Diet Charts

Key points

• Aim for ~300–350 extra kcal/day in the 2nd and 3rd trimester over your pre-pregnancy diet.
• Take folic acid, iron and calcium supplements exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• Drink at least 8–10 glasses of water through the day.
• Prefer whole grains, seasonal vegetables and fruits, and home-cooked food.
• Limit fried, processed and very sugary foods.

Key points

• Restrict added salt — avoid pickles, papad, chips, namkeen and processed/packaged foods.
• Include potassium-rich foods: banana, spinach, sweet potato, coconut water (as your doctor advises).
• Avoid deep-fried and high-fat foods; use minimal oil in cooking.
• Limit caffeine (tea/coffee) to 1 cup a day.
• Monitor blood pressure regularly and report headache, blurred vision or swelling immediately.
• This chart is a general guide — sodium restriction should be individualised by your doctor, especially if on medication.

Key points

• Eat small, frequent meals (5–6/day) to keep blood sugar steady — never skip meals.
• Prefer whole grains and high-fibre foods over refined flour, white rice and sugar.
• Avoid sweets, fruit juices, sugary drinks, and limit high-GI fruits like mango, banana and grapes.
• Pair carbohydrates with protein or fibre (dal, curd, vegetables) at each meal.
• Monitor blood sugar as advised and adjust portions with your doctor/dietitian's guidance.
• Regular light activity (short walks after meals) helps control blood sugar — as approved by your doctor.

Key points

• Caloric needs are higher than a singleton pregnancy — roughly +600 kcal/day above pre-pregnancy needs (individualise with your doctor).
• Increase protein intake (dal, paneer, eggs, milk, legumes) to support the growth of two babies.
• Extra iron, calcium and folic acid supplementation is usually needed — take exactly as prescribed.
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals as space for the stomach reduces later in pregnancy.
• Stay well hydrated and rest adequately; watch for early warning signs of preterm labour.
• Weight gain targets differ for twin pregnancies — follow your doctor's individualised targets.

Key points

• Extra attention to folic acid, calcium and vitamin D supports bone health and reduces neural tube defect risk.
• Include omega-3 rich foods (walnuts, flaxseeds, fish if non-vegetarian) as advised.
• Maintain steady, healthy weight gain — avoid excess calorie intake, especially if overweight.
• Increased vigilance for gestational diabetes and hypertension is usual after age 30–35 — follow all screening tests advised.
• Include antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables (berries, citrus, leafy greens).
• Attend all scheduled scans and screening tests, which may be more frequent at this age.