnancy? Dr Timothy: Caffeine intake should be limited to 200 micrograms per day. A general rule is not more than a cup of coffee or tea a day. Caffeine can also be found in soft drinks and energy drinks. Q8: Is it fine to be on a diet during pregnancy like practising intermittent fasting? Dr Timothy: If weight gain is a concern, you should consume a healthy and balanced diet. Stay away from excess calories and sugar, instead of dieting or skipping meals. For long intermittent fasting during pregnancy, it may lead to low birth-weight babies. Q9: Can I eat seafood during pregnancy? I heard that we should be eating fish more than we usually do. Dr Timothy: Seafood like fish and shellfish are a good source of protein, iron, and zinc. Fish is also a rich recourse of DHA, which promotes the baby’s brain development. Try to stay away from large predatory fish like sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish - as they contain high levels of mercury. Safer choices are salmon, anchovies, sardines, canned tuna, shrimps, tilapia, and pacific mackerel. Make sure that you cook your seafood thoroughly and avoid eating raw seafood. Yes. crabs are safe to consume, too as they are cooked. Q10: What are the supplements that pregnant women should take during pregnancy? Dr Timothy: women are recommended to take at least 400 micrograms of folic acid per day prior to conception to 12 weeks of pregnancy. Folic acid prevents neural tube defect in babies. Vitamin D is important to both pregnant and lactating mothers as it helps regulate calcium and phosphate in the body. Iron is essential in preventing anemia. Calcium is vital for a baby’s bones and teeth. However, be cautious about excessive Vitamin A as it can be harmful to the baby. You may consider taking prenatal supplements, which are multivitamin-formulated to meet your pregnancy needs. https://youtu.be/UKA8QdSdyYY All in all, stay healthy by eating a balanced diet and make sure you are getting plenty of water and sleep. Remember to seek for a consultation before you consume anything that you are not sure of. Stay tuned with our AskMeDoctor series at Motherhood Story and our Facebook page.

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