Do you eat for two? And if you don't, do you calorie count?

[PregnantGrrrl]

I'm making a concerted effort to not eat too many calories from now on, having realised that 1. I'm 2 stone heavier already at 30wks 2. Mullerice has alot more calories that i realised!

I'm not going to be calorie counting as such, but i have been 'guilty' of not looking at fat / calorie content of what i'm eating while pregnant...just scoffing it.

Do you throw caution to the wind, or are you a 'careful' eater?

[theressomethingaboutmarie]

I'm 32 wks along and have put on 19lbs. I've not been eating particularly carefully but have just followed my instincts. I've avoided scoffing when not really hungry and have been conscious of eating well to help the baby.

[Stefka]

I am worried about this too. I have not been calorie counting but have also put on 2 stone (am 31 weeks).

[scorpio1]

im careful. don't want to have too much weight to shift after.

[RGPargy]

I try to be careful but more often than not, i end up NOT being careful.

[PregnantGrrrl]

i'm doing well today, i think. Smaller portions and i've switched to decaff. also managed to only eat one fig roll biscuit earlier...i'm Mrs Will Power today!

[Theresad]

Hi I hope you may be able to help me out with this as I was going to ask the docs when the time comes.
At the mo I am TTC DC3, but I know I am going to have problems when I do catch, as I have a poor relationship with food. Without a diet sheeet or food list I will either stuff myself silly or starve myself. I do not know what to do about healthy eating during pregnancy and I am feeling unsure about who to talk to about this.

[EllieG]

I am not being that careful, but am going to start as get married 2 months after due date so don't want too much to lose!

[PregnantGrrrl]

when you say poor relationship, do you mean you eat badly, or a real eating disorder? I can't advise you about a real disorder, obviously.

In general, i'd say make sure you eat breakfast (if you can manage it without hurling when pregnant) and make it something non-sugary. drink lots of fluids, and aim for some fruit and veg every day. Meals need to have protein and carbs, so things like scrambled eggs and toast / chicken and pasta are good.

Also, cut right back on booze and caffeine, and avoid rare meat and runny eggs.

You have to enjoy yourself a bit though- i have 2 units of booze a week, and am currently obsessed with fruit pastille ice lollies.

[Theresad]

Loopymumsy that sounds ideal.
Pregnant grrrl thanks, no not an eating disorder. But I have spent so long being told what to eat, Weight Watchers , Slimming World, Rosemary Conolly, Diet Sheet etc, that when I am given free reign so to speak I dont know where to start (or stop)

[Cazzybaby]

I've been really good i've given up the booze....

[Cazzybaby]

Oh and Pate and Soft cheese and rare steak really been cutting down!

[aikigypsy]

I've never given calorie-counting much thought, and have continued more or less like that, but I did gain a fair amount of weight relatively early. However, once I'd gained about 20 pounds (at 24 weeks or so) I found I felt much more comfortable, and wasn't as painfully ravenous all the time.

Now I'm eating a bit less, just because that's where my appetite is (but still maybe a bit too much sugar).

[Castanet]

Never felt guilty about food and always eat what I like, however I'm not big on sweets, pastries and such nonsense and if overeat anything than it's usually seasonal fruit. While pregnant, been eating as normal and just listening to my body, not many cravings to report anyway. Can't imagine starting scoffing food just because old-wives tales tell you to eat for two... 300 Calories extra a day starting the second trimester is all you need. How much does a baby size of a plum really need in the first 3 months anyway?

[beller]

Hello all...
I have been eating quite healthily..the only thing i really crave is fish and chips,and allow myself that once a week!
Must admit, i have been feeling like healthy food anyway...so hasnt been a problem..have put on 8 lb and im 21 weeks...Im still going to the gym as well though, so allow myself some treats too Not exaclty calorie counting,but i dont really eat processed food anyway becuase of IBS, so i think easier to eat healthy?

