If you have conceived and are wondering whether you should be eating for two now, the answer is - No. You shouldn't be eating for two, but should be eating right! Your nutritional needs do increase, as the baby's only food source is what you eat. But, that does not mean you need to eat double your normal appetite.

After conceiving, you need about 300 calories more than the normal requirements. So the overall food intake doesn't increase much with those extra calories. Need for other nutrients increases as well. Nutrients are folic acid, iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin B12 and proteins.

All these requirements can be met by having a well balanced diet. A balanced diet should contain all food groups including grains, pulses, legumes, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fats and oils. A good mixture of energy, proteins, vitamins, minerals, fibre, fluids and fats does the trick for you. Check with your Gynaecologist about the prenatal vitamins you need to take.

Your diet also depends on whether you were overweight or underweight or had normal weight before you conceived. Gaining the right amount of weight during pregnancy is very important for you and the baby. However, the ‘right' amount of weight depends on your current weight, your physical build, and whether you are genetically predisposed to conditions like diabetes. The range of normal and healthy weight gain during pregnancy is quite large. Beware of relying on internet information or pregnancy books which say you have to gain x amount of weight to have a healthy baby. Just make sure you are within the normal range. If you gain more or less weight than required, it may increase the risk of certain pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, etc.

Consult a Dietitian for a customized diet plan, to make sure you choose the right foods in the right quantities for a healthy pregnancy!