Do you have to eat more if you are pregnant with twins? & bull; hello healthy

The guidelines for healthy diets for mothers-to-be of twins or more are the same as for women carrying one baby, so you don't have to eat more.

The best advice is to listen to your body and eat only when you are hungry. You have to eat right, so that you and your baby get all the good nutrition, and will make sure that you are gaining enough weight to help your baby grow properly. Try to have a healthy and balanced diet.

Your daily diet should include a variety of foods from the 4 main food groups:

• Fresh, frozen, canned, dried or juiced fruit and vegetables. Try to eat at least 5 servings a day.
• Starchy foods, such as potatoes, rice, pasta, and bread, are preferably whole grains.
• Protein-rich foods such as meat, fish, eggs and whole grains. Eat at least two servings of fish a week, including oily fish if you can.
• Dairy products such as milk, cheese and yogurt, which contain calcium.

You need large amounts of iodine in your diet to help your baby develop. Dairy products, sea salt, and sea fish like cod are good sources of iodine, but don't consume more than a teaspoon (6g) of salt a day.

Do I need additional vitamins or supplements?

Regardless of the number of babies you have, you should consume 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily for the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.

You should also take a supplement containing 10 mcg of vitamin D during pregnancy and after, if you want to breastfeed.

You may want to take a daily multivitamin that contains folic acid and vitamin D. If you don't eat oily fish, you may want to take an omega-3 fish oil supplement, but first discuss it with your doctor, midwife, or dietitian.

At 20 to 24 weeks of pregnancy, you will need to have a blood test to check your iron levels. When iron levels are too low, you can develop anemia.

Anemia is more common in mothers carrying twins. Your doctor or midwife will prescribe iron supplements during pregnancy, if you need them. Always follow the advice of your doctor, midwife, or dietitian when taking supplements in pregnancy.

Number of calories required

It's difficult to determine how many calories you need because everyone's needs are slightly different. Instead of counting calories, it's better to eat when you're hungry, and choose healthy foods. It's okay to snack at mealtimes if you need extra energy.

Because you are pregnant with twins, you will gain weight faster than if you were pregnant with one child. However, you definitely don't need to eat 3 servings.

In fact, consuming more calories than you need may do more harm than good. Obesity will make you feel uncomfortable and vulnerable to other health problems.

Eating more than necessary will not benefit babies or prevent them from being born underweight. So, a high-calorie diet is not recommended for expectant mothers.

If you are wondering how you can have a healthy and balanced diet properly, pay attention to your meal schedule each trimester.

Where can I get advice on how to eat well?

Your midwife or doctor should talk to you about healthy eating in early pregnancy. Afterward, you may talk about your diet during regular visits.

A general practitioner may refer to a dietitian if:

• Your body mass index is over 30, or lower than 19 in early pregnancy.
• You are worried that you might gain weight during pregnancy, if you are not gaining enough weight, or if you are losing weight.

Is the baby getting enough nutrition if it is difficult for me to eat?

You may find it difficult to eat if you are pregnant with twins. You may experience symptoms such as nausea and feeling unwell, indigestion and constipation.

You don't have to worry because this will not be life threatening to your baby, as long as you are able to eat and drink lots of fluids.

This can be troublesome, as pregnancy symptoms may be worse than if you were pregnant with one baby. The cause is an increase in pregnancy hormones that are in your system.

Eat food that you can eat. Your baby can get nutrition later if you feel better.

However, talk to your doctor immediately if:

• Pain continues beyond the first trimester
• You have trouble swallowing food or drink

In the later stages of pregnancy, you may not want to eat too much. You may feel very full, right after eating and drinking.

Eat small, frequent meals may be easier for you than three meals a day.