Appetite Loss During Pregnancy: Tips for Relief

During pregnancy, women often experience an enhancement in appetite. Yet, some women would experience loss of appetite, and reasons may vary during various trimesters. Loss of appetite during pregnancy, whether mild or severe, should be closely monitored since it’s generally thought that a pregnant woman should have an increased appetite considering the baby she carrying. Read on to find out the causes and remedy options.

When does the pregnant woman experience loss of appetite?

Most of the expecting mothers experience some degree of loss of appetite during the first trimester of the pregnancy. Nausea, vomiting, fatigue etc. that appears as early as the fourth week of the pregnancy can bring about the loss of appetite. The appetite improves during the second trimester and many pregnant women again encounter loss of appetite during the third trimester.

What causes loss of appetite in pregnant women?

Here are some factors that trigger loss of appetite in pregnant women:

1. Morning sickness:

Nausea and vomiting are very common in 70 – 80% of pregnant women in their first trimester. Some may even experience in until the beginning of the second trimester. However, in the case of multiple pregnancies, it can linger to your third trimester as well.  The aversion to certain smell and food, constant nausea, and vomiting obviously can affect your appetite.

2. Stress:

Both the hormone fluctuation and the anxiety about the baby’s development, the possibilities of financial issues (especially for single mothers) can bring about stress. Other outside factors can also affect your state of mind. It is a well-known fact that the stress can either increase or decrease your appetite. Stress can also cause headaches and fatigue that can also lead to a loss of appetite.

3. Gastric issues:

Surging pregnancy hormones can bring about several gastric issues like heartburn, constipation, acid reflux, etc. that hinder the normal appetite.

4. Growing uterus:

Toward the end of the second trimester and during the thirds trimester the baby is big enough to pressurize the stomach of the mother. This will reduce the capacity and quantity of eating. After taking a few bites of food, the mother might feel “full”.

How can I combat loss of appetite during pregnancy?

Thinking, eating, and sleeping well will resolve the loss of appetite during pregnancy to an extent. Here are 6 ways to combat loss of appetite during pregnancy:

1. Eat small meals more frequently:

This is the easiest nutritional balance way to retain the energy levels whendealing loss in appetite. Up to 7 small meals can be consumed by a pregnant woman per day. Small meals can be digested easily without causing vomiting or nausea because they pass easily from esophagus to the stomach and into the intestine without causing any heaviness. Specifically, ensure that your meals have sufficient nutrition instead of just empty calories.

2. Stay well hydrated:

Dehydration or water loss can lead to numerous problems for a pregnant woman, including loss of appetite during pregnancy. On the contrary, if water is consumed at the right time it can lead to an increase in appetite. So, pregnant women should drink plenty of water to avoid several issues that are caused by dehydration, like kidney problems or urinary tract infection. Left untreated, UTI will remain throughout the pregnancy and may lead to severe problems during delivery.

3. Stay active

Staying physically active contributes to combating loss of appetite.  Being active will help you digest food more rapidly and more effectively and, thereby, make you feel hungry. Exercise will also help to bring down the stress, one important factor that triggers the loss of appetite.

4. Discard fast food and carbonated drinks:

Fast food may be filled with flavor, but it’s also very heavy. People that eat fast food don’t always realize how much fat and calories are in a tiny hamburger, chicken sandwich, or whatever it is you’re eating. Avoid fast food if you don’t have an appetite to see if you start to feel better.

5. Increase the intake of fiber:

An important way to start feeling hungry again is to eat foods with a lot of fiber. Fiber-rich food helps to get rid of constipation and bloating, encourages digestion and thereby induces appetite.

6. Take prenatal vitamins:

Make taking your prenatal vitamin as routine as brushing your teeth. Ideally, start taking the vitamin at least a month before conception, or at a minimum, at the time of conception. This will help fill in temporary nutritional gaps.