Food is my enemy

I am 12 weeks tomorrow and I still hate food. I don't like to eat anything, and I feel like my nutrition is really lacking. I am usually a super healthy, well balanced eater. Cooking is something I take a lot of pride in, but I just can't stand food now. Is the baby going to be okay with the lack of nutrition and food I have been eating? I also don't drink enough water, since I am just not thirsty. Is my taste for food and thirst every going to come back? I am getting a little nervous for my health and the health of the baby.

Re: Food is my enemy

i hear that it does get better after the 1st trimester.

Re: Food is my enemy

I'm at 11w3ds and I am in the same boat. All I can eat is bread. Occasionally I can hold something else down but nothing is appealing to me. I was a huge fruit and veggie eater before and not the smell of them disgust me. Everything I do eat, doesn't stay with me.

Re: Food is my enemy

I am only 13 weeks, and did not experience this, but I am sure that your love for healthy eating will come back, and you will start to drink water!!!!

Re: Food is my enemy

I really hated food too even on zofran,I didn't cook at all in my 1st trim. it did get better for me a few weeks ago, much better. the only thing I enjoyed eating were ice cole juicy fruits & forced myself to drink ice cold water or seltzer.

Is anything appealing?

Re: Food is my enemy

I totally feel your pain.

I love food. LOVE food.

good nutritious healthy food.

I love cooking. LOVE IT.

but this pregnancy has knocked me for a loop.

I was constantly sick and wanted NOTHING during my first tri.

hot food was totally out of the picture (except soup)

I lived off of cheese sandwiches for weeks (thankfully I could stomach wheat and oatmeal bread)

I threw up salad, most fruits, veggies. it was awful.

but I kept trying b/c like you I felt TERRIBLY about how poor my eating habits were, and I did not feel comfortable relying on the vitamins (which also made me sick) for nutrients.

the other thing I was able to eat besides cheese sandwiches was soup.

so I ate a ton of it. lentil, chicken noodle...anything with veggies in it.

I made chinatown my friend for roast pork noodle soup with choy sum..or vegetarian won ton soup with fresh spinach.

after about the 15th week, I was able to eat an omlete (spinach and feta)

around the 17th 18th week, I started to be able to at least EAT real food, even if my love or appetite has yet to return.

at about 23 weeks, I still struggle to get "in the mood" for something, and it's very hard on me.

I munch on fruit all day long, which seems to be my favorite thing throughout the pregnancy. cherries, apples, peaches, nectarines, pears, bananas...always within my reach.

other than that, I can take it or leave it.

but always know that the baby takes what it needs from you. so eat what you can, try little bits of things that you love (veggies and fruits especially) and take it from there.

sorry this is so long but I've been struggling a lot, especially today, so it's at the fore front of my mind.

ETA: I STILL have terrible heartburn and reflux (and "vomit burp" every day...I just don't puke) but eating has become better for me. I hope it does for you too.

Message edited 6/17/2009 2:59:18 PM.

Re: Food is my enemy

i was this way till about 20 weeks. i lost 20lbs. i discussed it with the doctor and he said it was ok. i started to slowly gian after the 17week mark because my appetite came back little by little after 16 weeks.

water was my enemy untill i ended up in the hospital. now i drink a gallon a day! and im so strickt to make sure i get it all in.. even if its water, iced tea, juice anything to get down a gallon of fulids a day!!

whatever you can eat and keep down.. eat.. even if its not good for you anything is better then nothing. i was living off mcdonalds for a few weeks because french fries was all i could stomach doc. said it wasnt great but it was better then nothing. the baby will be fine. if your concerned bring it up to the doc. your still very early on. they will only start being concerned with weight loss and stuff usually after 18 weeks if your still not gaining!

im happy to say im up 18lbs and 34weeks so not to worry. my majority of my weight gain was between 20-28weeks. when i was feeling the best.

Re: Food is my enemy

Nothing is appealing. I have tried all my favorites, even simple things like bagels. I basically live on cereal and ginger ale.

I can't take anything with salt, and I am usually a vegetable lover, but now, I just can't stand them. They taste bitter to me. I can stomach fruit, but I am a little nervous about eating too much of it, especially TMI warning, I got my first yeast infection in my life.

Re: Food is my enemy

Can you get down a smoothie or something? a book I read said to get nutrients where you can...and a strawberry or banana smoothy could be a great way to get your fruit and calcium if you add milk?

Re: Food is my enemy

Re: Food is my enemy

cereal is GREAT.

there are so many nutrients in there. if that is what you can eat, go for the heavy hitters...Raisin Brans, Total, Smart Start...anything with whole grains.

but yeah, if there was anything to tolerate well, cereal is IT!!!!

I know it sucks. believe me. you just gotta hunker down and get through.

Re: Food is my enemy

Posted by Ophelia

cereal is GREAT.

there are so many nutrients in there. if that is what you can eat, go for the heavy hitters...Raisin Brans, Total, Smart Start...anything with whole grains.

but yeah, if there was anything to tolerate well, cereal is IT!!!!

I know it sucks. believe me. you just gotta hunker down and get through.

Message edited 6/17/2009 3:47:54 PM.

Re: Food is my enemy

Re: Food is my enemy

Hi,

I am in your boat, I am 13 weeks and have hyperemesis gravidarum to the point that they came to hook me up to IV fluids to make sure I did not dehydrate. Here are some things that the nutrition nurse told me that have really really helped.

Gatorade (COLD, orange Gatorade worked best for me) She said sometimes the bubbles from the ginger ale can cause stomach issues

They also said to eat what you could stomach starting with clear liquids, water wtih lemon at room temp, jell-o, popsicles.
Startches without butter for margarine
Bland veggies
Fruit that is non-acidic - I live on watermelon

Hope that helps