Pregnancy Hunger - Is this normal???

[HeatherO 7]

I have been hungry lately but it comes on in such a rush.

For instance, tonight I was working, got off work and decided to go to the grocery store with my husband. On the way to the store, I was sooo hungry my stomach actually ached. I was so hungry it was like a physical pain. I bought some marinated/pickled mushrooms and artichokes and ate them in the car on the way back to the house. That in itself is strange because mushrooms and artichokes are not my usual choice of a hunger buster nor eating in the car, lol.

This has happened several times in the last few weeks. Just strange episodes where I am fine and could eat in another hour or two . . . until 5 minutes later where I am just physically aching with hunger where I feel like I could gnaw the bark off the trees if I don't get something fast. It usually only takes a couple bites puts me back in shape (if I eat more than this I will get sick).

I have also had episodes with severe thirst as well where I feel like I am dying for Water and could drink a gallon (of course I can't but it feels like it at the time).

Has anyone else experienced these hunger or thirst extremes? I never really felt this way before or after banding where it is just so excessive.

Edited December 30, 2008 by HeatherO
typo

[JaimeSTL 4]

I've been like that throughout each of my pregnancies. It seems like almost every night when I'm almost off work, I think, oh good I'm not hungry yet. By the time I'm ready to leave work, I'm starving and can't wait to eat. It's crazy. I was like this with my other two kids, so I think it is just a pregnancy thing.

[favorite 3]

i would ask your doctor to test your blood sugar. sometimes it goes out of wack during pregnancy and causes sudden extreme hunger and thirst.

[losingjusme 12]

hunger ... with pregnancy??? so that's the reason i'm up at 4am with a piece of cheese in my hand!!

**sigh**... to say the hunger is there and all of a sudden is an understatement... and when i get hungry i get SUPER cranky... i now carry a little bit of something in my purse just in case it strikes and i'm on the road or something.

[HeatherO 7]

hunger ... with pregnancy??? so that's the reason i'm up at 4am with a piece of cheese in my hand!!

**sigh**... to say the hunger is there and all of a sudden is an understatement... and when i get hungry i get SUPER cranky... i now carry a little bit of something in my purse just in case it strikes and i'm on the road or something.

That is an excellent idea. I think I am going to put some Peanut Butter or maybe cheese crackers or someting in my purse. It has been happening more and more so I am sure it will happen again.

[HeatherO 7]

i would ask your doctor to test your blood sugar. sometimes it goes out of wack during pregnancy and causes sudden extreme hunger and thirst.

I have that testing coming up before too long with the OB.

I also get my sugar tested every year because diabetes runs in my family (along with extra poundage, lol) so I know there is a risk.

[Daisalana 33]

Yes.. yes!! ARGH!!!

I am starving all the time, and if I don't eat regularly I get soooo mad. Christmas day with the in-laws, she was cooking turkey all day and I didn't know when we were eating. I was ravenous, I kept begging DH to go sneak me some turkey meat. She finally brought out cheese & crackers and in 3 hours, I ate the entire platter. I was emberassed at first--kept going back for more, then by the end of 3 hours I didn't care anymore, I was so hungry.

We were on a road trip back from Florida Tuesday with my parents & DH and it's a 6 hour drive. As soon as we left (I was up since 7am, we hit the road at 11am--no food yet) I said let's stop for food first. My dad talked about making good time blah blah, and I started yelling. I said "YOU DON'T HAVE TO EAT BUT LET ME GET SOMETHING!!" and he said he'd stop at Dothan which was 2 hours away. I started to tear-up, telling him I couldn't wait that long. Then he did the old trick he did as a kid "We'll stop in just a minute", then we get to stretches of road with no where to stop, and we didn't stop till Dothan. The whole time to Dothan I kept tearing up and my stomach hurt so bad, I was so hungry and miserable. I thought about staging a PB so they'd have to pull over at a gas station at least and let me get something.

Yeah it's pretty pathetic, if I get hungry and don't eat something I am a wreck. And I will act like a diva and throw a child like tantrum to get it!!

[eejaydiva 3]

OMG, I was reading this whole thread and all your replies and CRACKING up and nodding my head in agreement to what each and every one of you said. I am only 10 weeks too! CRAP....I guess I better get used to this then. I will say that pregnancy requires some preparation. I gotten to carrying chewy granola bars and fruit leather around in my purse. Those are foods that can get squished and squashed and still be in 1 piece when eating, and they are fairly healthy choices. I have an entire desk drawer at work devoted to pretzels, trail mix, Cookies, etc.

My hunger hits so fast sometimes that I get shaky and faint...then the emotional episode sets in and I take everything super personally and get offended and touchy way too fast. We were supposed to meet my parents for dinner the other night, they were being indecisive about where to eat and I nearly threw a fit waiting for them to call and tell us where to meet them. Sometimes on the drive home from work ( a mere 20 minutes), I get so hungry I will eat a few tic tacs or breath mints just to get something in the band pouch.

the thirst doesn't really hit me like that, but oh man, the hunger is NOT something to mess with. And if a coworker heats up something yummy in the office microwave or brings in something like McDonald's fries, i will end up in the drive thru within an hour....I am much more sensitive to good smells now.

[sweetforlife 0]

I too am at the hungry, hungry stage. I feel as though if I don't eat I will attack! This is what my face look like when I am hungryyyyy:mad2:! I am trying to eat very healthy...hey what about Splenda and sugar free juice...are you all staying away from that? I bought some yougurt sweetned with splenda...I am a bit scard to I am giving it away?

[eejaydiva 3]

Help! My hunger subsided for several weeks between 10 and 13 weeks or so, it was very manageable and normal and i had no gain. Now, it has returned very fiercely and I am craving all the bad stuff..Taco Bell, carbs, fries, etc. I don't know what to do, I'm already up a pound this week and don't wanna make it 2 lbs! The band has been a bit tight so maybe that's restricting my meal size a bit, but did anyone experience just major hunger at the start of 2nd trimester?

[HeatherO 7]

The second trimester has been much better for me (if you disregard the overly tight episode last week where I needed an unfill).

I am hungry from time to time, but it is manageable. It is not the same as the first trimester feeling if I don't eat NOW I am going to die. My quantities aren't excessive either, even with a complete unfill.

One thing that has helped me is that I eat more often now. I don't have to eat a lot, but I don't go more than 4 hours without having a bite of something.

My tastes have changed in that I crave specific things. Or maybe it is not so much I am craving something as much as it is I don't want most alternatives.

Lately a regular "4th" meal has been half a banana with a 100 cal whole grain toasted english muffin with pb&j. It is not too many calories . . . it sticks with me for a long time and is very satisfying. I have also been eating about two yogurts a day every day . . . they are full calorie though because I don't want excessive sugar substitutes. The Yoplait whips and thick and creamy yogurts have really hit the spot and they are the only type I buy lately.

For me I think the key to not getting excessively hungry is to keep eating regularly in small amounts.

[Daisalana 33]

I still (now in 3rd trimester!) get super hungry all the time.

Still gaining weight, still get lectures from my doc...

I'm resigned, it's almost over.. I'll get my fill and get back down!