Research findings on nutritional surveys and energy requirements for pregnant women vary significantly. This discrepancy primarily stems from numerous factors influencing energy needs during pregnancy, including pre-pregnancy weight, body fat percentage, weight gain during pregnancy, environmental temperature, and the mother's activity level.
Energy intake during pregnancy should balance with energy expenditure. Excessive energy consumption leading to excessive maternal weight gain is detrimental to both mother and child.Total weight gain throughout pregnancy typically reaches approximately 12 kilograms. During the second and third trimesters, weekly weight gain should be no less than 0.3 kilograms and no more than 0.5 kilograms.
The total additional energy required for the entire pregnancy amounts to 80,000 kilocalories. After the fourth month of pregnancy, it is recommended that pregnant women consume an extra 200 kilocalories daily compared to non-pregnant women of the same physical activity level.