Controlling appetite

[tammybear]

What's the best way to control your appetite when you're pregnant? I mean, of course, once you have the number of calories you should be ingesting, how do you resist the urge to eat. Usually, I'd take a diet pill to help me cut back on the cravings...but since I"m pregnant that's not really an option...any suggestions?

[treehuggertodd]

Fill up on veggies like celery, cucumber and carrots when you get a snack. Drink water. Try to distract your mind with something that interests you and keep your hands busy. Essentially, you apply the same methods you would (without taking a diet pill of course) that you would use even if you weren't pregnant to stop yourself from eating. It's a matter of being bigger than your desires and not giving into cravings. It'll be hard, but you can do it.

[Tiff]

I have to agree with treehugger todd. These are all the best ways to stop yourself from eating too much. I know that it really is easier said than done, but you've got to be tough with yourself. You can't give yourself excuses to not do something just because it's hard and it sucks. Sometimes, you just got to do it, plain and simple.

[tammybear]

Fill up on veggies like celery, cucumber and carrots when you get a snack. Drink water. Try to distract your mind with something that interests you and keep your hands busy. Essentially, you apply the same methods you would (without taking a diet pill of course) that you would use even if you weren't pregnant to stop yourself from eating. It's a matter of being bigger than your desires and not giving into cravings. It'll be hard, but you can do it.

Thanks those are helpful suggestions, but I'm still worried that it won't be enough. I know it's about willpower, but sometimes, the craving for food is so much I just feel like I have to give in and it's all I can think about and eventually I just cave because I'm feeling so miserable, or I can't sleep. Maybe I'll see if there is some type of pill I can take to help.

[ffviifan]

Hey tammybear, I totally understand what you mean about craving food so much that it makes your life a misery. It's not simply a matter of not eating, it feels like if you don't, you'll just lose your mind or something. It's almost tortuous! I know that sounds dramatic, but controlling my appetite is definitely my biggest albatross. I can't even imagine how much harder it would be if I were pregnant!

That said, one thing that has helped me a lot is meditation. It's good to make it a regular part of your day, but I've also found that when you are really hungry and you know you've already eaten enough, meditating can actually get your mind over that hump and redirect your thoughts. An exercise like Tai Chi may also be helpful as it's about the mind as much as it is about strengthening your body and it's not as intense as Yoga and Pilates :)

[Gina]

Track your calories. Find out how many you're supposed to eat during your pregnancy and stay within your limits. You might find that the more you track and understand the food you're putting in your body, the more you'll get out of your calories, which could help with controlling appetite. For instance, you're going to feel a lot more satisfied eating a 100 calorie apple than drinking 100 calories wroth of apple juice.

[kellykatt]

Track your calories. Find out how many you're supposed to eat during your pregnancy and stay within your limits. You might find that the more you track and understand the food you're putting in your body, the more you'll get out of your calories, which could help with controlling appetite. For instance, you're going to feel a lot more satisfied eating a 100 calorie apple than drinking 100 calories wroth of apple juice.

It's true. You need to track your calories and just have willpower. Yeah that might not sound easy but it's the truth and you can't let being pregnant and having cravings be your excuse not to manage your weight if managing your weight is important to you.