If you have always associated pregnancy with cravings and loads of cream and cheese, you might be in for a shock when you get pregnant. The general image of a pregnant woman portrayed on the big and small screens is of someone who is allowed to “eat for two people” and who wants to eat all the time. A steady weight gain in a pregnant woman is a cause for celebration. However, reality is not always that rosy, thanks to the loss of appetite and nausea a good many pregnant women go through. If you are pregnant, and if you do not feel like eating, it can be a major cause of concern, mainly because pregnancy is that phase of your life when good nutrition is of utmost importance. So, what do you do? Read on.

• Why Don’t You Feel Like Eating During Your Pregnancy?
• How Can I Get Enough Nutrition When I Do Not Feel Like Eating During Pregnancy?
• What Will Happen To My Baby’s Growth If I Don’t Eat?

Why Don’t You Feel Like Eating During Your Pregnancy?

Loss of appetite and nausea are very common during the first trimester of any pregnancy.The reasons can be multiple. It can be-

1. Your body’s way of ensuring no harmful food reaches the fetus
2. Your body’s response to all the hormonal play that happens in your body during pregnancy
3. An aftermath of your hypersensitivity to smell and taste (which is again as a result of hormonal changes)
4. Loss of appetite because of frequent and all day (and night) morning sickness (whoever coined that word??)
5. The metallic taste that seems to be sticking to your palate

How Can I Get Enough Nutrition When I Do Not Feel Like Eating During Pregnancy?

Of course, it is important that you do get enough nutrients in your body to support the needs of your growing baby. Though it is not all important to put on pounds during the first trimester, the later trimesters have to be accompanied with substantial weight gain so that the baby grows and develops properly. Some tips to combat the issue of loss of appetite are:

1. Keep yourself hydrated: It is more important to ensure that you drink enough water than you meet your calorie target for the day. Ensure you drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water daily. You can also drink fruit juices or green tea if it helps the nausea. Lemon juice is supposed to help nausea, but for some women it leads to acidity
2. Keep your portions small: Do not literally try to eat for 2 people. Remember the second person is extremely tiny. If you try to stuff in too much, it might all come rolling back soon. Instead, try small portions of meal more frequently throughout the day
3. Avoid strong masalas: Extremely spicy food, loaded with chilies and garam masala are not great during pregnancy. Chinese food, which again has many spicy sauces, should also be avoided
4. Eat light foods: Try to eat simple foods like grilled chicken, dal, yoghurt, bananas and so on. Protein and complex carbohydrates are the way to go. They will keep you fuller for longer and will also keep your blood sugar from spiking
5. Eat foods that do not trigger nausea: Do not worry about eating a variety of fruit and vegetables. If you are able to eat only bananas, then so be it. Do not force yourself to eat foods that you cannot keep down
6. Try foods in different temperature: If you don’t like it hot, try chilling it! We mean it. Some pregnant women claim that food that they could not stomach when hot, they could enjoy when chilled. And vice versa
7. Ensure you take your vitamins: Ensure you take your prenatal vitamins every day. This might include tablets or capsules containing folic acid, multivitamins, iron and calcium. If you are having severe nausea, discuss with your doctor if you need any additional supplements to compensate the nausea
8. Do not stop eating: It might feel counterproductive to eat only to puke it out later. But do not stop eating for the fear of nausea. Even if a small amount of food stays inside, then that makes eating worth it

We hope you follow the above tips and ensure good nutrition throughout your pregnancy, whether you have nausea or not. However, we know this is not easy. And one question that makes all pregnant women, especially in the first trimester, anxious is:

What Will Happen To My Baby’s Growth If I Don’t Eat?

There is some room for relief here. When you are pregnant, your baby becomes your body’s first priority. This means that whether you eat or not, your baby takes all that it requires from your body. Your body has lot of stored nutrients which act like a reserve for the fetus. This will last till your nausea phase passes and you are back at your dining table again. So, no, your baby’s growth is not impacted by your loss of appetite. The only person who will suffer if you are unable to eat is, unfortunately, you. You will feel tired and lethargic all the time, which is why we hope you can follow the tips we mentioned in this article. Know about the top foods that can fill you with energy during pregnancy.
Have a safe pregnancy!