CarbohydrateNutrition library
LibraryNutrientsEnergy & macros
Carbohydrate
The body's preferred quick-energy source, sparing protein for tissue-building and feeding glucose-dependent fetal brain growth.
Trimester focus
| Stage | For the mother | For the baby |
|---|---|---|
| First trimester | Modest needs; sustained very-low intake (ketosis) is best avoided during organogenesis. | The developing neural tube relies on a steady glucose supply. |
| Second trimester | Needs rise alongside total energy. | Glucose is the primary fuel for the rapidly growing fetal brain. |
| Third trimester | Worth watching as insulin resistance rises — relevant to the glucose screen. | Sustained glucose delivery supports the final brain-growth surge. |