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How To Deal With Appetite Loss During Pregnancy?

How To Deal With Appetite Loss During Pregnancy?

26 Apr 2023 | 5 min Read

Sudeshna Chakravarti

Author | 799 Articles

During pregnancy, many women experience food-related concerns, such as nausea and food aversion. These symptoms usually occur due to your changing body and tend to subside by the time you enter your second trimester. In addition to these concerns, some women may also experience appetite loss during pregnancy.

While having a poor appetite during pregnancy is common, this condition should not be overlooked. This is because during this time your body requires a certain amount of essential nutrients and vitamins to maintain your and your growing baby’s optimal health, and the inability can deprive you of proper nourishment.

Read on to know more about the possible causes of appetite loss during pregnancy and ways to fulfill your nutritional requirements.

Reasons For Appetite Loss During The First Trimester

Morning sickness and nausea can reduce your appetite during the first trimester / Image credit: Freepik

Nausea, morning sickness, and vomiting are the main causes of appetite loss during the first trimester. Additionally, the development of a metallic taste in your mouth and sensitivity toward strong smells can lead to appetite reduction.

Generally, reduced appetite during the first trimester does not affect your or your baby’s health. However, in some cases, it can lead to adverse outcomes. For instance, if you have hyperemesis gravidarum (a severe form of morning sickness), you may experience frequent vomiting and nausea, leading to poor appetite and dehydration.

Tips To Manage Appetite Loss In The First Trimester

Follow these tips to ensure you get adequate nutrients required to maintain a healthy pregnancy.

Have smaller but frequent meals: Instead of having three big meals, break your meals into four or five smaller ones, and eat at regular intervals. This way the amount of food you eat in a meal is less, which helps you keep the food down in your stomach. Also, this technique can help keep your blood sugar levels in good control.
Make healthy food choices: Whenever you feel hungry in between your meals, have easily-digestible foods, such as yogurt, bananas, and whole-wheat crackers. These foods contain plenty of fibre, protein, and other nutrients that offer optimal nourishment to you and your baby.
Stay hydrated: Drink lots of water and other liquids to keep yourself hydrated. This helps fight dehydration, which may occur due to reduced food intake. Hence, aim to take at least 8-10 glasses of water throughout the day to maintain hydration.
Take prenatal vitamins: If you have any deficiency or nutrient insufficiency, you should pay special attention to consuming prenatal vitamins. Consult your doctor to know whether you need any other essential vitamins. Also, you can talk to a nutritionist to create a well-balanced meal plan, suitable for your appetite.

Reasons For Appetite Loss During The Second Trimester

While most women overcome appetite loss and nausea by the 14th week of their pregnancy, some may continue to experience it even in the later trimesters. Appetite loss during the second trimester is usually caused due to the rise in progesterone hormones that make your gastrointestinal activity sluggish and slow down digestion.

Some women may also experience reduced appetite due to their growing bellies. This is because as your belly expands, it puts additional pressure on your stomach, making you feel full quickly.

Tips To Meet Nutritional Requirements In The Second Trimester

If you experience appetite loss in the second trimester, adhere to the first trimester rules. Additionally, add the following nutrients to your diet to replenish your body and support your baby’s rapid growth and development in this trimester.

Calcium: You need about 1000 mcg of calcium regularly during pregnancy. Calcium helps regulate body fluids and support the development of your baby’s teeth and bones.
Protein: You should consume 71 gm of protein per day. Protein is essential to increase blood supply during pregnancy, and also support fetal brain development.
Folate: You need to take at least 600 mcg of folate regularly. This micronutrient helps in the development of your baby’s nervous system and also reduces the risk of neural tube defects.

Reasons For Appetite Loss During The Third Trimester

Indigestion and heartburn can make it difficult to eat during the third trimester / Image credit: Freepik

Your growing tummy in the third trimester causes laborious breathing, which further makes it uncomfortable for you to eat. Additionally, experiencing constipation, slow digestion, or heartburn can reduce your appetite further.

Tips To Meet Nutritional Requirements In The Third Trimester

Make sure to adhere to healthy eating habits and follow active lifestyle practices even in your third trimester. Additionally, focus on the following tips to address digestive issues, such as constipation and heartburn.

Consume fibre-rich foods from different food groups.
Practice mild exercises and stretches as recommended by your doctor.
Drink plenty of fluids.
Avoid lying down immediately after having a meal.
Identify food triggers responsible for heartburn and acidity, and steer clear of them.

Conclusion

It is common to experience appetite loss during pregnancy due to various bodily and hormonal changes. To prevent this condition, have smaller and more frequent meals, and enrich your diet with essential nutrients to ensure adequate nourishment and support the growth of your baby.

While reduced appetite during pregnancy is pretty harmless if you experience severe food aversion, or are unable to keep food down, consult your healthcare provider immediately to prevent further pregnancy complications.