Pregnancy

Increased Hunger During Pregnancy

Increased Hunger during Pregnancy

    Increased Hunger During Pregnancy

Do you feel like you’re never full? Increased hunger during pregnancy is prevalent, particularly in the second trimester when morning sickness fades, cravings catch up. And you need more calories to feed your growing child. Here’s how to whet your appetite and make sure you get all the nutrients that both of you need.

When does hunger usually increase during pregnancy?

Hunger during pregnancy generally rises in the second trimester. But it is experienced by some females as soon as the first trimester. But normally it occurs during the second trimester as this is the moment your morning nausea generally finishes and hunger pangs begin so you can regain the weight you lost in the first trimester.

Is it normal to have an increased hunger in early pregnancy?

Your body’s progesterone concentrations are rising during the first trimester of pregnancy. Which will cause you to feel nauseous (leading to morning sickness) and high rates of starvation. Usually, you will feel sudden hunger pangs after vomiting because your belly has emptied. Besides this, you are likely to feel hungry during pregnancy because your body requires the calories you lost when vomiting and because your child requires nutrition to develop inside your stomach. Women have greater blood concentrations during pregnancy, which require calories to keep themselves up. This creates intense hunger and cravings for food. This can generally occur between week 7 and 12, where you may begin to dislike earlier enjoyed foods and develop cravings for other foods. Many females also encounter hunger in the late-night during pregnancy. Usually, at the end of the second trimester, this settles down and is very normal.

What can I do about increased hunger during pregnancy?

Listen to your body, but remain sensitive about your parts when it comes to fulfilling your increased hunger during pregnancy. Remember that one of you is much smaller while you eat for two, so the principle of “one for me, one for baby” doesn’t add up. Here are a few tips for controlling hunger pangs:

1. Stay hydrated:

It’s simple to confuse dehydration with starvation— and you’ll need more fluids than ever because your body is so busy making a baby. Aim for at least 12 to 13 cups a day, and more if the outside is warm or you sweat a lot. Just skip the sodas that can add surplus calories and sugar without any dietary advantage (spiking your sugar and upping your appetite).

2. Regularly check your calories:

During the first trimester, most moms don’t need any more calories. Most moms need only about 350 more calories a day in the second trimester than they were carrying in their pre-pregnancy diets; this rises to about 500 in the third trimester. You may need to consume up to 300 calories a day for each child if you carry multiples.

3. Stay stocked:

If you’re going to hit the regular refrigerator, freezer, and pantry, make sure you have plenty of healthy options at your hands. Scarf down a whole cantaloupe and you’ve downgraded a day’s supply of vitamin A and C. The same can not be said for a bag of cookies.

4. Eat a healthy pregnancy diet

Make sure that your meals and snacks are more nutritious than just filling. Pair high-fiber carb (such as whole grains or fruit) with protein and healthy fat (such as nut butter or dairy) for staying power. Choose fresh, whole foods over-processed, refined ingredients. And mix on meals that take more effort to eat, as all this chewing helps you feel more full in fewer bites. For example, a big salad offers plenty of nutrients and fiber to fill you up, requiring more chewing than a refined pasta plate.

5. Eat small, frequent meals:

Choose five or six mini-meals that are consumed every three hours instead of three square meals a day. If you consume too much at any sitting, you’ll end up feeling overwhelmed— plus, it can cause even more bloating, gas, heartburn, and overall gastrointestinal distress than you’ve ever experienced. Every few hours you eat a little, you’re never going to achieve a point where you’re starving and probably overdoing it.

6. Carry snacks:

To avoid falling back on non-nutritious fast foods when hunger hits, bring a trail mix bag with you so you’re going to have something good to pinch on.

In your third trimester of pregnancy, your appetite will gradually reduce, but until then follow the tips above to manage your pregnancy hunger pangs like a pro. Remember to eat high-quality food as you increase your intake of food so it doesn’t cause you more trouble.

Also Read: Food Cravings And Aversions During Pregnancy

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