How to deal with lack of appetite in pregnancy?
Diet and healthPregnancy and childbirth
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How to deal with lack of appetite in pregnancy?

Lack of appetite is a common complaint among women especially at the beginning of pregnancy when the pregnant woman struggles with nausea, vomiting and dizziness. During the first trimester, the baby is small in size, so the nutrients provided by the mother are sufficient. However, for this to be possible it is necessary to take care of a balanced diet. So how to overcome the lack of appetite?

What are the causes of a lack of appetite in pregnancy?

Lack of appetite in pregnancy is one of the typical complaints for mothers-to-be, especially in the first trimester. The main reasons for this are morning nausea, nausea and vomiting. Nausea should occur only in the morning, but in some pregnant women it lasts all day. Doctors believe that the cause of nausea and vomiting are hormonal changes occurring during the first trimester of pregnancy. These ailments may also be genetically determined. It happens that the mother of the pregnant woman went through a similar pregnancy. Lack of appetite during pregnancy is also often associated with perceived stress. For many women, the period of pregnancy is a time of many major changes, which affect a slightly worse mood

Unrestrained vomiting occurs in 1 in 1000 pregnancies. Such vomiting can be very dangerous for the mother and the baby. If a pregnant woman vomits all the time, she does not gain weight and loses water and other essential nutrients from her body. Prolonged vomiting can lead to dehydration, liver damage and even pregnancy loss. Lack of appetite is a very common phenomenon – often mothers-to-be complain that products that were among their favorites before pregnancy, now do not make them happy. However, it is worth remembering that if the discomfort is particularly severe, you should see your pregnancy doctor

The hormone beta hCG

Nausea in pregnancy is responsible for the hormone beta hCG, most often pregnancy discomforts increase with the increase of this hormone. The highest concentration of this hormone is between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, and then it starts to decrease. As the hormone increases, nausea and lack of desire for food increases. Nausea and loss of appetite may also have a psychological basis. Anxiety and stress related to pregnancy are often cited as reasons for this. Although it is completely normal, it is worth remembering that the lack of appetite in pregnancy is often connected with hypersensitivity to smells, which additionally influences the problems with systematic eating

In what situations is a pregnant woman’s lack of appetite dangerous?

The development of the child depends on a well-balanced diet. Many women worry that nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite may adversely affect the health of their baby. If a woman ate a rational diet before pregnancy, there is nothing to worry about. Lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting are normal, and the baby takes up all the necessary nutrients from the reserves accumulated by the pregnant woman’s body.

It should be remembered that a pregnant woman should eat for two, not for two. That is why the quality of products is so important, not their quantity. During this time, you should avoid highly processed products that are not able to provide the necessary nutrients

Lack of appetite can be dangerous if the pregnant woman has not been able to eat anything for several days, and her body weight has decreased by 3 kg compared to the initial weight. When a pregnant woman vomits constantly, she should see a doctor because there is a high risk of dehydration. In this situation, she should receive a glucose drip

Lack of appetite in the first trimester, what to do in such a situation?

When a pregnant woman has no appetite at all, she should eat small meals, rich in all nutrients; vegetables, fruits, eggs and nuts that will allow her to meet her caloric needs. A pregnant woman should also exclude sweets from her diet.

It is best if the pregnant woman eats 6-7 small, fully balanced meals. Long intervals between meals or not eating increases nausea and lack of appetite. Nausea occurs less often if small portions of food enter the stomach, so it is important that the interval between meals be no more than 4 hours. A pregnant woman should always have healthy snacks on hand, such as dried or fresh fruit.

Appetite-supporting products

A pregnant woman can support her appetite with:

  • ginger tea – ginger relieves nausea and promotes appetite;
  • bananas, buckwheat groats, red peppers – these foods are great sources of vitamin B6, which is good for the nervous system;
  • almonds, nuts, dried fruit – small snacks stimulate the appetite;
  • a glass of water on an empty stomach;
  • a crust of bread chewed right after waking up.

Products not recommended for lack of appetite

A pregnant woman with nausea should give up:

  • store-bought sweets containing unhealthy trans fats and glucose-fructose syrup;
  • acidic foods;
  • foods that are hard to digest;
  • deep-fried foods.

Lack of appetite, nausea and vomiting are normal complaints during the first trimester of pregnancy. A pregnant woman can stimulate her appetite with home remedies.

Main Photo: Author: Tamas Pap, Source: unsplash.com

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