Newly pregnant & struggling to increase my calories

jenpaul42

Well, I never thought I'd have this problem! I've been overweight/obese my whole life. I began using MFP only about a month ago. I didn't even own a scale at first, so I was guessing my weight based on info from a month before. But in that short time I've gotten used to eating far less than I did before and I'm a little afraid to just go back to eating freely. And yet, I fear I've been eating too few calories even for a non-pregnant person. I tend to be well below my goal every day and I never eat back calories from exercise (I don't weigh everything, though, so I'm sure it's not exact). But I don't feel hungry -- I eat plenty of healthy stuff to keep me full . . . but not uncomfortably so for once in my life. I've felt so, so good this last month. Like I just learned to be a normal person. But now I must change.

In my effort to lose weight, did I just swerve from one unhealthy extreme (overeating) to the other? This is my 6th child. I have never had any problems in pregnancy or birth, and I tend to have a very easy time (even while breastfeeding a previous child) throughout pregnancy. In short, I'm pretty hearty. Assuming I get the proper nutrients and protein, I really don't feel like I need much more than what I'm getting. Maybe 1400 per day? But my normal meter is so terribly broken I haven't the foggiest notion of how much is proper for a person of my size and condition to be eating.

Any advice regarding how to proceed would be appreciated. I'm currently breastfeeding a 16-month-old, but I've been breastfeeding babies non-stop for over 9 years now, so that's pretty much part of my baseline.

RelCanonical

I would err on the side of higher since you're breastfeeding. What does MFP give you for maintenance? That would be a good place to start. If you're not feeling hungry, try adding more calorie-dense items to your diet, like full-fat dairy or a little bit of oil. A handful of nuts is also a decent choice for more calorie density. Doesn't need to be a lot to get the extra calories you probably need while breastfeeding.

harper16

These are all great questions for your doctor.
Congrats on your pregnancy.

jenpaul42

MFP recommends 2,090 calories per day for maintenance. I'm afraid I'll gain weight if I suddenly start eating that much. But I suppose I'll slowly increase over the next several weeks and see what happens.

harper16

jenpaul42 wrote: »

MFP recommends 2,090 calories per day for maintenance. I'm afraid I'll gain weight if I suddenly start eating that much. But I suppose I'll slowly increase over the next several weeks and see what happens.

You don't plan to gain weight during your pregnancy?

jenpaul42

harper16 wrote: »

You don't plan to gain weight during your pregnancy?

Oh no, of course I plan on gaining weight. I was responding to RelCannonical, and I'm in my first trimester. The baby is the size of a poppy seed, so I don't need additional calories right now. Sorry, I should've been clearer in my initial post -- my overall question is more about how many calories I should to aim to eat now that I'm no longer trying to lose weight, in light of how little I've been eating lately, not what I should be aiming for at the end of my pregnancy.

harper16

jenpaul42 wrote: »

harper16 wrote: »

You don't plan to gain weight during your pregnancy?

Oh no, of course I plan on gaining weight. I was responding to RelCannonical, and I'm in my first trimester. The baby is the size of a poppy seed, so I don't need additional calories right now. Sorry, I should've been clearer in my initial post -- my overall question is more about how many calories I should to aim to eat now that I'm no longer trying to lose weight, in light of how little I've been eating lately, not what I should be aiming for at the end of my pregnancy.

I'd still verify any info given on here with your doctor. They'll know your health and needs a lot better than people on the internet.

jenpaul42

harper16 wrote: »

I'd still verify any info given on here with your doctor. They'll know your health and needs a lot better than people on the internet.

Thanks, and yes I understand that. It's not generally necessary to see a doctor or midwife until one is more like 10 weeks along. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed and bewildered upon facing this new situation, so I was just reaching out for a little perspective.

4legsRbetterthan2

I found this thread really helpful when I tried to set goals while pregnant and breastfeeding. As is mentioned several times, run your plan by your doctor when you go to your next visit

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10176233/gaining-weight-during-pregnancy-and-losing-it-post-partum

Congratulations!