Right here, right now, let's make a deal to take the "eating for two" mantra and pack it right into our conversational diaper genie -- never to see it, speak it, smell it, or think it ever again. The truth is that when you actually follow the science and look at adequate calorie consumption for growing a healthy baby, the more accurate principle that pregnant women should follow is "eating for 1.1."

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YOU: Having a Baby: The Owner's Manual to a Happy and Healthy Pregnancy
When you are pregnant, a surge of hormones -- such as human placental lactogen (HPL) -- changes the way your body processes energy, stores fat, and delivers nutrients to your baby.
You need extra energy to grow another human. But before you put Burritos R Us on speed dial, be aware that the boost doesn't exactly translate to "eating for two." In fact, a more accurate guideline is "eating for 1.1." Essentially, when you're pregnant, you need to eat only 10% more than the number of calories you ordinarily eat.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.