Pregnant and hungry ALL the time

whitney9988

I am currently 26 weeks pregnant. Over the past few days my appetite has picked up and feels like I am never full. I try to make healthier choices so my weight doesn't sky rocket and gradually goes up like its supposed too but I need help on finding ways to curb my appetite or something that will stick with me longer so I don't over do it. Any ideas?

hstoblish

This is a really normal feeling. I wouldn't worry about it too much. Drink lots of water to make sure you aren't mistaking thirst for hunger, and keep some dark chocolate around in case you get a sweet craving.

For some people, their weight gains quickly and then they stop gaining. My best friend and I were pregnant at the same time. I didn't start showing until 3-4 months and was wearing my normal pants until I was about 8 months pregnant because I was carrying so high. It was a very gradual gain of 30 pounds for me, and while it was relatively steady, I still gained more some months than others.. My friend gained about the same amount, but she started showing much earlier. We saw one another at a wedding at about 5 months and she looked ready to pop. I looked about 3-4 months pregnant. In the end, we looked the same, gained the same etc. just gained it

My point is that there is no reason to freak out if you do gain fast, because it's not really a steady gain. It tends to happen in fits and starts.

hwoeltjen

I want you to read this.

http://www.whattoexpect.com/pregnancy/symptoms-and-solutions/appetite.aspx

I think all of the information here is great. Generally speaking, this information applies even when you aren't pregnant. Hope this helps.

wozkaa

Healthy snacks and protein helped me. I was in my 2nd trimester with twins when the hungries hit, and OH BOY did i eat when I could. As the babies got bigger, I could eat less so I included raw nuts and boiled eggs. I had terrible reflux so drinking water just made it worse.
Good luck.
edit: FYI I got fat after the babies arrived - within a few weeks I was only 3 kg above pre pregnancy weight so don't panic if you see my ticker!

acogg

I don't believe in dieting while pregnant and or nursing. It is my opinion that you crave what you need and you should eat it. Most men like happy, healthy fat wives. Lose the weight when the baby is six months old or older. Having a baby is a big deal and should be dealt with accordingly. Enjoy the special time and congrats to all who achieve and all who are trying.

ali4579

Congratulations

After years and years of yo-yo dieting, my pregnancy with my firstborn was the moment went I decided to learn to trust my body to tell me when it was hungry. So if I was hungry, I ate (oh how I ate!!) I gained approx 15kg/30pounds with both of my pregnancies and both times I'd lost all of that weight without trying by 6 weeks, which tells me I did it right.

By all means keep an eye on your weight, and keep your bull**** detector on - you'll know if you're eating your emotions or if your body is really hungry. Good Luck

training2bme

I don't believe in dieting while pregnant and or nursing. It is my opinion that you crave what you need and you should eat it. Most men like happy, healthy fat wives. Lose the weight when the baby is six months old or older. Having a baby is a big deal and should be dealt with accordingly. Enjoy the special time and congrats to all who achieve and all who are trying.

I agree with most of this. I am also pregnant and my weight was a huge problem for me before I got pregnant but now, not so much. I eat what I'm craving and I'll worry about the weight after my son is born; because I know most of it is him anyway. I'm more worried about a healthy baby than my weight right now.

PlumpKitten

I wouldn't do anything weird to "curb your appetite." Your appetite is supposed to go through the roof -- you are creating another human being who needs to develop bones, muscies, fat and organs. Your body will funnel nutriants to the baby first, mother second.

My great ob/gyn told me he's seen many new mothers come out of pregnancy with iron and calcium deficiencies. (I am in Asia, where people have a much leaner diet, and there is more pressure for women to stay very thin).

* Make sure you are taking a multivitamin for pregnant ladies -- one with folic acid. Sometimes cravings come from our bodies telling us that we are lacking certain nutriants.
* Keep healthy snacks around. I always had packets of wheat crackers, rice cakes, dried fruit, nuts and / or granola bars in my purse. I kept rice cakes in my desk at work, and low-fat yogurts in the office fridge. I kept plastic containers of pre-cut and washed fruit pieces and vegetable sticks in my home fridge, in case I got hungry at night.
* Don't skip meals or skimp on portions. You're better off eating an extra serving of rice, vegetables and chicken -- instead of going hungry and then getting tempted by a vending machine or fast food place.
* Realize that pregnancy weight gain is non-linear and random. My first pregnancy, I was constantly online checking myself against charts of what I should / should not gain. My second pregnancy, I gave up -- and still gained a normal, healthy amount.
* If you're concerned about getting fat, avoid sweets, junk food, fast food, packaged foods, etc. While you should never go hungry while pregnant, it's not like your baby needs a hot fudge sundae to develop either.

And congratulations! Good luck with the baby.

whitney9988

1. I am not trying to diet or lose weight!

2. Just because you crave it doesn't mean you need it. You need healthly calories not just junk food. People crave things that can harm themselves or the baby. And gaining to much or too little weight can be bad for mom and baby as well especially if you aren't at an ideal weight to start with. Do your research.

It could be thirst instead of hunger. Maybe that's why I'm wanting saltier foods like salami? It just started Thursday and I just never feel satisfied basically. I've gained back what I lost when I was suffering with hyperemesis which I'm more than ok with but in the past few days I've gained an additional 6 lbs. That's just why I'm a little worried. With my other two it never came on this suddenly so it's a bit of a shock. I was thinking maybe she's going through a growth spurt? The main point was to find foods to try that would satisfy hunger and are good for baby and I. Thank you.

kickinkate

I just found my appetite pick up too. Baby is growing!

I'm 25 weeks pregnant (with my third) and always have large babies (9 lb 10oz, and 8lb 10oz). I had heavy carb diets in previous pregnancies. I am trying for a smaller baby this time.

I'm now trying to limit my carbs as I find that carbs make me more hungry. I ate something the other day, and found I was hungrier afterwards!

The gestational diabeties guideline is 180 g per day, so I am trying to stay around that (and I am failing!)

The biggest thing I have found to help me stay full is protein! If I have a carb, I partner it with protein.

If I have a banana or apple, I dip it in peanut butter - yum!

If I get hungry, I have a handful of nuts.

If I have yogurt, I have plain and add strawberries. The yoplait I was eating was 33g of carbs and now it is down to 20g.

Its the little things. Just try to make healthy choices and follow your body. Just take note if you feel hungrier after certain foods, and maybe try to avoid those and see if things get better.

whitney9988

Funny thing is the appetite slowed down to normal about 3-4 days after it started. When I went back to class everyone could tell she grew. I just never experienced this sudden compulsion to eat with my other two. I actually found greek yogurt helps control hunger and takes me a little longer to eat. I add extra fruit or a small amount of chocolate chips if I crave sugary foods. Carbs are my weakness right now too. I just want to make sure I make the best nutritional decision I can for myself and for her.