Nutrition for Multiples

When you’re pregnant with multiples it’s imperative that you eat a well-balanced diet that optimizes your babies’ growth and keeps you healthy during pregnancy. Barbara Luke, ScD, M.P.H., R.D., has revolutionized the way doctors around the globe treat women who are pregnant with multiples. Through her research she has proven that women expecting twins or more need to follow a diabetic diet and need to gain more weight early in the pregnancy. Luke has a large range of healthy recipes as well as menu options outlined in her best-selling book co-authored with Tamara Eberlein, When You’re Expecting Twins, Triplets, or Quads: Proven Guidelines for a Healthy Multiple Pregnancy. She has kindly agreed to share nutrition information and a recipe from her book:

Estimated Nutrient Requirements for Expectant Mothers of Multiples:

Nonpregnant Total calories from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates should total approximately 2,200 kcal

• Proteins (20%) from meats, seafood, poultry, and dairy products should total approximately 110 grams
• Carbohydrates (40%) from breads, cereals, pasta, dairy, and fruits should total approximately 220 grams
• Fat (40%) from dairy products, nuts, and oils should total approximately 98 grams

Singleton Total calories from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates should total approximately 2,500 kcal

• Proteins (20%) from meats, seafood, poultry, and dairy products should total approximately 126 grams
• Carbohydrates (40%) from breads, cereals, pasta, dairy, and fruits should total approximately 248 grams
• Fat (40%) from dairy products, nuts, and oils should total approximately 112 grams

Twin Pregnancy Total calories from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates should total approximately 3,500 kcal

• Proteins (20%) from meats, seafood, poultry, and dairy products should total approximately 176 grams
• Carbohydrates (40%) from breads, cereals, pasta, dairy, and fruits should total approximately 350 grams
• Fat (40%) from dairy products, nuts, and oils should total approximately 155 grams

Triplet Pregnancy Total calories from proteins, fats, and carbohydrates should total approximately 4,000 kcal

• Proteins (20%) from meats, seafood, poultry, and dairy products should total approximately 200 grams
• Carbohydrates (40%) from breads, cereals, pasta, dairy, and fruits should total approximately 400 grams
• Fat (40%) from dairy products, nuts, and oils should total approximately 178 grams