Pregnancy Calorie Calculator
Quick answer
Estimate your daily calorie needs during pregnancy, adjusted for your pre-pregnancy stats, activity level and trimester. We calculate your pre-pregnancy BMR with the Mifflin-St Jeor equation, multiply it by your activity level for TDEE, then add the Institute of Medicine’s trimester adjustment.
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How daily calories are calculated
BMR (Mifflin-St Jeor, female) = 10 × weight (kg) + 6.25 × height (cm) − 5 × age − 161
TDEE = BMR × activity factor (1.2 sedentary → 1.9 very active)
Total = TDEE + trimester addition: +0 kcal (1st) · +340 kcal (2nd) · +450 kcal (3rd)
Energy needs are estimated from pre-pregnancy weight. The IOM additions apply on top of your usual TDEE for a healthy singleton pregnancy.
Worked example
- 1
A 28-year-old woman, 165 cm and 65 kg before pregnancy.
- 2
BMR = 10 × 65 + 6.25 × 165 − 5 × 28 − 161 ≈ 1430 kcal/day.
- 3
Lightly active (×1.375): TDEE ≈ 1966 kcal/day.
- 4
In her second trimester: ≈ 1966 + 340 ≈ 2306 kcal/day.
How your calorie needs change
| Your result | Category | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | +0 kcal/day | In early pregnancy, total energy needs are roughly unchanged for most women — eat to your appetite and add nothing extra. |
| Second trimester | +340 kcal/day | Fetal growth accelerates. The IOM guidance suggests adding about 340 kcal/day on top of your usual needs. |
| Third trimester | +450 kcal/day | The biggest increase — the baby gains weight fastest now, and the IOM recommendation rises to about 450 kcal/day extra. |
| Twins or more | Higher needs | Multiple pregnancies require distinctly higher intake. This calculator is for single pregnancies — speak with your provider for multiples. |
Institute of Medicine (2009) energy-intake estimates on top of your usual pre-pregnancy TDEE for a healthy singleton pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions
Sources & further reading
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Open calculatorThis calculator provides general estimates for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. For personal guidance, consult a qualified healthcare provider.