Weight gain or calorie counting?

[Claxxy]

Hi

I’m currently in my second trimester of my first pregnancy, and really struggling with conflicting information.

I’ve read that I ‘shouldn’t be eating any more calories’ until the third trimester, and yet I’m supposed to put on a steady 0.5kg per week? How do I do this without eating more?

I’m also finding that I’m WAY more hungry than I was pre-pregnancy - for example, I’m struggling not to snack in between meals (especially between breakfast and lunch) because I’m just starving. Do I listen to my body and eat more, even though I’m told I’m ‘not allowed’?

Any advice would be hugely appreciated - I constantly feel like I’m doing the wrong thing!

If you're hungry you need to eat!
"Eating for two" is a myth in that pregnancy isn't an excuse to start stuffing your face, but if you're hungry your body is telling you that you need more food. So eat!

You gain weight because of fluid and a baby!!

Who told you about 0.5 per week! This is nuts, that is 20 kgs in the 40 weeks . Don't!!

You will naturally gain weight, you don't have to make effort to gain weight.

It is normal to be hungrier. Opt for healthy choices, like some watermelon, some strawberries or peaches. Don't reach for a bar of chocolate, biscuits or crips. Boil a big bag of green beans and keep them in the fridge.

Prepare some nice pre-cut carrots, celery, washed cherry tomatoes and if you are so hungry between meals, it might mean the meals are not nutritious enough. For your breakfast, have some overnight oats, with flaxseed and some frozen blueberries and why not a few crushed almonds and walnuts .For lunch , you can grill or poach a chicken breast and cut slices into a nice salad.
Avoid sandwiches and wraps, and go for a cold or hot meal. A chickpea salad with cucumber, tomatoes and feta, a few slices of onion and if you like them some olives. A piece of cod cooked in the oven with sliced tomatoes and a few roasted veggies.
Don't focus on calories but quality of what you are eating.

I am really intrigued as to who told you this? You just gain weight naturally because you're carrying a growing baby.

@AnIntrovert is absolutely right, it's about quality and nutrition not calories.

Eat when you're hungry!

Your baby takes what it needs don't worry! I'm 37 weeks and have only put on 2kg from my booking appointment (although I did have it to lose!) and my baby is growing more than well - they are having to keep an eye to make sure not too big! Please don't worry 😊

I am 29 weeks and have already put on 16 pounds - but still 'neat' bump. Don't look pregnant from behind! I tried to stick to that 0.5kg thing too, and had an excel and worried when I lost weight some weeks.

www.babycentre.co.uk/a554810/weight-gain-in-pregnancy

No stopping her now though!! She is shooting up and I worry less. Baby will ask for what it needs :)

Don’t stress about weight or calories when pregnant. Eat if you’re hungry just make healthy choices. You put on weight through baby, placenta, amniotic fluid etc not through eating more. How much weight you put on can vary depending on a lot of factors. With my second I put on no weight until the last 2 weeks, wasn’t an issue as I was a bit overweight before pregnancy. If you gain or lose and excessive amount then it could be an issue but otherwise don’t worry about

You’re not “supposed” to put on a steady 0.5kg a week. In the U.K. there are no minimum targets for weight gain. The 0.5kg is a guide to when to look out for excess weight gain.