• Contact us
• About us
• A-Z topics
• Symptom Checker
• Service Finder
• Linking to us
• Information partners
• Terms of use
• Privacy

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is funded by the Australian Government and operated by Healthdirect Australia.

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby is provided on behalf of the Department of Health

Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information and advice are developed and managed within a rigorous clinical governance framework. This website is certified by the Health On The Net (HON) foundation, the standard for trustworthy health information.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

This information is for your general information and use only and is not intended to be used as medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any medical condition, nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes.

The information is not a substitute for independent professional advice and should not be used as an alternative to professional health care. If you have a particular medical problem, please consult a healthcare professional.

Except as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, this publication or any part of it may not be reproduced, altered, adapted, stored and/or distributed in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Healthdirect Australia.

Support this browser is being discontinued for Pregnancy, Birth and Baby

Support for this browser is being discontinued for this site

• Internet Explorer 11 and lower

We currently support Microsoft Edge, Chrome, Firefox and Safari. For more information, please visit the links below:

• Chrome by Google
• Firefox by Mozilla
• Microsoft Edge
• Safari by Apple

You are welcome to continue browsing this site with this browser. Some features, tools or interaction may not work correctly.

Appetite Loss During Pregnancy: Causes, Symptoms, and Advice

Many women experience appetite loss during pregnancy.

You may occasionally find food unappealing, or you may feel hungry but can’t bring yourself to eat.

If you’re dealing with these symptoms, you may want to know possible reasons for your appetite loss, tips for treating it, and when to see a health professional.

This article explains all you need to know about appetite loss during pregnancy.

It’s normal for your appetite to fluctuate, especially as your body undergoes numerous changes during pregnancy.

If you lose your appetite, you may experience a general disinterest in all foods or a lack of desire to eat. Keep in mind that appetite loss differs from an aversion to a few specific foods, which is also fairly common during pregnancy.

Several factors may cause appetite loss during pregnancy, such as the following.

Nausea and vomiting

Nausea and vomiting are common during pregnancy, especially during the first trimester — though some women may experience these symptoms throughout their pregnancy (1).

Both mild and extreme cases of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can significantly affect food intake and appetite.

Research has shown that fluctuations in the hormones leptin and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) during pregnancy may lead to decreased appetite and more nausea and vomiting (2).

A study in 2,270 pregnant women demonstrated that among women with moderate or severe nausea and vomiting, 42% and 70% reported a reduced level of food intake in early pregnancy, respectively (3).

If you’re experiencing appetite loss due to nausea and vomiting, try to avoid fatty or spicy foods, drink fluids separately from your meals, and eat small, more frequent meals.

You may more easily tolerate dry, salty snacks like pretzels and crackers, as well as bland foods like baked chicken breast.

However, you may need to see a health professional if you experience more serious cases of nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.

Mental health conditions

Various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression, may affect your appetite.

In fact, pregnant women may be more prone to mental health issues due to various physical and biochemical changes. In particular, depression may lead to altered eating habits, including decreased appetite and a reduced intake of nutrient-dense foods (4, 5).

In a study in 94 pregnant women, 51% of those diagnosed with depression had poor dietary intake, which increased to 71% after 6 months (6).

What’s more, depression during pregnancy is linked to a decreased appetite for healthy foods, an increased appetite for unhealthy foods, and lower intakes of important nutrients like folate, fatty acids, iron, and zinc. This may negatively affect fetal and maternal health (7).

Mental health disorders commonly go undiagnosed during pregnancy due to the shame that some pregnant women feel talking about them. If you’re experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety, it’s important to consult a trusted health professional.

Medications

Certain medications that are safe to use during pregnancy may cause side effects like decreased appetite.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Zoloft and Prozac are sometimes prescribed to pregnant women diagnosed with depression or anxiety (8).

SSRIs can cause decreased appetite. In fact, some pregnant women have reported a complete loss of appetite, early fullness, and weight loss after starting fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression (9, 10).

Olanzapine and buprenorphine are other drugs that may lead to decreased appetite (11, 12).

Disordered eating

Some pregnant women may experience eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia. Experts estimate that the prevalence of disordered eating in pregnant women is 0.6–27.8% (13).

Disordered eating can lead to changes in appetite, a phobia of weight gain, and decreased food intake (14, 15).

If you’re pregnant and have an eating disorder, ask your healthcare provider for treatment options.

Other potential causes

Pregnant women may also experience appetite loss due to medical conditions like tumors, delayed stomach emptying, heartburn, and Addison’s disease (16, 17, 18, 19).

Furthermore, high levels of stress may affect maternal health and cause a loss of appetite (20).

Additionally, pregnancy-related changes to taste and smell, nutrient deficiencies in vitamin B12 and iron, and general discomfort from carrying a baby may cause appetite loss in some pregnant women (21, 22, 23, 24, 25).

summary

Nausea and vomiting are some of the most common causes of appetite loss during pregnancy, though there are numerous other factors.

If you’re experiencing appetite loss, you may wonder how to get your eating back on track.

Foods to prioritize

There are a few foods you can prioritize even if you feel you can’t eat whole meals. These will help ensure adequate nutrient intake for you and your baby.

