Coping with extreme hunger?

[Stebby]

I need some tips on how to manage my hunger!! I am in my 10th week. I haven't had any nausea, but I've been hungry in a way that I've never been hungry before. I've had this problem for about 4 weeks now. I have been trying to eat my normal amount for a meal, then waiting 20 minutes for my brain to get the message, but after the 20 minutes it's as if I'd never eaten at all ... I'm still famished. (I mean "I could eat a horse" famished.) I have put on nearly 5 lbs in the last 3 weeks, which I think is way too much, too soon. There is a history of diabetes in my family, so I am at risk of developing gestational diabetes especially if I put on too much weight. Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, were you able to manage it so that you didn't end up gaining too much weight?

By the way, I've been trying to eat 3 meals and 2 small snacks each day. I am drinking 10-12 eight-oz glasses of water each day. I am doing the same workouts as I was before, only with lower intensity (Spinning 2-3X per week, Firm or Cathe 2-3X per week, Yoga, teaching aerobics 2X per week).

 

[ErinF]

Some thoughts

Are you making sure that you're eating enough to compensate for the extra calories that you're burning with exercise as well as the extra you need for baby-making? Exercise when you're pregnant, even at a lower intensity, tends to burn more calories because of all of the physical changes pregnancy brings, such as increased blood volume. If you haven't compensated for that increase, the hunger may be a signal that you need to eat more ( healthfully, of course ;-) ).

Make sure that you're getting plenty of protein. There is a lot of progesterone in your body during pregnancy, which tends to make your body break down protein for energy more than it ordinarily does. If your body goes to repair a muscle or grow baby's kidneys and it's already broken down your supply of protein for energy, it will trigger hunger signals, even if by calorie tabulation you're eating enough.

Pregnancy is a time of high insulin production. Insulin, among other things, encourages the storage of fat and increases hunger. Avoid eating too much sugary food or fruits by themselves. Combine them with protein and/or fat to slow the absorption of sugar into your blood. That will help reduce the over-production of insulin and help keep the hunger and excess weight gain under control.

The bottom line becomes: if you're hungry, EAT! Your body knows what you and the baby need. Try to make the most healthy eating choices that you can. Beyond healthy eating and exercise, forget about the scale. This is a time for weight gain. As long as it's gained with healthy foods, it will come off after the baby comes. Gestational diabetes is a concern with EXCESSIVE weight gain, not normal, healthy weight gain during pregnancy.

Good luck!!!!!

Erin

 

[daisyheather]

RE: Some thoughts

I just wanted to let you know that I understand exactly what you are going through. During my last pregnancy I experienced hunger like never before. I was teaching school at the time, which made it difficult to fit snacks in, unfortunately. I would eat lunch and come back to my room and feel starving. It was crazy. I agree with Erin that your body knows what it needs and is asking for more food. Especially if you are working out quite a bit (which is great!) your body needs lots of extra energy. I know it is hard to find healthy snacks, I am the worst to give advice on that, but do your best. It's strange this pregnancy (I'm 14 weeks) I haven't had that intense hunger. I think it is because I am at home and not quite so busy and on my feet all day. Anyway I just wanted to empathize with you and tell you to EAT when hungry Heather

 

[tchersue]

For goodness sake -- you are growing a whole new person inside of you! Listen to your body and eat when you are hungry. I gained 43 lbs. w/ my son (I am 5'10")... I exercised throughout my pregnancy, exercised and nursed after my pregnancy, and every pound of it was off in 4 mos. I also grew a 9 lb. 2 oz. baby inside of me who apparantly needed every bit I could give him!

You may also find that you are starving now, but that the hunger will taper off later on.

Listen to what your body is asking for ... if it is sweets, you might be lacking in vitamin C... try to eat things that give you more bang for your buck, but definitely don't diet.

Susan Hyde
Healthy Moms Certifed Perinatal Fitness Instructor

 

[Stebby]

Thank you, ladies. This is all great advice and I am going to print it off. It's going to be hard for me to accept it if I gain a lot of weight -- I've always had the notion that a 25-lb gain is OK but if I gain more I'll end up with diabetes and be overweight the rest of my life! It is good to know that one can put on more than 25 lb and still get it off!

I'll keep up with the exercise, and also try to make sure I have lots of healthy snacks available so I don't turn to junk. I can't believe the things I've eaten when I haven't taken the time to boil some eggs, have bagels on hand, etc. (Big slices of angel food cake, cookies, chocolate pudding cups, chocolate bars ... the normal things that tell me I've had enough just don't seem to be there anymore!)

Thanks again.

 

[tchersue]

Just keep exercising -- it'll help you take off anything you gain... and, along with a good diet, it'll help you avoid GD.

I've been keeping cantaloupe and apples in the house this pregnancy -- I've had a sweet tooth, and I've found that it helps to have some fruit in the house. Cantaloupe, in particular, has some great vitamins in it as well.

I also eat yogurt when I feel like I'm starving. I don't do the non-fat variety -- for 20 or 30 extra calories, I can enjoy the custard variety... and I feel like I have splurged

Susan

 

[tchersue]

Just keep exercising -- it'll help you take off anything you gain... and, along with a good diet, it'll help you avoid GD.

I've been keeping cantaloupe and apples in the house this pregnancy -- I've had a sweet tooth, and I've found that it helps to have some fruit in the house. Cantaloupe, in particular, has some great vitamins in it as well.

I also eat yogurt when I feel like I'm starving. I don't do the non-fat variety -- for 20 or 30 extra calories, I can enjoy the custard variety... and I feel like I have splurged

Susan