What you should know about ‘eating for two’

Meaning well, some women take the expression "eating for two" quite literally during their pregnancy. In reality, pregnant mothers only need an extra 300 kcal per day from the second trimester onwards, says Jenette Yee, dietitian at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of KK Women's and Children's Hospital.

This extra need can be met quite easily by ensuring that the three main meals are taken, along with an additional one or two snacks in a day.

Eating for two doesn't increase the chances of giving birth to a healthier baby, notes Yee. What's more, the risk of gaining excessive weight from over eating may increase the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes.

"If the excessive weight gained during pregnancy is not lost after delivery, it may lead to a higher risk of weight-related complications later in life such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease," adds the dietitian.

Related article: The dangers of pregnancy diabetes

Proven and unproven pregnancy 'food rules'

One of the most common dietary mistakes is avoiding or eating excess amounts of certain foods, due to variable food and other beliefs related to pregnancy. These "food rules" vary when you speak to different people. Many pregnancy food beliefs have no scientific basis, and may not be necessary unless it is scientifically proven to cause an effect on health of mother and baby.

Due to cultural practices and generational differences, pregnant mothers may still follow the traditional "food rules", provided the overall diet is balanced, says Yee. For example, you may avoid eating pineapple so long as you are eating other fruits to obtain your fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytochemical needs.