2nd trimester - Calories?

I'm 14 weeks pregnant, just past morning nausia, and getting really hungry everyday. Before the pregnancy, I was 169 lbs, which is the upper end (maybe a little over) for a healthy weight for my height 5'10''  I have been eating 1,700 -1,900 calories daily and doing a moderate walking program 3 times a week, plus gardening, push mowing the 1/2 acre yard, not to shabby.

Walking with hand weights (Leslie Sansone 2-3 miles, 3-4 times a week) for the last few weeks. I don't know if it's that or my growing belly, but I'm hungry 2 hours after I eat. This usually only happens when I'm breastfeeding. I gained 2 pounds, so currently I weigh 171.

I need a good way to determing how many calories and how much protein I should be eating for the rest of my pregnancy. I do eat fairly healthy "In Defense of Food Style"- no soda, coffee, or white bread. A few sweets, chocolate do sneak in. I can't eat any type of "fake" sugar as I get headaches. I eat oatmeal and nuts for breakfast, soup/salad/sandwhich for lunch, something homecooked for dinner, and cheese or apple PB snacks with Ice cream 3 x a week for dessert. Any advise for gaining a health weight while pregnant AND not starving?

Only gaining two pounds at this point is great! The typical weight gain in the first trimester is 0-5 pounds. During the second trimester, you should be gaining 0.5-1 pound per week. This should be accomplished by eating 150-300 calories over your maintenance. The quality of food you're eating looks great although it may not be enough with all your physical activity. I eat 1600-1800 to maintain while not pregnant or breastfeeding and I'm only "lightly active."

I'd say eat when you're hungry as long as it's what you're eating now (and the chocolate and sweets are only in moderation!). If you do this and only indulge in cravings infrequently, you'll gain the right amount of weight. Just make sure you're actually hungry and not craving something (I drink a glass of water when I feel hunger pangs to make sure they're real). I gained 40 pounds, which is still too much but I've lost all but 2 pounds at almost 7 months postpartum (and I ate light ice cream every night...). I really haven't had to do anything other than breastfeed in order to drop the weight.

One of the most beneficial things you can do is keep up your exercise routine. Not only will it help during labor but it will help you get back in shape after baby is born.

 Edited to add: Congratulations! :)

Thanks! This is my 3rd pregnancy so you would think I'd have this down by now.... I was not planning on expanding the family again, as I was trying to get into the 145 range. I was 130 before my first pregnancy, a little to thin and not much muscle. Now I have more muscle, and much more fat on top. ughhh. I gained like 50 lbs in the first, and 35 in the second. I get down to 170 really easily within a month - then stay there. I breastfeed for about a year and feel like I'm STARVING between meals at 2,000 calories a day. walking is really hard to get done every day. If there are any post-delivery groups starting in November I will be joining. 

at 25 I never had an issue with weight before kids (one of those annoying people) - I just ate what I wanted and didn't "exercise" but had a moderate lifestyle on a farm doing activities. Now it seems all I do is count calories and TV workouts. I'm not enjoying it much and my metabolism left. I got the "body after baby" book and wow- realized my food budget would not cover all the meals just for me. So I'm trying to take care of myself now to make it easier to take care of the new baby, toddlers and myself when the time comes.

Thanks for the comments!

Ok, quick update. Now I'm more confused! I just went to this calculator

http://www.freedieting.com/tools/pregnancy_ca lorie_calculator.htm#

and it says I should be eating 2,455 calories in the 2nd trimester - going to 2,655 in the 3rd - and that's only exercising 3 times a week! I thought my resting metab was about 1,600 - So I should be eating about 1,900. That's a huge spread - any ideas on the discrepency? Or where to find my resing rate?

I think that according to your height, weight, activity level and your pregnancy, I would guess that in the 2200-2400 range is about right. I'm eating 1900-2100 while currently breastfeeding and I'm losing weight (at 5'2" and 130 pounds). It only makes sense that someone half a foot taller than me would need even more calories. In all honesty, I didn't count calories while pregnant. I gained a little excessively but it all came off with very little work.

I was one of "those people" who ate whatever they want and didn't exercise pre-pregancy. That changed after giving birth. What a wake up call for me!

I know it seems like a lot of calories to eat but it sounds like you need it if you're that hungry :)

Keep it simple. In the third trimester eat an extra 200cals a day.

Thats the advice of the health authority in the UK. Don't stress over numbers at this time- enjoy your pregnancy!!

I have to agree that your resting calories seem a little low, I'm about your weight just a bit shorter and maintain on 1800-1900cals.

Not to mention all the walking and general chores you seem to be doing it sounds like you have a moderate activity level which easily puts you at 2300 to maintain.

If you are starving eat more your body is trying to tell you something.

The best thing I think you can do is try eating the 2400c for a month if you start over gaining cut back a bit. Remember you should gain almost a pound a week in your 2nd trimester.  It's important to gain weight during pregnancy for the baby, I would try to err on the side of safely if you gain 5-10lbs to much that's a lot healthier for you baby then gaining 10lbs to little and you can loose it in a month after you give birth.