Constantly unbelievably hungry

[Goldendoodlelover]

Hi all - so am 13+2 weeks pregnant and am basically sick of being hungry all the bloody time. I seem to be starving all the time no matter what I eat (the only things that make me full are big carby meals, and not for that long) and I feel horrendous if I don’t eat - nauseous, dizzy, brain fog etc - so I feel like my whole day revolves around food and then I make poor choices because I’m so so hungry. I was pretty petite before pregnancy but I’m worried I’m going to put on loads of weight (I feel like I’ve already put on quite a bit around my middle) - it’s also more that it’s emotionally getting me down - when it hits it’s like an all consuming hunger (like all I’m craving is salt, fat and sugar) and if I eat something light I’m just hungry again 20 minutes later and don’t feel satisfied and if I eat something large I just feel really sluggish. Will this pass?!

I should also maybe add that I might not feel so bad about eating all the time if I was exercising more, but I’m still so bloody tired (and work is absolutely crazy at the moment) that I’m not really managing much more than walking the dog. I’ve also been hungry since the very start of pregnancy - weeks 6 to 9 I was genuinely waking up in the middle of the night to eat ginger biscuits to stave off hunger pangs!

I remember this both times at around 12 weeks, it's very normal. Remember you are growing a human and you're doing a great job!

Aim to increase your fibre and wholegrains. Switch to wholemeal pasta, lentils in soups add chickpeas and seeds, facing and olive oil dressings to salads. Have full fat Greek yogurts and milk etc and try to go with it. Hopefully it will pass.

@ErikaReadsTheDailyMail thank you - did it pass for you? I was hoping as I got to 12 weeks and the placenta started taking over it would get better!

@Tontostitis youre right - I should make healthier choices, I just feel like my brain is being hijacked! I’m so busy at work as well that I’m not really meal prepping or making decisions in advance which would probably help - I’m relying too much on impulse purchases to get me through the day!

Just started again for me at 30 weeks... I'm putting it down to a growth spurt! That and maybe some nutritional needs so am trying to remember my multivitamin.

*tahini not facing,

the other thing my GP recommended was sucking fruit pastilles he said the slow sugar release would help with the nausea. Looking back I was very slim and just so used to undereating. My pregnant body was having non of that and my seemingly endless appetite was actually a healthy counterbalance.

I would increase your fibre intake as suggested and also up the protein. Full fat options of everything like milk/yoghurt/cheese.

This will pass but in the meantime try not to worry about it. Your body is growing an entire and complex human, and it needs fuel to do that.

@Tontostitis thats a good idea! I wonder if chewing gum might help as well.

@AdoraBell you’re right, it’s just strange because the NHS website and all my doctors have been like you don’t need to increase your calorie intake in pregnancy and you need to watch what you eat - yet my brain is constantly telling me something else!

I was overseas when I was pregnant and my Dr told me that in pregnancy you actually need to lots more vitamins = vegetables, more protein= meat/fish/eggs etc and a tiny increase of carbs.

This was over 20 yrs ago so I don’t know what the NHS advis was then.

Please listen to your body, and don't worry about laying down a little extra weight. You will soon lose it. I was always very hungry when pregnant, for good reason!
I hate the idea of you chewing gum rather than eating!

Drink lots more water and be kind. I had this more this time at 28 weeks and it took about a full week of eating and only being able to think about it before it calmed down. Your body tells you what it needs and extra food at certain points won't harm you. Hopefully your energy will come back in the second trimester and you'll feel more yourself.