I was ravenous too! When about 5/6 weeks pregnant with dc1 got my lunch out (big box of pasta salad) at 10am coffee break at work. Ate it really fast, then realised I was attracting attention and someone piped up, 'do you think you might be pregnant'? Obvious didn't want to announce anything that early and made an excuse that I had missed dinner the night before! After that I hid in the loo with whatever I desperately needed to eat. I had morning sickness at the same time so it all felt a bit weird! Show
Are you struggling with consuming enough food to make you feel full? Are you wondering why this pregnancy has you wanting to eat every second of the day? We’ve been there, and we know the feeling well! It’s normal to experience constant hunger during pregnancy, especially during the second trimester when you get your appetite and energy back. But it can be frustrating at a time when you’re trying to pay especially close attention to your health. It can be easy to overeat when you’re pregnant, as you can always blame it on the fact that you’re “eating for two.” But we all know how unhealthy this can be — not just for you but for your baby too. In this article, we’ll explain why you may be hungry and give you some tips to help tame that appetite so you can keep yourself and your baby healthy throughout your pregnancy. Table of Contents
Increased Appetite During Early PregnancyIn early pregnancy, the struggle can get real. You may be suffering from morning sickness and tons of other bodily changes, yet you still find yourself hungry all the time. Many women experience this increased appetite during the first trimester because vomiting from morning sickness leaves their stomachs empty. Your appetite may have increased because the food you are eating is not being absorbed into your body. Your body is trying to grow a tiny human and keep you nourished, but you may be consuming fewer calories now than before you were pregnant. The increased hunger you’re feeling means you need to try to increase your food intake when you’re not feeling nauseated. Learn to navigate the bumpy waters of cravings and aversions to ensure you eat healthy foods and keep them down. You and your baby need all those calories. Is Constant Hunger a Sign of Pregnancy?Very early in your pregnancy, you may begin to experience particular food cravings and hunger pangs. Hunger pangs alone aren’t enough to immediately lead you to believe you are pregnant, but if they are paired with a missed period, tender breasts, morning sickness, and fatigue — you might be on to something. What is a Hunger Pang?We experience hunger pangs in the upper abdomen. The inner lining of your stomach becomes irritable, which leads you to intense feelings of hunger (1). When you’re pregnant, your stomach becomes empty after digestion. An empty stomach leaves the inner linings exposed and can cause them to rub together. The irritation of the walls of the stomach rubbing together can cause hunger pangs to occur. Pro Tip The best thing you can do to avoid hunger pangs is to make sure your belly is never completely empty during the day. Don’t indulge in large meals 24/7, but feel free to eat small snacks when needed. This is also a good tip for decreasing acid reflux. What Causes Hunger Pangs When Pregnant?There are numerous causes of hunger pangs. It can be difficult to pinpoint just one, but these are several possibilities:
How to Combat Hunger PangsYou may not have total control over hunger pangs, but these are some steps that helped them subside for us, and many other moms have found them helpful too.
When Does Your Appetite Increase?Many women may notice their hunger increase during the first trimester, but the second trimester is when it seems to peak. Once your morning sickness subsides, you will be thrilled to be able to keep down any food, so you may feel the urge to splurge. Will Your Appetite Decrease?Some women notice their hunger seems to subside once they reach the third trimester. However, it’s different for each of us. You may feel like you are never hungry, or you may be hungry every couple of hours. Your baby is growing bigger, which leaves less room for your stomach. Your stomach can’t hold as much food as usual, which can cause your appetite to decrease. Even if you don’t feel hungry, you need to eat enough to help sustain yourself and your baby. You should be eating at least 500 extra calories a day (2).
Editor's Note: Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BCWhy Do You Feel Hungry 24/7?Your body has to work in overdrive when you’re pregnant to help sustain you and your growing baby. This means it is constantly working night and day. You need those extra calories because you are busy growing a human! Think about the extra energy it takes to grow a heart, brain, and lungs. It’s amazing! All of this energy is coming from you and the food you consume. Your body is likely burning calories faster than you can even consume them. This quick transition causes you to feel like you need to eat all the time (3). Listen to your body, and don’t feel guilty if you feel like you are always digging for food. Relax! It’s all for your baby, and your baby needs those nutrients. How To Manage Constant HungerPregnancy hunger can become overwhelming, and it is important we find a way to keep it subdued. You shouldn’t completely ignore your hunger. Instead, look for healthy ways to manage it. 1. HydrateWe mention hydration more than once because it’s crucial. Our bodies can trick us into confusing hunger with pregnancy dehydration. You may think you immediately need food, but a cup of water could do the trick. Try to drink about 10 cups of water a day. 2. Watch CaloriesSome women think once they become pregnant, they can eat anything and everything they want. Your food consumption is very important, but it does have its limits. In the first trimester, you can keep your calorie intake the same. You should consume about 300 more calories per day during the second trimester and about 500 more during the third. If you are pregnant with multiples, you should double the extra intake. Remember The above calorie intake is an estimate for typical pregnancies. Be sure to consult with your doctor for an accurate caloric intake that best suits you and your baby. 3. Maintain a Healthy DietIt is easy to eat anything when you’re pregnant because you can shrug the extra weight gain off as being baby weight, but you shouldn’t overindulge. Keep your diet healthy and nutritious. Opt for foods that can benefit you and your baby rather than add to the extra pounds. Fresh foods are always a better option than processed ones. You Might Also Like 10 Best Fruits to Eat During Pregnancy 4. Build Up Your ArsenalMake sure your fridge or purse is always stocked with healthy options that can help ease your hunger. Sliced fruit, cheese sticks, and nuts are all quick, simple snacks. It’s always great to have more healthy options at your disposal than junk food. 5. Don’t Be Afraid to IndulgeEvery once in a while, you need to reward yourself and indulge in your favorite food. Eating a few small spoonfuls of ice cream each day worked better for me than having a b0wl of it once per week, but some women find the opposite works best for them. We all have cheat days, and these don’t have to stop when you are pregnant — as long as your other meals focus on nutritious items. 6. SnackEating small meals throughout the day can help keep your intense hunger at bay. You can take small items to work with you to have healthy snacks on hand.
Editor's Note: Katelyn Holt RN, BSN, BCSimilar Articles Oatmeal During Pregnancy (& Recipes) Managing Your Weight When PregnantWe expect to gain some weight when pregnant. But with the constant hunger, it can be challenging to keep the weight gain under control. These tips helped us maintain a healthy weight despite pregnancy hunger (4).
Talk to your doctor about how much weight you should gain. Your starting weight determines how much weight your doctor will recommend that you gain. Eat Less and Still Feel FullYou don’t have to consume three-course meals multiple times a day to keep yourself full. It may seem like an impossible task, but it is possible to eat simple meals and make yourself feel full. Three small meals and two to three snacks should get you through the day.
The Bottom LineHunger is an inevitable part of pregnancy. We would be crazy to expect a woman to consume the same amount of food as she used to even though she is now actively growing a human. Your body and your baby need the extra calories to be well-nourished and healthy during pregnancy. You shouldn’t feel guilty about consuming more food. You are now burning way more calories. You need that extra food to keep you moving and your baby growing. |