Am I over eating at 14 weeks?

Question

I am more hungry than usual (I'm about 14 weeks) and I eat cereal for breakfast, occasionally a pain au chocolat (like once or twice a week) the I may have a small bowl of cereal mid morning and a sandwich for lunch. Then I have a piece of fruit in the afternoon and then my evening meal when I get home. The problem is since I have been pregnant a colleague seems to be keeping an eye on everything I eat and keeps saying things like "Are you still eating lots then?" and stuff like that. It's getting to the point where I am making sure she never sees me eating and it's doing my head in. Does this sound a lot to you? I just thought I was eating little and often and I can't help it if I'm hungrier than usual. Maybe I'm a bit sensitive at the moment (hormones etc.) but I really wish she'd just mind her own business. Also saying things like - "you're not eating for three you know!". I haven't put on that much weight, i'm generally slim and it is really starting

to get me down...

Answer 1

No you are not....don't forget your body is drawing on its reserves to create a whole human there! At the moment you have 2 of everything and your placenta and baby are demanding more food from you.How do they expect you to provide enough food to fuel your body and create a new one? If you are being checked regularly by the midwife or doc then they will tell you if you are putting on too much weight. You know yourself if you are putting on too much weight....be honest and take a look in the mirror....tell tale areas are at the back under the shoulder blades and inner thighs.....if all looks about normal then don't worry!

Sounds more like the other person is a tad jealous and will no doubt be making more 'fat' comments to you throughout the pregnancy...Be careful NOT to listen to them!

According to this website:

Pregnancy weight gain calculator

But what is a good diet in pregnancy? First of all, don't start a weight loss diet! Pregnancy isn't the time to lose weight. Eat a good, nutritious diet, and you'll have no problem losing your pregnancy weight gain after your baby is born. If you have a weight problem - if you are either underweight or overweight - then you may need to follow a special nutritional programme during your pregnancy. Discuss this with your doctor. Nor is pregnancy the time to starve yourself. Some people worry about how much weight women should gain during pregnancy? a range of 8 to 16 Kg is normal but it does not matter much unless you exceed this range by a long way. Few British doctors recommend any special weight gain target. Of course if you gain much more than 20Kg or so it will take some time after pregnancy to lose it. So while you should not diet during pregnancy, nor should you use pregnancy as an excuse to eat all the time, either!

It has a pregnancy and weight gain calculator which is very easy to use and full of information. Best of luck and I am dead jealous you are pregnant!!!! All the best hon' x.

Answer 2

I think it is very rude for this woman to comment on what you are eating, regardless of whether you are pregnant or not! You really should say something to her to try to nip it in the bud otherwise it's going to really upset you.
Even if you have to say something in a jokey way, say something! If you can't say something serious, call her 'the food police' and joke that you can't put anything in your mouth without her making a comment. That might be enough to shut her up!

It's very hard to assess how much you are actually eating from the detail you have given, as you don't say what your evening meal is, or what you have in a sandwich. You should make sure that you get adequate protein however, to meet the needs of your growing baby. So add a handful of nuts to your snack or fruit, or having some carrots and hummus and a few oatcakes.
You sound like you are having a few larger meals with snacks in between - that's a good way of keeping your sugar levels constant and you should carry on with that.

According the UK government guidelines, you only need an extra 300 calories in your last trimester, (you are not eating for 2!) but you still need around 2000 calories a day, maybe more depending on your activity levels. Many young women don't eat enough, so this may involve increasing the amount you eat.
If you are concerned about whether you are eating too much or not enough, maybe just write down what you eat for a few days and then add up the calories and this will give you a good idea. But as long as you are eating healthily and listening to your hunger, you are probably eating the right amount.

Answer 3

It looks as if you are hardly eating at all - I eat more than you do and I am not pregnant. When I was, I ate the same as always, maybe a bit more, but your food intake certainly isn't a lot. If you are gaining good weight, good for you. Just make sure you have a bit of everything. Whereas for this colleague of yours - just ignore - people always have an opinion. I had comments made when I was pregnant (you have all this to come later on) that my bump was not big enough for my gestation, that I looked like I swallowed a malteser etc, and guess from whom - the girls that have never had kids!! Talk about knowedge! Also from a woman that is clinically mega obese ( you couldn't even see when she was pregnant because there was so much fat around her), she reconed I was small, yet I gave birth to a bigger baby that hers! I enjoyed rubbing that in her face! I ended up taking early maternity leave as I couldn't be arsed any more with people's comments and opinions. What I am trying to say is that you shouldn't worry about comments like that, people always think they are right and feel that they are allowed to make inappropriare remarks. If you are not worried, your midwife isn't, there is no reason for an old bag to worry you. Enjoy this wonderful and special time in your life, congratulations!! Take care.

