Lack Of Appetite During Pregnancy
Worrying about not being hungry during pregnancy is more common than you might think. Hormonal, physical and emotional factors can lead to poor appetite. Simple actions can help you fight it and consume what is needed.
Weight gain is what we women fear the most when thinking about pregnancy, but poor appetite during pregnancy is more common than we think. However, there are reasons for this and ways to deal with it, to make sure that we are eating what our body and our baby need.
It may be that just a few days after receiving the big news, we won’t even tolerate walking past our favorite restaurant. Then a new fear arises: I am not hungry and I have to feed myself not twice, but for two.
During these 40 weeks, we experience different symptoms and sensations. Not only do we feel the hiccups or the movements of the baby inside the womb. Hormones and bodily changes also do theirs, leading to changes in our eating habits.
Lack of Appetite During Pregnancy … Why Aren’t You Hungry?
Every woman is different and therefore every pregnancy is different. You might be one of those craving cravings who eat strange combinations like lentils with jelly. Perhaps you are one of those who perceive no change. But if you are one of those who suffer the most from poor appetite during pregnancy, then don’t worry, as it is very likely that it is due to very natural causes.
The reasons for loss of appetite during this stage of motherhood can be very varied. We are going through different physical, chemical and emotional changes over the past nine months.
Hormonal changes
Human chorionic gonadotropic hormone (HCG), called pregnancy hormone, is only present in our blood during pregnancy and is responsible for nausea and vomiting. These discomforts are likely to be the main causes of poor appetite during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester.
HCG also stimulates the production of other hormones, estrogen and progesterone. These can also contribute to the loss of the desire to eat because they slow down the digestion process.
Changes inside and out
As the body prepares to welcome the baby in your womb, there is a relaxation of the stomach muscles. This is another possible cause of poor appetite during pregnancy. General discomfort and fatigue can also play a role.
In addition, between the second and third semester, there is a slowing down of the digestive system. The pressure caused by the growing uterus and the size of the fetus in the lower part of the intestine slows digestion, which can affect your desire to eat.
You may also lose the desire to eat due to constipation or gas that some people suffer from. They often generate gastric discomfort, as well as difficult digestion. Likewise, heartburn can make us inappetent.
Hot seasons
When we carry our little one indoors, we can feel more body heat. If we add to this the fact that part of our pregnancy coincides with seasons of high temperatures like summer, it is very likely that we do not feel the urge to munch on life to the fullest.
We may also be subject to more intense conditions typical of seasonal changes such as spring asthenia. This “slowing down” that we feel in the face of spring-induced changes can generate symptoms such as fatigue.
When emotions reign
The big hormonal changes that we go through make us more sensitive. If we add to that the anxiety and stress that we feel while waiting to hold our little one in our arms, pregnant women can suffer from a carousel of feelings.
This emotional frame can be a psychological reason for the lack of appetite. Mood swings from pregnancy can even take us away from our usual favorite foods.
What to do about the lack of appetite during pregnancy?
As we have seen, most of the causes are due to normal and natural reasons. There are therefore simple ways to cope, without them being sources of stress or shocks, which prevent us from enjoying our pregnancy or the pleasures of eating.
See your doctor first
The first thing we need to do is inform our doctor, who can rule out other more important causes. He will check with the help of simple and common medical tests, that the mother and the child are consuming the vitamins and minerals necessary for their good health.
In addition, a doctor can determine if it is necessary to supplement your diet with specific supplements. Remember that at this point we need to be more careful about what we are consuming. The advice of a specialist is therefore the best guide.
Cure poor appetite during pregnancy: take it step by step
Eating small portions several times a day is ideal. It is advisable to eat something light every two and a half to three hours. This way you “fill your belly” without feeling completely full. You also help activate your digestion and metabolism, as well as prevent acidity.
If you suffer from morning sickness, consider a common recommendation, which is to have bread or crackers by the bed so you wake up to a bite to eat.
Know the dos and don’ts
Learn how to identify foods that are causing you discomfort and take them off your shopping list and menu. On the contrary, detect the ones that appeal to you the most and that don’t make you repulsive or heavy during digestion, and include them in your diet.
Make sure it is natural or unprocessed food. Forget about heavy, salty foods with lots of sauces, saturated fat and fried foods. The decisions you make about your diet during the first few months are essential in overcoming the discomforts inherent in the state of pregnancy.
Treat Lack of Appetite During Pregnancy: Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Your menu should be filled with fruits and vegetables. They are the ones that provide more nutrients, less discomfort, and more fluids to meet your body’s needs.
There is such a variety of vegetables and legumes that there is no excuse to enrich your menu with different options. Plus, fruit is always the best choice for snacks. You can take them with you, they refresh you and being a rich source of fiber, they help in better digestion.
Get organized
It will be helpful to plan your menu weekly or at least daily, starting the night before. When you wake up, you’ll know you’ll be eating for breakfast, snacks, and the rest of your meals.
Prepare a good breakfast, eat less for lunch, and dine at cooler times of the night. Always carry something light in your bag, so you don’t have to resort to street options and skipping meals. Try to eat something every three hours, even if you have no appetite.
Prepare meals in advance that you can keep in the refrigerator. Avoid very elaborate or tiring kitchens, as you certainly won’t want to do them. Vary the menu, look for different ways to prepare the food so you don’t get bored eating it.
Cure a lack of appetite during pregnancy: hydrate yourself properly
Your doctor has certainly told you that during these nine months you need to be well hydrated to activate the kidneys and prevent fluid retention. It is also a way to fight the lack of appetite during pregnancy.
Always prefer water, herbal teas and natural juices low in sugar. Plus, if you’re going through your pregnancy with high temperatures, look for options like gazpachos and smoothies that contain veggies for your meals or snacks.
Avoid a sedentary lifestyle
Walking, yoga, or low-impact exercise will help your digestive system function better. In addition, correct sitting and eating postures also aid the digestion process. Exercise usually makes you want to eat, which is what you need to deal with poor appetite during pregnancy.
Of course, it’s not about overdoing physical exercise. Respect and value your moments and days of rest. At bedtime, it is best to be half-seated, not fully lying down, to avoid reflux and a burning sensation in the stomach.
Final recommendation
The important thing is that you always keep in mind that your body undergoes natural changes necessary for the good development of your pregnancy and the child. The discomforts that attack you in the first trimester and do not allow you to enjoy your meals, will pass quickly. Then there may even be a “boosted” appetite, which must also be controlled by good eating habits.
