excessive dairy and sugar cravings?

[moondreamer24]

(Just gonna preface this and say I'm new to mumsnet and don't know how to use it yet, sorry if I do/say anything wrong)

I'm 8 weeks pregnant and my cravings seem to have kicked in. I almost constantly crave dairy and chocolate and am eating crazy amounts of chocolate and cheese. I'm worried about the potential effects of this eg gestational diabetes, excessive weight gain etc.

The cravings are so hard to ignore, I feel like I NEED them- (especially the chocolate) immediately and before I know it, I've eaten a whole share bag or 4 pack of chocolate bars. Every. Single. Day. I don't know what to do as I know I'm definitely eating an excess amount of these foods and it's not healthy, but I can't ignore them. This is my first pregnancy so everything is new and a bit overwhelming.

Does anyone have any advice? Do these cravings mean I could be deficient in something? Should I try to resist them or give in? Sorry I feel so clueless and stressed lol please help

Hi @moondreamer24
Congratulations on your pregnancy hun!
For me cravings came and went. One week i was eating lots of something and the next i couldn't eat another bite. If it's anything like me it'll pass. If you're worried about diabetes hun maybe try and reduce the amount or see if you can replace it with fruit. You will have a blood test at your first midwife appt and if you're lacking any vitamins they'll let you know. Enjoy your pregnancy! xx

When you have your bloods done make sure they check for Magnesium. Dairy & sugar is a big craving for the deficiency.Magnesium isn’t checked as part of regular bloods so request it when they are doing it. Speaking from experience after my first pregnancy & 3 years of suffering.

You can’t give yourself gestational diabetes by eating too much chocolate. It’s caused by hormonal imbalance (my doctor told me my pancreas just couldn’t cope with the extra hormones - I had no risk factors and wasn’t overweight). Obviously speak to your midwife if concerned though. I expect your cravings will pass so don’t worry too much. If you are worried try having something healthy/filling to reduce the amount you are eating (even if you make your snack a little cheese, a little chocolate and some nuts or fruit)

Take some pregnancy vitamins with iron and folic acid.

You definitely don’t need all that chocolate! Try to detract yourself from the cravings x

@Fleur405 is right, you can’t give yourself gestational diabetes by eating excessive amounts of sugar.

However, the amount of sugar and fat you’re consuming will cause rapid weight gain. Being overweight or obese will make you more at risk of gestational diabetes and also type 2 diabetes. Your pregnancy and labour will be more difficult if overweight.

I found the first trimester tough in terms of feeling absolutely shattered and queasy so I understand why you might be craving sugar, and also of course chocolate tastes really nice 😂

Easier said than done but don’t have it in the house.
You could try low sugar instant hot chocolate as a sweet treat? Or limit yourself to one “chocolate” day a week .

Contact over eaters anonymous if you feel it’s becoming an issue for you. There are online support groups

Good luck with everything 💐

thank you everyone so far for the advice. it's really helpful ❤

I feel you! Try to resist if you can but your body wants what your body wants. Don't feel bad, you'll feel brand new by 12 weeks and you can the sort your diet back out then 😊