Many of the following foods are simple to make, small in portion size, filling, and easy on your stomach.

• Protein-rich snacks: hard-boiled eggs, Greek yogurt, roasted chickpeas, cheese and crackers, and sliced chicken, turkey, or ham served cold
• Bland, fiber-packed veggies: sweet potatoes, green beans, baby carrots (steamed or raw), and raw spinach salad
• Sweet, simple bites: fresh berries, oatmeal, dried fruit, and cold dairy products like plain cottage cheese
• Bland grains/starches: quinoa, brown rice, pasta, macaroni and cheese, and baked or mashed potato
• Soup: chicken noodle soup and chicken rice soup
• Liquids: simple broths and healthy smoothies

Other strategies

If your appetite loss is linked to nausea or vomiting, try eating small, more frequent meals, avoiding spicy and fatty foods, and supplementing with ginger and thiamine. If acupuncture is an option for you, it may also help (26).

Severe nausea and vomiting may require different treatment methods, including medications and intravenous (IV) fluids (27).

If you have nutrient deficiencies linked to appetite loss, you may need high-dose supplements to restore normal levels. Any supplements should be prescribed and monitored by a medical professional (24, 25).

You can also consult your healthcare provider for individualized treatment.

summary

If you’re experiencing appetite loss during pregnancy, you should prioritize bland, filling foods that are rich in nutrients.

If you’re experiencing occasional appetite loss or a loss of appetite for specific foods, there’s usually no need to worry as long as you’re consuming enough nutrients on a daily basis.

For example, if you’re eating nutrient-dense meals consistently and your weight gain is appropriate to promote fetal growth, occasional appetite loss should not be a concern.

Additionally, some pregnant women may lose their appetite for specific foods, including highly fragrant foods and meat. Yet, this is a relatively common occurrence and not typically a cause for concern.

However, if you’re regularly skipping meals or lose your appetite for more than a day, you should contact your healthcare provider for advice.

This is because it’s crucial to get enough nutrients to support your health, as well as the health of your growing baby.

Potential complications related to poor intake during pregnancy

Undernutrition can lead to many pregnancy-related complications, including poor fetal growth, low birth weight, and maternal weight loss. It’s also associated with lower mental function and behavioral problems in children (29, 30, 31).

Both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential to sustain a healthy pregnancy.

Pregnant women with chronically poor appetites run a risk of anemia, fetal growth abnormalities, and preterm birth (32, 33).

summary

Chronic appetite loss during pregnancy can lead to undernutrition, which can cause many adverse health effects in both you and your baby.

As your body adjusts to pregnancy, you may find certain foods unappealing or experience a loss of appetite. Sometimes, you can’t bring yourself to eat even if you’re hungry.

Keep in mind that appetite loss is fairly common and often linked to other symptoms like nausea and vomiting. You may find that your appetite fluctuates, which is perfectly normal.

If you lose your appetite but still feel hungry, you can try eating small servings of bland, simple foods that are filling, rich in nutrients, and easy on your stomach.

If you experience chronic or long-lasting appetite loss, consult a health professional.

What not to eat during pregnancy TEA.RU

Pregnancy is a wonderful time when a woman's body needs energy and strength more than ever, as it goes through internal changes. For the easiest passage of this period, the diet of the expectant mother should be complete, varied and balanced - this is the key to a woman's health and the proper development of the fetus.

First trimester

In early pregnancy, the diet can not be changed much, but some foods and dishes should be excluded:

• fast food;
  
• smoked products;
  
• fatty and spicy foods;
  
• canned food;
  
• exotic products;
  
• carbonated drinks;
  
• products containing allergens;
  
• raw eggs;
  
• raw and half-cooked meat;
  
• liver;
  
• sushi;
  
• soft cheeses;
  
• unpasteurized milk and juices.
  

Fish (raw and high in mercury), seafood

You can not eat makaira, swordfish, mackerel, tiled and white tuna. Raw fish may contain bacteria and parasites. Smoked fish should also be avoided.

Unpasteurized soft cheeses

Feta and camembert may contain listeria bacteria as they are made from raw milk. These bacteria, once in the body of the fetus, can cause severe developmental disorders and even miscarriage. If you want to consume these cheeses, then look for a product that says pasteurized on the label (mozzarella, ricotta, cream cheeses, halloumi, processed cheeses).

Unpasteurized milk and juices

Unpasteurized milk and freshly squeezed juices can be contaminated with E. coli, listeria, salmonella bacteria, which are pathogenic and undesirable for pregnant women.

Raw eggs

You should not eat dishes containing raw protein or yolk, or that have not undergone sufficient heat treatment. For example, soft-boiled eggs, sauces, eggnog. During pregnancy, it is better to eat hard-boiled or pasteurized eggs.

Raw and semi-raw meat and poultry

Such meat may also be contaminated with Listeria. Pates and meat spreads should also be temporarily forgotten. Before eating meat dishes, make sure that the meat has been properly cooked.