Answer 4

Ignore this colleague! You might be eating a bit more than usual, but you need to remember that you are eating for 2! You are also eating extremely healthy, which balances out the point that your eating extra. If you are hungry, you must eat as this is the only way your baby gets what he/she needs. When I was pregnant, all I wanted to eat was sweet things and when I was at work I would eat a cake from the bakers every single day, even when I told myself I was not going to buy one, but when it came to it, I always did! To answer your question, NO, you are NOT overeating and you should tell this colleague of yours to mind her own business! If you are still worried, speak to your midwife or doctor for peace of mind! Good Luck, hope all goes well for you and your little one!

Answer 5

Well the general rule is you're only supposed to consume about 250-300 calories more then you normally do in a day.

However that depends on who you are and what your eating.

From what you said your eating perfectly healthy and fine.
Even if you want to indulge sometimes thats ok.

Is your co-worker heavy? Is it jealousy? I would say well no I'm not overeating. I'm eating small meals and healthy at that.

When I was into working out serious I ate about 6-7 small meals a day. Sure some people probably thought I was overeating but if its piece of fruit come on thats nothing.

Don't worry about that person just worry about your and your baby.

Answer 6

Yes you may find you are hungrier than usual, I am 24 weeks and have a huge appetite some days! It doesnt look like your eating more than you should be, listen to your body if you are hungry, eat!! just make sure it is something healthy and nutritious and not a giant cake or burger!

As for your colleague, just point out to her, its your baby, your body and its no concern of hers, how much you eat and what you eat! unless she has some nutritional qualifications what the hell does she know! your weight gain could be water retention anyway so far. perhaps she is a little jealous??

Good luck with your pregnancy and enjoy every meal!!

Answer 7

It doesn't sound like you're eating much at all. First off, it sounds like you're having mostly carbs for breakfast and a morning snack. Maybe replace the mid morning snack with some protein, like a cheese stick, yogurt, veggies with hummus. A sandwich probably isn't enough for lunch, maybe have a fruit and/or veggie with it.

At this point you should be eating an extra 300 calories per day, and you're probably so hungry because you're just not eating enough. Next time your coworker makes a comment just give her a smart remark back and don't let her see it bother you...she'll get bored with messing with you soon enough.

Answer 8

You're not eating too much. What your doing is fine. Carry on as you are, but most of all, if you feel hungry whilst pregnant, do not deny yourself of it. Lets face it you're nearly half way there, your baby is continually growing and will be using lots of what your consuming to grow and be healthy. Your right about your sensitivity levels tho, try to shrug it off or give a quick whitty answer such as 'You never know, I could be....' and wink (in reply to her 'you're not eating for 3') Your deffinately not eating too much, enjoy your pregnancy and most of all eat when your hungry seeing as though your diet is healthy. I know many people who were consuming way more. One lass I knew, who was expecting at age 35 was eating a freshly baked baguette for breaky, at 10am she ate dried fruit and yoghurts at lunch she was eating sandwiches, crisps, cream cakes and biscuits. At 2pm she'd eat a small bag of thorntons chocolates (about 5-6 full on chocolates). She worked from 9:30 - 3:30 and also snacked on sweets such as jelly babies, dolly mixtures etc durring the day too. When I asked what kind of meals she was having at night, she was having the same as everyone else, with a banana split for pudding (with icecream). And 2 slices of toast with jam or marmalade for supper. lol. She went on to have a little boy.

And others think you eat too much? shishhhh, lol!

Answer 9

its good to eat up to 6 to 7 small meals a day as for your colleague , just ignore her, she may not know what its like to be pregnant and want to eat more, cause i have the same prob right now and I'm 18 weeks in, and i have been eating around 6 meals a day and i have not gained any weight to quickly you want to make sure you eat what you need to, so you feel good while your carrying that lil one. so eat on : )

Answer 10

oh she is so jealous because you are having a baby or because you look great for 14 weeks do not let this sad person ruin what should be the best time of your life having a baby , if i was you i start saying well a least I'm pregnant whats your excuse .bit back an have a great pregnancy .an what you are eating is fine i eat well more .