I think i'm eating too much - safe to cut down?

[RGPargy]

Hiya peeps.

I'm a bit worried about my food consumption. I seem to be eating loads of crap just for the sake of it. It's not because I'm hungry most of the time, but because i know i can eat it, IYSWIM.

For instance, for breakfast i'll have 2 bits of toast (that's ok) but then i'll have crisps mid-morning or summat because i'm bored at work and because i know i wont get questioned or commented on from my work colleagues.

Then at lunchtime i'll go out and lately i've been buying TWO sarnies. Not because i'm hungry, but because i'm being greedy. Then after those i'll have a mousse and then something else crappy mid-afternoon. Then i'll have two bits of fruit on the train on the way home (still not coz of hunger but "just because i can").

So i'm thinking that i need to nip this destructive eating pattern in the bud before it gets too bad. Do you think it'd be perfectly safe for me to, for instance, instead of having 2 sarnies at lunchtime, to have a few ryvitas with philly & cucumber on top and then some cottage cheese later if i'm actually hungry, with some fruit later in the day on the train? Of course i can vary my lunches with a salad or pasta etc when i get bored of ryvitas (i actually FANCY them atm). Then in the evening have a balanced portionated dinner (both my DP and I pile our plates up waaaay too much and then wonder why we feel sick from being stuffed too much!!).

I'm a "curvacious" lady anyway, so it's not like i dont have the resources for baby to feed on!

This will be ok, right?

Oh and i'm 21+6

Do you know you can eat it becasue you are meant to get bigger because of the pregnancy? It is an old wives tale that you eat for two except for the last week or two and even then it is only an extra slice of toast or two a day. Any exyta weight gained has to come off and it is a lot harder to get it off than put it on. I put the same amount of weight on with all 3 of mine. Took me 6 months to lose it after the 1st, a year after the second and the 3rd is 2 and I am still 1 stone heavier!

NAB3, Yes i know it's an old wives tale about eating for two etc.

My point is that i'm eating extra purely out of greed! I know i need a few more calories per day, but not to the extent which i'm eating.

I put on 1 1/2 stone with my first so far i've put on 1 stone with this one which according to various websites, is about right really so i'm not too concerned.

I think what's making me even more concerned is the fact that before i got pg i was actually losing weight and losing it well and now i'm putting it on and getting depressed/paranoid about it, IYSWIM.

Well you should really eat just when you're hungry. I'd try to stop the 2 sandwiches at lunchtime - go with one and then see how you feel. If you automatically buy two, you're more likely to eat them both without thinking about whether you are actually hungry or not.

You should also go with the flow regarding fancying food such as salad, ryvita etc.

Hopefully this doesn't come across as preachy!! My diet is all over the joint at the moment but strangely, am really crazy about soft fruit (peaches, apricots, raspberries, strawberries etc) and Shreddies with milk

Hey RGP! If you want to cut down - recommend not going from one extreme to another (not that that is what you are suggesting ) - as although your baby will be fine, your energy levels/ blood sugar levels may suffer which in turn can lead to eventually just eating something not that great. My recommendation is to cut down and then ensure the foods you are eating are low GI. drink tons of water as that will make you feel full and prevent need to snack. also make sure you are eating enough food groups to get you protein/ calcium etc.

Hi RG I found a site that tells you how much weight is recommended throughout your pg per your BMI, Mine in total should only be about 15 to 21 pounds cos I'm a lil chubby. I've just stopped the eating everything in sight stage not consciously think my body was just fed up and I'm a couple of weeks ahead of you so maybe you'll find if you cut back a bit that you'll not really feel deprived. I've found tho' that if I really fancy something have a little bit and I don't gorge myself about 10 at night cos I've tried to be good all day. They do recommend 6 small portions during pg rather than your usual 3 meals a day so you're probably doing it the right way but maybe overindulging each portion. Altho' tbh I'd say it only really sounds like lunch & tea rather than your snacks that are the problem. Fruit's good the more the better surely. Instead of a mousse why not try a sorbet or at least a low-fat one. I find Ryvita a great way of staving off hunger pangs, usually have lo-fat Laughing Cow would love a bit of pate but ho-hum! Try one sandwich & see how you feel, same with your evening meal you can always have seconds if you really aren't satisfied.
It's hard going sometimes tho' when you just think bugger it I'll lose it at the other end. when I fell pg with DD (accidentally) I had just lost over a stone with another to go, so well done for heading that way before.

Thanx for your replies everyone.

I think the answer should perhaps lie in the age old saying "everything in moderation".

I drink plenty of water, so i know i'm not mistaking thirst for hunger.

