Pregnancy and snacking

[BunnyGrumpy]

Hi all,
I just wanted to find out some others opinions on snacking in pregnancy. I'm 31+3 and have been eating a pretty healthy diet-home cooked meals, not ready meals, generally getting my 5+ a day, taking vitamins etc however each night in front of the telly abd occassionally with lunch I crave junk snacks! Mainly sweets, chocolate and biscuits, I don't generally eat loads of them, but it is every night.

I keep feeling really guilty about it, my blood sugar/Lucozade test was fine as have all the other tests they do and I've gained 6kg in the time I've been pregnant. So I feel like baby and I are ok but hate the feeling of guilt I keep having!

Anyone else have the same thing and a healthy happy baby/child who can put my mind at rest a little?

HI ,

I am 31 + 6 and have gained about 19lbs in total which is more than you have 6kg (13lbs) is pretty good going tbf so I wouldn't worry about the odd treat just do what your body needs - i am finding that at this stage i definitely want to eat more ( as long as little one is not in my ribs!) and you would expect to gain weight more quickly now anyway . Bearing in mind you need an extra 200-300 cals in 3rd trimester and average weight gain is 11kg just relax , go with you body and don;t go too hard on yourself ....its not every day you are pregnant so enjoy as much as you can without the constant guilt ! As long as you are not bingeing on sugary treats obviously which it dosen't sound like you would the odd chocolate bar / biscuits are fine and your sugar levels fine too

x

p.s or why not have some nice fruit and yoghurt /ice cream for your sweet tooth ?? xx

I'm 31+6 and gained 17lb so far this preg. I've been fairly healthy too as I've craved tomatoes and veg, but with ds I craved cake and curry and put on a lot more! I ate huge pieces of cake every day with him and he was born 7lb 7oz - a good size but certainly not huge. He was long too, not a chubby baby. So I wouldn't worry about it. Sweet treats are necessary! When I get the munchies in the evening I have a piece of dark chocolate and a plate of dry Special K Oats and Honey - I know that is maybe bizarre, but it's sweet and satisfies my desire to nibble. x

Gaining weight when you are pregnant is essential, not a bad thing. If you'd gained several stone and the MW had flagged concern that would be one thing, but 6kg ?

Snacking is fine, in fact small frequent meals are probably easier on the digestion than large ones. I am currently snacking on a pork pie, which is probably not to be recommended, but like you I am healthy most of the time so I don't think it matters.

Thank you for putting my mind at rest! I sort of see my treats at the end of the day as a reward for getting through the day with a big bump and grumpy 3 yr old!! As you all say if there were a problem I'm sure the midwife/dr would have raised concerns. I think a lot of my worry comes from being so careful with what I ate in my first pregnancy whereas now I seem to have very little will power and have just given in to whatever I fancy! (I too went through a phase of eating pork pies when I was newly pregnant! Now it's all about sweet things!)

I ate for 3 people with dc1. I craved all the foods I normally left alone (take aways and crisps) and when I knew I was pregnant I lived off these things!! Hence a 5 stone weight gain!!! Oh dear!!! Dd was and still is a very healthy child but I wouldn't recommend what I did!!!! I am now pregnant with dc2 and am eating a little more than normal (recommendations are 300 cals extra a day) and going along with my cravings. Just enjoy your pregnancy!!!