Am I eating too much chocolate??

[elfonthestairs]

I have had terrible sweet cravings throughout my pregnancy, meaning I can't stop eating things like chocolate, this is what I'll eat in a typical day sweet wise

-a sweet cereal bar (savoury breakfast doesn't cut it)
-2 iced donuts
-9 Toffiffees
-half a bag of Terry's chocolate orange
-a packet of reduced sugar haribos (the irony!)

I eat meals too with as much veg as possible so I dont know why I am getting these terrible sweet cravings that won't go away it's not like me at all and worried im gonna do damage

Oh wow you could end up with diabetes that is a lot. Sorry.

That doesn’t seem like a lot of chocolate to me, but it’s deffo a lot of sugar.

I think sugar is like a drug, once you start early in the morning, you will be craving it all day. If you want to stop, then try to put off eating sugary things until the evening.

Diabetes is an autoimmune disease.

Yes! Spare a thought for your blood sugar.

When i went into labour my bump was measuring several weeks behind but that was purely because my bump had dropped but I was high on gas and air and was crying it was my fault the bump and baby were going to be small because I'd ate too much chocolate. The midwifes laughed it off and did not seem worried about it. Obviously if you are having a balanced diet for the baby and enough nutrients it should be fine,it might have more affect on yourself weight wise that's all. I'd try not to over worry

...well and diabetes

Are you getting enough protein? I found during pregnancy that if I wasn't eating enough I craved sugar.

Because yes it's too much and you could end up with gestational diabetes.

So that I'd a lot of sugar but gestational diabetes is hormonal caused.

Chocolate also contains caffiene so you need to be careful.
See if you can swap some out for fruit.

@IGotHam

Are you getting enough protein? I found during pregnancy that if I wasn't eating enough I craved sugar.

I've gone off of meat completely so I'm mainly eating a veggie diet cause the thought of meat makes me feel sick

@Scottishskifun

So that I'd a lot of sugar but gestational diabetes is hormonal caused.

Chocolate also contains caffiene so you need to be careful.
See if you can swap some out for fruit.

I've had massive grape cravings so I eat a lot of them but I've found it's been giving me really bad acid :(

Defo a protein shortage. Make sure you eat lentils, beans, nuts and dairy to max out on protein. Fish and eggs are also good protein sources.

Yes. That is A LOT!!

Just to reassure you eating chocolate and sugar don't cause gestational diabetes!
It's all to do with the placenta suppressing the secretion of insulin xx

Fruit yogurt
Smoothie with banana, yogurt, milk, honey, peanut butter, oats
Chunks of fruit
Apple with peanut butter

There are healthier options.

@AnneLovesGilbert

Fruit yogurt Smoothie with banana, yogurt, milk, honey, peanut butter, oats Chunks of fruit Apple with peanut butter

There are healthier options.

Ahh yes, I have all of these except the peanut butter options as my DH is severely allergic. I have these but still the chocolate/sweets craving is so strong and won't go away - have a midwife call today phew!

@Metallicalover

Just to reassure you eating chocolate and sugar don't cause gestational diabetes! It's all to do with the placenta suppressing the secretion of insulin xx

Thank you, I was getting worried I'm doing damage, honestly i was not fussed about chocolate in the slightest chocolate I got for Christmas would be threw away cause I wouldn't be bothered by it but now it's a different story- I've already eaten the boxes of heroes and celebrations for Christmas Day

@DrNo007

Defo a protein shortage. Make sure you eat lentils, beans, nuts and dairy to max out on protein. Fish and eggs are also good protein sources.

I didn't think of this! I love lentils but didn't realise they were a source of protein, they don't teach you anything about diet nowadays. Think I'll make a lentil dhal soup yum 🤤

I also have a terrible sweet cravings all the time! I always loved chocolate even before pregnancy, and now it's definitely worst. Of course, I also stopped drinking wine and I belive that makes me craving for sugar even more!
It is not caused by lack of protein! People keep saying that to me as soon as they hear I am vegetarian. If anything, I eat much healthier as I know I need to provide the right amount of nutrition for the baby. I eat a lot of salad, vegetables, beans while non vegetarians eat a piece of meat with chips and judgeing us. If you missed protein you would crave for meat not sweets.
Try to keep an eye on it, but it's gonna be hard around Christmas 😅

I previously had gestational diabetes and I also have a very sweet tooth and this time around without the GD I do indulge a little more than I should so I get that it’s hard. You cannot give yourself GD by poor diet but that is a lot of sugar and will be causing blood sugar spikes which are not good for you (and you definitely can give yourself type 2 diabetes through diet if you do it over the long term). I agree that you should try eating more protein and also more complex carbohydrates and have regular healthy snacks as your cravings may be due in part to low blood sugar levels. I’m the last person who would ever tell you not to eat sweets and you don’t have to cut them out completely but I would try and cut down.

I'm similar to you!! Never overly fussed re chocolate and sweets when not pregnant.
In 5 days i would have eaten a box of Roses, a box of after8s and a Terry's chocolate orange 😄

I have a really healthy breakfast - scrambled eggs with mushrooms, tomatoes and spinach plus OJ, a good lunch and dinner too with meat and veg.

I try helathy snacking, will force a banana down my throat etc too even though i detest most fruit!!

But the chocolate is an addiction. Some days i can go with pretty much nothing, other days loads.

As long as you're overall eating well, add some protein (i luckily still love my meat lol) and just try to cut down a bit on the chocolate when you can!

The poster who said if you are short of protein you crave meat not sweet stuff is incorrect. I am living proof. I was advised that the way to deal with my sweet craving was to eat a protein rich food and it works!

You may not be able to cause GD but is it possible you could have it...?

There is lots of info on the connection between protein shortage and sugar cravings, eg here blog.pnwfitnessclubs.com/protein-deficiency/

I would substitute the sweet stuff for dates or raisins or even flapjack is slightly better- I’m trying not to overdo it and agree with people it can be addictive . Also remember babies start to taste things through the amniotic fluid later in pregnancy , I was thinking about this as I tucked into Brussels sprouts!!

In short, yes.