Eating for Two — The Real Story on Prenatal Nutrition For Active Women
I had a strategy session call with a previous 1-on-1 client earlier this week that really got me thinking about how we aren't real enough about how important "eating for two" really is.
She asked me: "If the doctor says my baby is growing fine, how important is it really to push myself to eat more?"
Before I go on , this is a population of women where I see a lot of fear mongering on Instagram. That is not my vibe. What I told this client is that my recommendations were not about eating from a place of fear or pushing past what feels right. Rather, they are about giving her body the support it genuinely needs so she can feel strong and confident, for herself and her growing family , not just postpartum, but for the long term.
Rethinking “Eating For two”
When you're pregnant, your body becomes the most generous landlord on earth. Whatever you eat, baby gets first dibs. Whatever you don't eat? Your body will still find a way to give your baby what they need to grow which means possibly pulling from your bones, your brain, your reserves.
That's Mother Nature doing her job, and she's incredible at it. But here's what that means for you: if you're not eating enough calories or the right nutrients, the one left holding the bill is you, mama.
The women I work with have often come a long way just to get pregnant. They're athletes. They're driven. They care deeply about their health. And I know they didn't come this far to only come this far.
Here's the reframe: Eating for two = ensuring there's enough left over for YOU: your metabolism, your hormones, your energy for now, postpartum, and beyond.
Because here's what I see when that doesn't happen: women coming out of pregnancy exhausted, dealing with thyroid issues, postpartum mental health struggles, and general depletion. And then finding that the fitness they were excited to ease back into feels further away than ever. Not because they did anything wrong. Because they were so focused on doing everything right for her baby that they forgot to include themselves in the equation.
Motherhood is hard enough. My goal is to make sure your body isn't working against you when you get there : that you have the energy to show up for your baby, feel like yourself again, and yes, get back to the athlete you are. Those fitness and physique goals? There is nothing wrong with them. And they will be that much more within reach when your body has been properly supported along the way.
Key Nutrients to Prioritize
This isn't an exhaustive list , it's the ones I keep coming back to with clients because they move the needle most for both mama and baby.
