quick clicks

pregnancy today articles

pregnancy today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Grazing Questions

Is It OK to Eat All Day While Pregnant?

By Melinda Copp

Pregnancy can make a big impact on appetite. Many women are so sick in the first trimester that they can't even think about food. And this often subsides considerably by trimester two, unleashing the insatiable hunger that gives pregnancy its pickles-and-ice-cream reputation. But doesn't eating all the time go against everything you've learned about consumption in moderation? Is grazing really all that bad for you?

Pregnant women have a lot on their minds, so naturally their food cravings aren't always hunger-related. If you're concerned about the pregnancy for any reason, anxious about transitioning into motherhood or even debating your new baby's name on a bad day, you may reach for a snack to calm your nerves. So the first question to ask yourself before you reach for the fridge is are you really hungry, or are you just looking for a way to relax?

If you're not hungry, you need to find something else to do, like take a walk or call a friend. Non-food distractions are a healthy way to deal with emotions, which can actually compound when you allow yourself to overeat.

"If you're feeling apprehensive about having a baby – and who doesn't – gaining excess weight is only going to make things worse," says Melinda Johnson, registered dietitian and spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "So it's better to deal with it head on with more appropriate tools, such as talking it out with a close friend or counselor, or journaling."

If you are truly hungry all the time, you should look at your overall eating habits. Many women feel the need to graze all day because they aren't able to handle larger, square meals. You may feel sick or get heartburn when you eat large amounts in one sitting.

Justine Esposito, a mom from New Milford, Conn., who is 21 weeks pregnant with her second child, says that grazing helps keep her hunger in check throughout the day so she isn't inclined to eat big meals.

Want to see more?

• Check out our Article Library.
• Two of Everything, Please: Debunking the Myth
  of Eating for Two
• Snacks Done Right: Satisfying Cravings
  in a Healthy Way
• Pregnancy Nutrition from A to Z: A Comprehensive List of Nutrition Issues for Moms-to-be
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.