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Home > Services & Specialties > Obstetrics > Pregnancy Nutrition
Eating a well balanced diet will nourish your baby and help you gain a healthy amount of weight during your pregnancy.
Your health care provider will talk with you about how much weight you should gain. They'll consider your health history as well as your body mass index (BMI) before pregnancy.
Depending on which category your pre-pregnancy BMI falls in, here are the ranges associated:
If you're expecting multiple babies, talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain.
It's important to choose foods from all the food groups. Follow these guidelines in your 2nd and 3rd trimester to give your body the nutrients and extra calories it needs.
Half of your grains should be whole grains. You can get whole grains in whole grain cereals, whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, oatmeal, whole wheat tortillas, and brown rice.
One ounce equals:
Choose a variety of colorful fresh or cooked veggies such as:
Make wise choices about oils. Choose healthier fats such as those in nuts, fish, avocado, canola and olive oils. It's best to avoid fried foods.
Try to eat whole fruits instead of fruit juices. One cup of fruit equals:
One cup equals:
Note - If you cannot drink milk, choose other foods and drinks that have calcium.
One way to help you eat a balanced meal is to imagine dividing your plate in half. Cover half the plate with vegetables. Cover 1/4 of the plate with meat or beans and cover the other 1/4 with grains.
Add a cup of milk and a serving of fruit and/or vegetables and you've got a balanced meal. Snack on fruit and/or veggies if you have a hard time eating them at meal times.
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