Pregnant and CAN'T STOP EATING!

[Givemecoffeeplease]

So, I've always thought that cravings, urges and general greediness in pregnancy was all in the mind. But I'm 6 months pregnant, and from 2 months in I've been eating everything in sight. Breakfast, mid morning snack, lunch, something to tide me over the afternoon.... I am putting on weight and feel hideous, hate my lack of self control (binge eating has been a feature of my life but I thought I'd beaten this particular demon... and this is my second pregnancy and the first one was very healthy and I enjoyed it much more). I don't judge anyone who eats too much in pregnancy - except now I'm judging myself, and I also feel crap for it, in my mind as much as in my (rounded) body. AIBU to expect that i should be able to have a stop button? And will this wear off when I'm no longer pregnant? Or am I due a helluva slog to get down to a normal weight when I finally have my baby.

[morelikeguidelines]

Obviously I can't see what you have been eating or how much weight you have gained.

However it is really not in the mind! I needed to eat all the time when I was pregnant too. Try to go for something healthier than not if you possibly can.

[WorraLiberty]

Have you tried drinking a lot more water when you're hungry, or distracting yourself?

As long as you eat healthily and take enough exercise, it shouldn't cause you to gain too much weight really.

[MuffMuffTweetAndDave]

Being famished is quite normal in pregnancy, and pregnancy hunger is not like other types of hunger. It does funny things to your appetite: I had one pregnancy where I ate sod all for most of it, another where I ate anything that wasn't nailed down. Was massive in both. And nobody can really tell you what will happen afterwards. Some women find it melts off, others never shift it, some women experience both in subsequent pregnancies.

Saying all this, if you have a history of binge eating, I guess it's possible that's rearing it's ugly head, rather than 'normal' eating everything in pregnancy. Have you discussed this with your midwife?

[Givemecoffeeplease]

Am too knackered with DS1 and the heat in London to do my usual walking, but i really do have no excuse. that's a kick up the bum to move around. I'm def not eating healthily, all I want is "beige" food (toast, potatoes, rice, pasta, more toast, quiche, crisps, biscuits) with chocolate on the side. My normal diet is pretty healthy and i am feeling very foolish for stuffing myself with food that I KNOW will make me feel rubbish. The problem is i sit next to the big table at work that is covered with all the food and snacks, and we are "lucky" enough to have a constant supply of treats. My willpower lasts til about 10 am and then i am lost and no distractions can hide the hobnobs from my eyeline :(

Thanks for your kind replies. At least i am not alone and at the end of the day it's not too terrible. But i'm still cross at myself, mainly because it means i'm not loving my pregnancy, and I know it's my last.

[Givemecoffeeplease]

And haven't thought about talking to my midwife. A good idea, either her or the GP perhaps. It's def not right. (And I had bulimia right at the beginning of my last pregnancy - at least that hasn't reappeared).

[ollieplimsoles]

I'm also 6 months pregnant op and have put on over a stone, I had very bad sickness in the beginning and lost weight due to that.

Now I feel like I'm eating all the time! I'm not usually a 'hungry' person, and rarely think about food, but I cant seem to think about anything else! The hunger ive experienced is nothing like usual, its a sickly hunger that needs to be satisfied immediately! I do drink a LOT of water, I have a pint glass full next to me at all times.

I mentioned my worries to my midwife and she shrugged telling me not to worry about it and eat as healthily as I can. Never not eat when I'm hungry too.

I don't feel attractive either but at least its temporary. Dont know how helpful i have been but just wanted to tell you you are not alone!

[lilacblossomtime]

It might be helpful to make sure you are getting all the nutrients you need, choose very nutritious foods, and choose lowish carb low gi things. Have plenty of veggies to bulk out your meals and again for vitamins and minerals. Also try going for more long walks as this will keep you active and away from temptation.

[lilacblossomtime]

Oh just noticed you can't do your normal walks. That may be affecting you. Maybe try swimming instead.

[lilacblossomtime]

Sorry to go on, but I think if you can force yourself to choose the really healthy options (mostly), drink plenty and get enough liquids and do some gentle exercise you may get back to more normal appetite.

[PlanetMJ]

I know how you feel! I have a 10 week old baby and was a size 12 and 11 stone on conception, a healthy BMI for my height. I weighed in at 13 stones 12 lbs at my GP appointment at 8 weeks after giving birth. I am wearing a size 16-18. I feel like I don't recognise the body in the mirror and I absolutely hate it.
During my pregnancy it was like there was not enough food in the world to satisfy my hunger! All of my dreams were food related. I dreamed I was eating my way out of a car full of malteasers. Bread, pasta, chocolate, cake, biscuits, Ben & Jerry's, all of the things I would really limit before became my staple diet. Even after stuffing myself to oblivion, an hour later I wanted more food. I knew I was out of control and stopped weighing myself as I just couldn't seem to get a grip. Like you I would start with good intentions but slide down hill in an office full of treats and kindly well-meaning (size six) feeders/colleagues buying me food every day....
Three years ago when I got married, I lost three stones with slimming world and excercised four times a week. I was 10 stones and a size 10, smaller than when I was a teenager and I had serous amounts of energy and felt fantastic. I know I can go back and join SW but the difference now is how hard it is to eat well when I often have to grab whatever is easy. I also dont have time to excercise unless I sacrifice time with my husband which is really limited and precious as it is. DD is also very clingy and wails like a siren if I dont hold her in the evenings during the "witching hour". Which is more like four hours. So I really dont feel I could leave her alone with DH, just in from a long day at work, while I head off to run.
And reading this back I know that is really an excuse isn't it? I could walk everywhere with DD and prepare food in advance and ensure I have healthy options about.
Sigh. Apologies for the long ranty post about me OP! I suppose I just wanted to empathise and show some solidarity! Congratulations on your pregnancy. It really is worth it a million times over despite the fat ass.

[Givemecoffeeplease]

Thanks for your comments. I need to pull my finger out and move some more, and make better choices. No more excuses. Obviously I'll put weight on, I'm pregnant ffs, but no need to eat shit and feel awful.

[toffeeboffin]

I was the same. Constant hunger. Waking up in the middle of the night, starving. Massive breakfasts, snacks, loads of carbs, cereal, cheese etc. I had no restraint! Its impossible not to eat when you are pregnant, I was insatiable.

I promised myself I'd gain a maximum of 30 pounds, ended up gaining 50. DS was only 8 pounds!

Don't bother trying to resist, you can't. You'll lose it easily afterwards, your appetite will return to normal