“Eating for two” not necessary

Interesting new research based on fruit flies (which apparently have similar metabolic responses to humans) has revealed a fascinating mechanism by which the growing foetus gains energy.  A hormone released in the flies after mating stimulates the intestines to grow dramatically and the mother’s body to store more fat.  The research, carried out at the Medical Research Council’s Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London, may well shed light onto the human response to pregnancy and has led experts to urge women to eat a healthy diet during pregnancy.  If the body is able to adapt to absorb more energy from the same amount of food then “eating for two” during pregnancy is certainly not needed.

Dr David Richmond, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) said: “It is in fact a myth that you need extra calories for the first two-thirds of pregnancy. It is only in the last 12 weeks that women need an extra 200 calories a day.  A healthy diet, vitamin supplementation and physical activity will benefit both you and your baby during pregnancy, it will also help you to maintain a healthy weight after you have had your baby.”

For more information about eating healthily in pregnancy visit our Be Healthy page here

Read the research here

The RCOG statement can be viewed here

RCM summary of the research viewable here