Eating For Two? Get It Right!

The phrase ‘eat for two’ does not give you licence to overeat – this could be really bad for you and your baby. Rather make ‘eat for two’ mean that you remain aware of baby’s nutritional needs too.

- Registered Dietitian Hannelise Rademan

It is a common misconception that your energy requirements are substantially increased when you’re pregnant compared to prior to conceiving.

“You need to eat enough calories specific for your weight, height and activity level,” says Hannelise Rademan, a registered dietitian currently volunteering at Worcester Provincial Hospital in the Western Cape. She explains that a dietician can work these requirements out for you if you are uncertain.

“Eating too much may lead to excessive weight gain, which should be avoided. Women who put on too much weight during pregnancy have a higher risk of complications associated with being overweight and obesity. These include gestational diabetes, miscarriage, preeclampsia, thromboembolism (blood clots) and maternal death,” Hannelise says.

“The risk of complications during labour and the risk of an emergency caesarean are also increased. In addition, the baby is also at higher risk of foetal death, stillbirth, congenital abnormality, and subsequent obesity,” she warns.

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is also more likely to lead to overweight and obesity in the mother after she gives birth.