[MrsKarpet]

Hi all, just wanted to say Castanet the first suspicions I had of being pregnant was I was dog tired all the time and eating like a horse!!! I was so hungry all the time for the first few months then i seemed to go back to normal again.... I think my plum sized baby wanted more than my grapefruit (to continue the analogy) sized one. Oh and when asked if i have any cravings my current favourite reply is 'yes, vodka and nicotene' just to see the looks on their face

[loisstella]

I'm a big girl. Like Theresad I have a 'funny' relatiosnhip with food; been diagnosed as a binge eater (eat when stressed, sad, bored - any reason really).
I've suffered high blood pressure, am unfit... you get the picture.
So... when we started trying I tried to get myself motivated about food and being responsible for 'someone else'. I lost 1 stone and 4 pounds and got pregnant the second time we tried.
Am pretty impressed with that - but also quite concerned about the safety of the little worm inside me, did I get pregnant too quickly? can my big body 'host' this child safely? - am therefor slightly freaked out about the possibility of loosing it.
For the first time in my life though I am eating responsibly...
I keep a food diary. I make sure I eat seeds, spinach, yoghurt, brocolli, fish - the lot. I have come right down on caffeine and booze.
I guess we all deal with pregnancy differently but so far this has made a huge impact on my life and I truly feel that I have turned a page thanks to the little miracle in my tummy.

[EllieG]

Glad it's not jsut me MrsKarpet! Am 4+6 and am so hungry all the time!

[hobbcat]

Hiya, this is my first message and it's going to be a belter... From my own limited experience of pregnancy (21 wks) I have discovered that a suprise attack of piles plus frequently bouts of nausea have caused me to develop a rather ambivalent relationship with food. I've put on 6lbs and I've become rather preoccupied by drinking water (4 pints daily) and fibre content of food. I don't think I'm heading for trouble, I'm vaguely amused by how quickly my body has decided that burping, farting and a constantly sore bottom are the way forward. Maybe it's Mother Nature's way of curbing my usual free and easy relationship with food....

PS
homemade rice pudding is the ultimate in comfort food

[Stefka]

I am comforted by the fact that I am not the only one with a history of food issues. I have always had a bad relationship with food. When I was a teenager I used to binge and starve but I managed to stop that. I do have a tendency to go through periods where I restrict though, in fact I was in one when I first found out I was pregnant. I felt awful that for the first few weeks I wasn't eating properly. The only way I have been able to cope is to stop all my food rules and just eat whatever I want. I feel I have put on a lot of weight though - especially at the start. I am very nervous about how I will feel once the baby is born. Hopefully I will be too busy focusing on the bambino to get sucked into the negative food stuff.

[EllieG]

Same here stefka - am glad it's not just me - I alternate between fretting massively and eating whatever

[dal21]

Everyone - the only advice I can give is to take the eating thing week by week. I have a history of issues with food also and after the first trimester (where i developed hollow legs and could do nothing but eat everything) - have been really careful about what i have eaten. There are days when you feel whalelike but you still have to eat regularly because the bub needs it.
I this week felt terrible as had a growth scan and although every other measurement is spot on, the abdominal circumference is measuring smaller than it should (based on averages). Am 34 weeks and up until now the growth has been fine but a part of me couldnt help but feel - was this because i havent been eating enough. Doc told me not at all - i just have a skinny baby-but nonetheless they are now seeing me weekly.

Eat well - the weight will come off post bub if you want it too. Dont worry abut weight gain, give the baby what it needs. And throw away the scales! I have no idea what i have gained and have no intention of finding out!

[RGPargy]

awww dal if the doc says it's not you then you really mustn't beat yourself up about it. My sister's baby was very long and lean and never once got any baby podge - it's just her make up and nothing to do with my sister not eating enough!

Try not to worry

[Woooozle100]

PregnantGrrrl - I've been congratulating myself on only putting a sniff over 2 stone on at 31 weeks. Had put 4 on last time round at same stage

Hey ho - lost it last time. Back to my fighting weight after 9 months so I'm not too arsed really. Preganancy is the one time when I do relax a bit about foodstuff and calories