I think because i have issues with food (i.e. i see it, i want it) that i'm going to have to be really strong here and stick to sensible foods, rather than junk out of our vending machines at work.

i lost the weight before by low carbing and since being pg i haven't been able to face low carb foods! I've certainly been making up for the lack of carbs by eating jacket spuds, pasta, rice & shed loads of bread.

I think i'm going to play it by ear and just make sure what i eat is SENSIBLE!!

It is very easy to think "sod it i'll lose it when the baby's born". The trouble atm is that i'm fully aware of my bad eating habits and it's getting me down. I think if i'm eating healthier then at least i know that it's going to be baby weight i'm putting on rather than pig-out weight.

RGP - I totally understand. some of my friends and family have commented on how careful I have been around food during my pregnancy and I am just wanting to avoid putting too much weight on because I know what I am like and if I have tons to shift after the baby is born - it wont make me feel great! So have not eaten for two in anyway (apart from 1st trimester) - babies growth is spot on etc. There is a part of me that wishes I didnt care about stuff like that and could 'let myself go' - tis not to be!

I totally know what you mean, dal21. I take my hat off to you for being very good! The careful eating for me starts today!!

fabbo! but don't be too hard on yourself! make sure you still allow yourself some treats!

jbck - can you give me a link to that site you mentioned?

merryberry it was a link from a names site, I'll try & find it again cos I didn't bookmark it. Only needed to be told once I was fat enough!

wasn't this one but it's similar I'm a 14 on the bottom & a 16 on the top (could be cos I'm 36E pre-pg) but I'm only 5' 3" so should really be about 1.5 stone less. I'm 24 weeks & have gained 5 pounds so should be okay. I gained 15 pounds with DD but I was 6 years younger so it might be harder to get it off this time plus I might try & lose the 1.5 excess this time.

you may find it gets easier - I'm 35+some now and simply can't eat big meals any more as there isn't space!

can i ask? how do you all know how much you weigh? I havent been near a pair of scales since my booking appt and even then asked not to be told how much weight I had gained unless it was a problem - I had gained enough weight (as was underweight when fell pregnant) and havent wanted to know since. I may out of curiousity weigh myself right towards the end - but will depend on how I feel. Right now refuse to do that to myself. Am such a wimp!

I weighed myself a couple of times out of curiosity and the hosp has weighed me a few times too

still lighter than DH

brave lady!

was for my own comfort more than anything - I wasn't big to start with, didn't show till 19wks and still have whats termed a 'neat bump' so I found the [coughcough]lbs I've gained an indication that everything was going to plan in there...

thanks jbck!

oh gosh - I haven't weighed myself at all. I was 12'4 before I got pregnant (5'7 tall but still clearly too heavy!) and don't want to know how much I've put on.

My maternity jeans feel the same on the thighs but I know that if I weighed myself, I'd get all irrational about putting the weight on when it's a natural thing to happen. As mentioned though, my cravings are for fruit and cereal so hopefully I won't have piled on too much.

Well according to that site, i've already put on the 15lbs maximum (my BMI is over 40)! Woops!!

I weigh myself about once a month coz i like to keep an eye on things but i'm starting to worry about it now!!

RGP - dont worry about it too much and whatever you do; dont cut back drastically on food intake as a result. If you are worried about it then talk to your mw/ doc at your next appt and they will be able to advise you.

Thanx dal21.

I'm not going to be drastic with my food intake - just sensible.

So far today i have had:

5am - 2 crumpets with a thin sliver of cheese on top (mega early morning for me!)

10.30am - 2 x toast & marmalade

1pm - 6 x ryvita with philly & cucumber, 1 Onken Lite strawberry mousse.

I also have a tub of "healthy living" cottage cheese with onion & chives, should i get hungry later.

Also at work they supply us with fruit in the afternoon for free (how brilliant is that?!!!) so i will probably nab an apple and a banana from the bowl and eat that on the way home.

I try and eat the fruit on the train because it stops me pigging out as soon as i get home because i'm not absolutely ravenous!

Tonight for dinner, i am going to be having a bit of steak with probably some pasta or carrot & swede mash.

I think this is very good compared to what i would have had last week, for e.g.

Last week's menu

Breakfast - 2 x toast

Mid morning - crisps

lunch - 2 x sarnie, crisps, mousse

mid afternoon - possibly choccie bar

6pm - 2 x fruit on train

8pm - mahoosive dinner, shoved in to bursting point!

sounds fab to me! i still have slight envy at hearing dinner - the most I can stomach at night is a couple of slices of toast by 7 at the latest and I struggle to digest that! Big meal once bub out!

lol @ dal21. I must admit that lately i am feeling fuller quicker. Must be bubbah squishing me up inside. Great news really - means my stomach can shrink and i wont eat so much!

RG (22+0)