Final answer:
A pregnant woman needs approximately 300 extra calories per day to support the growing fetus. Doubling caloric intake is not necessary and can lead to excessive weight gain. A healthy diet is important for normal fetal growth and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pregnant woman needs approximately 300 extra calories per day, on average, to support the growing fetus. Most of these extra calories are needed during the last trimester when the fetus is growing rapidly.
Doubling the caloric intake during pregnancy is not necessary and may lead to excessive weight gain, which can have negative effects on both the mother and the baby.
It is important for a pregnant woman to eat a healthy diet, avoiding toxins and ensuring adequate nutrition to promote normal fetal growth and development.