Postpartum Hunger?

[Jennah_Gole]

Ever since i had the baby my appetite has been voracious and I can't seem to control what I eat...its anything and everything...i have gotten already lots of guests and they have to bring lots of sweets with them and i cant keep my hands off of anything.

Its truly out of control and yes I am tandem nursing so it could be because of that but I wish I could just slow down I am sure i am going to gain alot of weight this way...and I am already way overweight....any suggestions?

[organic-momma]

None from me, I'm in the same boat! I thought it was bad when I was pregnant but now I'm waking up twice during the night to eat. It's crazy!

[Dov'sMom]

Sorry, no suggestions. I'm morbidly obese, and last time the week after I gave birth was the first time in my life I had zero interest in eating! I kept forcing myself to eat high calorie foods because I was nervous about milk...

[Surfacing]

Eating high protein foods (nuts, legumes, beans, meat, dairy), whole grains, fruit and veg, and healthy fats (like the ones in nuts, butter, olive oil, omega 3's, coconut oil) would be helpful for prolonged, sustained energy instead of this rollercoaster of up and down with blood sugar. It doesn't help when your support people or visitors are bringing the yummy sweets! Perhaps you could ask them to fix you a sandwich or pop some chicken in the oven or something. : Just some suggestions, dunno if they'd be helpful.

Or you could just say, to heck with it! You have lots of time to lose the weight later.

Enjoy your babymoon!

[LynnE73]

If your mind is saying you want sugar, your body needs you to eat protein! You know sugar is just total junk and not supplying any nutrients at all. It will take about 3 days to break yourself from absolutely dying for it. During this time, increase your water intake and if you must have something sweet, have fresh fruit!

Hope that helps!

Warmly,
Lynn

[leafwood]

I'm having a similar appetite increase which I am attributing to BF plus all the extra room to actually enjoy food again without heartburn! My aim has been to have 3 healthy meals this way if I crave a sweet snack it's not such a big deal. Breakfasts have been eggs, OJ and whole wheat toast, lunch has been salad with grilled chicken and some cheese with fruit and dinner has been macaroni or more chicken....and cereal with banana can be a meal anytime for me!

My "craving" has been for sweet creamy stuff so I've gone with rice pudding which has some protien and is low in fat. I am planning to make some with brown rice this weekend. I also am trying to keep tons of fruit around despite the season. I want melons so I am spending $4 for a melon and not questioning it!

I am noticing that I am starving at night during feedings and unfortunately have been reaching for saltines which have no nutritional value. I have to find a better snack. I'm thinking of some dry O's cereal so at least there's fiber involved. I'm giving myself 2 weeks to adjust and then will revisit my diet more seriously to make sure I'm on track and not putting on pounds. For now, plan on splurging a bit. We've worked hard over the past 40 wks!

[zenma]

i'm SUPER hungry too, i understand!

as mentioned above, i'm also aiming to eat really well for three meals, and allowing indulgences for some of my snacks. fruit, cheese and crackers are my go-to snacks to keep me away from too many refined sweets. when i was breastfeeding dd early on i remember gobbling my food very quickly, because i was always starving, so my big goal this time is to slow down and consume whatever i'm eating thoughtfully, no matter how hungry i am. it's a challenge, i'm like a wild animal these days, but it does help me recognize what my body really wants and what it really doesn't.

[ollineeba]

I remember my crazy appetite after I had my second baby. She was nursing around the clock and I was just starving! Remarkably, I didn't gain any weight but it felt like I was eating all the time.. and drinking gallons of water.