Final answer:
Nancy's protein RDA would likely increase by 5-6 grams in the last trimester, bringing her requirement to around 52-53 grams per day during the final stages of pregnancy to support the growth and development of the baby.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nancy's protein Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) before she got pregnant was 47 grams per day. It is clear that during pregnancy, a woman's need for proteins and calories increases to support the growth and development of the baby. However, the overall increase in protein requirements is not as high as one might think. The food and nutrition experts have indicated that an additional amount of about 70,000 Kcal spread over the last 2/3rds of pregnancy is generally required, which translates into approximately an extra 300-400 Kcal per day. Specific nutrient like protein requirements is increased to accumulate at a rate of 5-6 g/day during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy.
Therefore, considering the extra demand for protein during the latter part of pregnancy, Nancy's daily protein RDA would likely increase by 5-6 grams in the last trimester. Consequently, this could mean that her protein requirement could be around 52-53 grams per day during the final stages of her pregnancy. It's essential to understand that the additional nutrient intake benefits both the mother and the developing fetus. Also noteworthy is that doubling the caloric intake as sometimes suggested by the myth of 'eating for two' is not advised, as it may lead to excessive weight gain and potential health risks for both mother and baby.