What food for energy in pregnancy?

[HamCheeseHamnCheese]

Now that I am in the 2nd trimester I thought the debilitating tiredness of the 1st trimester was behind me. Don't get me wrong, it's not quite THAT bad, but I am absolutely shattered in the afternoons.

I usually have a lunchtime walk and the fresh air helps, but getting back to my desk and trying to work during the afternoon is killer.

2-4pm I can barely keep my eyes open. I usually feel fine by 5pm and can eve get myself to the gym. Mornings are also fine.

Any suggestions? I'm trying to keep hydrated but admittedly I'm not the best water drinker.

Is there something I could be eating/avoiding to help?

NB: My blood tests showed my iron levels are fine, which surprised me due to the tiredness and constantly feeling cold.

Has your thyroid been tested?

@Teddybear45 Has your thyroid been tested?

I don't think so, or at least the results of this weren't discussed when we went through everything else I was tested for.

Do you think I should ask for this?

I was thinking the tiredness was just a normal pregnancy symptom? I am SO tired though. Even when I have 8 hours sleep the night before, the afternoons are always a struggle for me.

What are you eating for lunch? Anything hot or carb heavy finished me off for the afternoon.

You should. In the UK thyroid issues aren’t treated until they’re really bad. It’s possible you had an underactive thyroid before and it’s gotten worse in pregnancy (which it can do). Anyway a full blood panel should catch most things really

I definitely flag mid afternoon. Carrot sticks with hummus is usually enough for me until dinner. I think tiredness is pretty normal. I have insomnia and I'm aneamic plus growing people is hard work

I have a coffee! Need it, and one mug of instance is well within the recommended caffeine allowance

I have been having a lot of bananas, fruit smoothies, and pasta but tiredness is so common I’m not sure what will help. Do you take folic acid? If you do take it with b12 that can help too x

This is weird but work makes me sick. , the smell of it, the smells from the canteen, seeing loads of people around and all the stimulation that comes with that. I looked at a girl the other day who had dirty hair and I had to run to the bathroom

Of course my OH when he has garlic breath makes me sick on another level.

Do you like nuts? They have lots of energy and are healthy. Also you can try fruit like orange, bananna or apple.
Dried fruits are very energetic. For example dried prunes and figs contains lots of phosphorus which provides energy. However, they are also laxatives, so be careful!

I used to have nuts or oatcakes with cream cheese (nice and bland and non-smelly)

Thanks everyone. Lots of helpful suggestions.

My diet is quite carb heavy (porridge for breakfast, sandwich for lunch). I just can't face the things I used to eat - salads and soups.

I am eating fruit but will try to incorporate nuts, and snacks like oatcakes, slow release things.

Thanks again

I went off salads and raw veg. It’s not that surprising as iirc most cases of listeriosis have come from poorly-washed raw veg so it might be a self-protection thing (not saying you wash veg badly, you know what I mean)

And soups are smelly!

@HerSymphonyAndSong I went off salads and raw veg. It’s not that surprising as iirc most cases of listeriosis have come from poorly-washed raw veg so it might be a self-protection thing (not saying you wash veg badly, you know what I mean)

Good point well made. Before I even know I was pregnant I completely went off coffee and wine - our bodies are very clever, aren't they?

You can drink coffee when pregnant!