Hungry all the time?!?!

[dixie_chop]

Does anyone else feel like they are constantly hungry? I finish a meal and within and HOUR, I am starving again. There is no middle ground, I go from content to very hungry right away. I am really concerned about this b/c I really don't want to gain a ton of weight during this pregnancy. I am about 10lbs overweight for my height anyway going into this so I don't want to add on more unneeded weight. Yet I feel bad ignoring some of the hunger. I know for sure that I am eating enough and I am eating tons of fruits and vegitables, so I know that the baby is getting plenty but I still feel guilty if I ignore the hunger, so I find myself trudging back to the kitchen for more food. I am only 7weeks and I feel like if I keep eating at this rate, I will be huge by the end of the pregnancy. I know this sounds horrible, but its really bothering me.
Last night, I ate continuisly throughout the evening. About 8:30, I had a salad and a peice of corn on the cob. I didn't want anything fatty or with meat since I had ate so much throughout the day. I finished it and felt content and by the time I went to bed an hour later, my stomach was growling! I was so frustrated that I decided to ignore it, drink some water and go to bed. When I woke up this morning, I was nausious from going to bed hungry. It took me about 20 min to get my stomach under control, so that I could get dressed and ready for work.
So is anyone else experiencing this? Is there anything that you are eating that helps to keep you full longer?

[summerbaby]

Hi dixie chop,
First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy! Secondly, the incredible hunger and hunger attacks are normal - at least they were for me! I was just as surprised as you to be soooo hungry at the beginning. Don't worry, in a few weeks it will likely subside and your appetite will return to normal, or even lessen - if you later have heartburn or digestion problems --

Listen to your body and eat, but make good choices and try to eat more slowly - and it sounds like you are doing that already. I seemed to eat a lot of carbs and cheese, then fruits and veggies...
It is often recommended to eat 5 little meals a day - The so-called "grazing approach". Or, keep with 3 good ones and then healthy snacks in between and in the evening.
If you are making good choices, the good nutrients will go to the baby. Eating lots of junk will pretty much only pack on the pounds and don't offer much in the way of nutrition. (Common sense, right?)
Eventually, your body will fall into a rhythm and you will know when you are apt to be hungry.

I also started the pregnancy like you, about 10 lbs overweight. I did gain more weight at the beginning, then when the hunger subsided and my appetite returned to relative normal, the weight gain leveled off and I am on track. It all depends on how you spend your calories. I also found that by eating "healthy" with little junk, most of my weight is in my belly and the rest of me has stayed looking just about the same.

Wishing you all the best for a smooth rest of your pregnancy.
xx summer

[dixie_chop]

Thanks for the tips. The interesting part is that I actually crave more fruits/veggies than anything else. I do eat veggies in normal everyday life, but more b/c thats what your supposed to do, not necessarily b/c I am in the mood for them. I think I am craving them more b/c of my increase in thirst - since there so water based.
I just went to the grocery store sunday night and filled up on veggies and they are almost all gone. So I guess its better than eating crap all day. It just feels so weird to me to eat a full meal and be hungry so quickly. The other thing that makes this hard is I am lactose intolerant, so I can't eat things like yogurt, which are more filling. I have tried to eat it and take the lactose medication but I still feel sick to my stomach.
I guess I will just have to give in to the cravings for the time being and hope that it levels out like you are saying. THanks again!

[MedStudentMom2B]

Hey Dixie_chop,

I totally understand what you are saying. I am constantly hungry. It feels so weird. Have you noticed that you are drinking more also? I usually dont like drinking water (although I know its good for you), but for the past few weeks I have been drinking nonstop! And I only crave water, not juice or anything else. And I've been peeing like a racehorse because of it. Do you know if this will continue until the end of pregnancy? I feel like Im constantly in the bathroom! lol.

[dixie_chop]

I am definitely more thirsty but not to the level that I have heard from others like yourself. Regardless, I too, am in the bathroom constantly. Generally it doesn't bother me except for the fact that I love my sleep and getting up in the midle of the night TWICE is like torture. I have limited my water after 7:30/8:00pm and that has helped. The increase in peeing is b/c our kidneys are working harder to eliminate toxins. I think the babys kidneys kick in here soon and help with that, so it should go down a bit. But it won't be gone for long b4 the pressure of the growing uterus puts pressure on the bladder and makes it bad again. So, your pretty much going to go like this for the remainder of your pregnancy.

[Eve2860]

Hi everyone,
First of all congrats to all of you. I am pregnant with twins I am 5wks and 6days today. I tought it was me but I am hungry all the time. Last night I went to the bathroom at 5 am because I am allways in the bathroom these days and I was hungry for some yogurt and fruit. My dh was laughing so hard.
I tink it is normal its apregnancy sign
Have a great day
Eve