How many extra calories do I need to eat?
Obviously you're going to gain weight during pregnancy – you have a baby growing inside you after all! But if you have a good pre-pregnancy weight, a healthy metabolism and a nutritionally balanced diet during your pregnancy, a reasonable weight gain during pregnancy s about 11.5-16kg, but this can vary between women.
As for the extra calories you'll need for your baby, this really only comes into play when you get to your third trimester. Your energy requirements will only increase a little - about 300-450 extra calories per day should be enough if you had a healthy weight before your pregnancy.
But put aside those visions of double dinners! Just something like two extra slices of wholemeal toast can supply those extra calories your baby needs.
What you should eat during pregnancy
How much you eat isn't as important as how well you eat. Your baby is getting their nourishment directly from you, so try and eat a well balanced diet, avoiding too many sugary snacks (which get your blood sugars up and then rapidly down again, which can confuse your metabolism and might leave you feeling quite low or lightheaded at times).
The main thing is not to be too hard on yourself. Some days you'll feel ravenous, others you'll just want to graze. If you have morning sickness, try eating little and often this may help. Just go with your instincts. You'll be amazed how well your body is designed for pregnancy!