Grow, Baby, Grow! 10 Healthy Ways to Get the Extra Calories You Need During Pregnancy

Updated on 3/29/2016 at 3:20 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Grace Hitchcock

Think "eating for two" means two slices of birthday cake, two Venti Frappuccinos (caffeine-free, of course), and two extra slices of pizza? Think again. According to the American Pregnancy Association, the average mom-to-be only needs an extra 300 calories per day in the second and third trimesters. This can vary based on prepregnancy weight, activity level, and how many buns are in your oven, so you know the drill — talk to your healthcare provider to determine your specific needs.

Most days, you want those extra calories to be healthy ones, so we've dished out options for every meal. But because pregnancy cravings are sometimes too loud to be ignored, we've also thrown a few treats in the mix.

Start the Morning Off Right

Your mom was right; breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Show your baby some motherly love by starting your day with this healthy, well-rounded morning meal.

What You Need:

2 hard-boiled eggs
1 whole-grain english muffin
1 teaspoon butter
1 tablespoon strawberry jam (no sugar added)

Midmorning Snack

You can’t go wrong with the tried-and-true combination of peanut butter and banana. Add a drizzle of honey for sweetness, and you’ve got the perfect midmorning snack.

What You Need:

1 large banana
1 1/2 tablespoons natural peanut butter
1/2 tablespoon honey

The Perfect Second Breakfast

Second breakfast is a real thing during pregnancy, so why not make it a sweet one? Layer the yogurt, walnuts, and dark chocolate chips in a glass, and you’ve got yourself a fancy parfait.

What You Need:

1 150-gram container of Siggi's Blueberry Nonfat Yogurt
2 tablespoons walnuts
18 dark chocolate chips

Protein-Packed Snack

No tummy rumbling here! This protein-packed snack will hold hunger at bay until your next meal.

What You Need:

8 cheese cubes
3 tablespoons roasted red pepper hummus
15 baby carrots

Sweet, Salty, AND Crunchy!

Sweet, salty, and crunchy. It’s a pregnant mama’s dream!

What You Need:

10 slices AppleGate Farms salami
1 medium Granny Smith apple
2 tablespoons Newman's Own honey-mustard dressing

Lunch Is Served

Lunchtime! The Greek yogurt and avocado in this Mexican-inspired baked potato provide lots of healthy fats for your baby’s growing brain.

What You Need:

1/2 large baked potato
1/4 cup full-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup pico de gallo
1/2 medium avocado

Combat Morning Sickness

Morning sickness got you down? Sometimes being basic is a good thing — this traditional combo is sure to settle your stomach.

What You Need:

13 saltine crackers
12-ounce ginger ale

Indulgent Dessert

Pregnancy is not the time to deny yourself dessert. You can enjoy this healthy indulgence without one single ounce of guilt.

What You Need:

2 caramel rice cakes
2 tablespoons natural almond butter
1/2 cup sliced strawberries

Fruity Chocolate Treat

OK, it’s not a real brownie, but it tastes great and is much better for you. Throw in some mixed berries, too!

What You Need:

Chocolate Brownie Clif Bar
1 cup mixed berries

Sweet and Sour Snack

We’re pretty sure that whole pickles and ice cream thing is an urban legend, but, just in case you were wondering, you can get your little one those extra 300 calories with this sweet and sour combo.

What You Need:

5 dill pickle spears
1/2 cup cookies and cream ice cream