Medical Gynecologist in Indiranagar | Dr. Bhargavi Reddy

Let me start with one small story. A couple came to my clinic for their regular check-up. Wife was pregnant and it was her second trimester. During entire check-up I was feeling that they want to ask something but somehow they were not able to ask. At the end, husband decided to open up and he asked one question which made me laugh. He quietly asked me “Doctor my wife has some problem. Now a day she is eating too much. Every hour she need something to eat and she keep on searching the kitchen in search of snacks or food. She is very heath conscious but the way she is eating I am scared. Is this normal doctor”

I told that his wife is perfectly fine and it is quite common to eat more especially during second trimester of pregnancy.
During this time cravings pick up and you need more calories to feed your ever-growing baby

Here’s how to whet your appetite and ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you both need.

So let us understand as when does appetite generally increase during pregnancy?

Some women notice their craving increases as soon as the first trimester of pregnancy. However, most feel an i cravings pick up and you need more calories to feed your ever-growing baby hunger during the second trimester, around the time that morning sickness ends.

Why do I feel hungry all the time while pregnant?
Quite simply, your increased hunger during pregnancy is due to your growing baby demanding more food — and she’s sending the message to you loud and clear.

What can I do about increased appetite when I’m pregnant?

When it comes to satisfying your increased hunger during pregnancy, listen to your body, but stay sensible. Remember that while you are eating for two, one of you is a whole lot smaller, so the “one for me, one for baby” principle doesn’t add up. Here are a few tips to keep hunger pangs in check:

• Stay hydrated: It is very important to keep your self well hydrated. Ring lots of fluids ans say a big no to soda which can add excess calories and sugar

• Keep your calories in check: Most moms don’t need any more calories at all during the first trimester. In the second trimester, the majority of moms only need about 350 more calories daily than they were eating in their pre-pregnancy diets; that increases to about 500 in the third trimester. If you’re carrying multiples, you could need to eat up to 300 calories a day for each baby.

• Eat a healthy pregnancy diet: Make sure that the diets should be healthy. Add lots of fruits and vegetable in your diets. Your diet should contain lots of fiber and proteins.

• Eat small, frequent meals: Instead of three square meals a day, opt for five or six mini-meals that are eaten every three hours. If you eat too much at any one sitting, you’ll end up feeling overstuffed — plus, it can lead to even more bloating, gas, heartburn and general gastrointestinal upset than you’re already experiencing. When you eat a little bit every few hours, you’ll never reach a point where you’re starving and likely to overdo it.

• Carry snacks: It is always good to carry some snacks so that you so you’ll have something healthy to eat if you are feeling hungry.

• Watch your pregnancy weight gain: If you didn’t gain much weight in the first trimester (or even lost some due to nausea), pregnant hunger pangs may be your body’s way of catching up. But if you’re packing on the pounds too quickly, talk to your doctor about how to change your diet to keep your weight gain in check.