What and how you eat during pregnancy will affect your child's future health. You can protect your health and the health of your growing baby with a healthy diet. During pregnancy, you'll need extra calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals. The proper foods will give your body the energy and nutritional resources it needs to support the developing fetus.

Pregnancy is a time of "extras": extra tender love and care for you and your new life inside, and extra weight! How much weight do you need to gain? Put it this way: pregnancy is not the time to lose weight or diet. During your pregnancy you should aim to gain about 25 lbs to 35 lbs (11.4 kg to 15.9 kg), although this might vary depending on your pre-pregnancy weight and whether you are carrying twins or multiples.

Your weight gain during pregnancy likely will not be steady at first. Most women typically gain between 3 lbs and 4 lbs (1.4 kg to 1.8 kg) during the first trimester. You should gain weight slowly but steadily during the last half of your pregnancy. A good rate of weight gain after the first trimester is approximately one pound (0.45 kg) each week.

Keep in mind that these are average figures for women who were at a healthy weight before pregnancy, so if your weight-gain pattern is different, it doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian about what is an appropriate weight gain during pregnancy for you.

Keep in mind the following tips:

• Your weight before pregnancy will determine what is considered a healthy weight gain for you during pregnancy. While weight gain is normal during pregnancy, you should contact your doctor if you experience any sudden changes (gains or losses).
• Dieting is strongly discouraged during pregnancy, as it may be harmful to the development of the baby.
• You should choose from a variety of healthy food options to ensure you are getting the best nutrition possible.