Fast food and fried foods

This kind of food was not included in the list of strictly prohibited, but it is worth remembering that it can harm the gastrointestinal tract and cause an imbalance in the body, which can negatively affect the general condition of the expectant mother. If during the period of bearing a child, you really want to eat something harmful, try to find a healthy alternative. For example, fry food in a small amount of oil, or better bake. The main thing to remember is that a balanced diet and a healthy diet are the foundation of your health, and therefore the health of your baby.

Caffeine

Too much caffeine can lead to a number of problems:
Sleep disturbance, as this substance increases the reflex excitability of the nervous system.
Anemia - the phenol contained in caffeine does not allow the absorption of iron in the blood, which can adversely affect the body of the mother and child.
Heartburn – coffee is a hydrochloric acid stimulant, so even the weakest drink can increase heartburn.

High sugar foods

A large amount of sugar during pregnancy can lead to active and rapid weight gain, which will put stress on the spine and joints. Calcium will also begin to leach out - this can cause a loss of vitamin B1 and problems with teeth and liver. If there were prerequisites, then excessive consumption of sweets can cause diabetes, digestive disorders in pregnant women.

Late pregnancy

In the last months of pregnancy, the fetus grows rapidly. Therefore, the diet of a pregnant woman should be rich in vitamins, minerals and trace elements. To help the body cope with stress, pregnant women should adhere to the following recommendations:

1. Reduce the amount of spicy, smoked and salty foods.
   
2. Reduce the amount of salt. It retains fluid that causes swelling and stresses the kidneys.
   
3. Exclude semi-prepared and canned foods. They are low in nutrients and contain harmful additives.
   

To make pregnancy an exciting journey, a woman needs to eat healthy and wholesome food. It is necessary to increase the amount of whole grains, meat, poultry and fish. Be sure to include vegetables, fruits, protein and dairy products in your diet. It is useful to consume olive oil and avocado, they are rich in mono- and polyunsaturated fats. During pregnancy, the body needs more calcium, for this reason, you need to increase the intake of milk and dairy products. Almonds, cauliflower and white cabbage can also be an additional source of calcium.

Also, do not forget about the water balance. Water helps prevent dehydration and reduces the risk of fetal harm and premature contractions. It is recommended to drink two liters a day.

8 foods that pregnant women should not eat

June 15, 2019 Likbez Health

Even scrambled eggs and healthy fish oil can do harm.

Share

If you are pregnant, you should reduce the amount of coffee and avoid alcohol altogether. Everyone knows this.

But there are far more insidious foods. At first glance, they seem innocent and even useful. But in fact, they can harm mom or an unborn baby more than a couple of cups of double espresso three times a day.

Here is a list of popular foods to avoid during pregnancy. Or at least think twice before you eat.

1. Raw eggs

As well as products containing them: eggnog, homemade mayonnaise, raw dough, poached eggs, fried eggs with raw yolk, tiramisu.

What is the danger

One word is enough: salmonellosis. This acute intestinal infection is fortunately not fatal, but is accompanied by severe diarrhea and vomiting that can cause dehydration. But this is already bad: the normal blood supply to the fetus and the level of amniotic fluid in the uterus depend on the amount of moisture. Water deficiency can result in violations in the development of the unborn baby, as well as an increased risk of miscarriage.

What to do

If you have no strength to refuse eggs, make sure that they are thoroughly washed and heat-treated. Hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, baked goods are safe.

2. Raw meat

As well as rare fried steaks (“with blood”), raw smoked and cured sausages, poorly fried minced meat, for example, in fast food.

What is the danger

Raw meat can be infected with parasites. For example, Toxoplasma. They are able to penetrate the placental barrier and cause serious disturbances in the development of the unborn baby.

What to do

It's easy to get rid of parasites - cook it properly. If we are talking about dried or smoked products, freezing them for four days will help reduce the risk.

3. Raw fish

Be especially careful with river and wild ocean fish, shellfish (oysters, mussels), dried and smoked fish of all kinds and sushi.

What is the danger

The range of troubles that you can get by eating a roll or dried perch is wide:

• like meat, fish can be infected with parasites;
• in the pulp there are also pathogenic bacteria - for example, listeria or botulinum bacteria, which cause deadly botulism (for mothers as well);
• river fish can be caught in chemically polluted reservoirs - and all toxic substances will go to both mother and baby;
• oceanic fish accumulate mercury. Shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish are especially dangerous in this regard. Mercury poisoning affects the health of both the mother and the unborn baby - this element can cause brain damage and developmental delays.

What to do

Eat only properly cooked fish. You can take a chance with canned food: just keep an eye on the expiration date and in no case use the product from swollen cans.

4. Liver

Liver pate and sausage, cod liver oil.

What is the danger

Too much vitamin A. Its excess can lead to the development of birth defects in the fetus.

What to do

Do not abuse liver products. Especially if for some reason you are taking vitamin A supplements. Yes, and in no case should you prescribe vitamins and supplements for yourself - only your doctor can do this.

5. Soft cheeses

In the area of ​​special attention:

• soft cheeses with white mold - brie and camembert;
• blue cheeses - gorgonzola, roquefort, danish blue.

What is the danger

Due to the high humidity and mold, such cheeses are an ideal environment for the development of all kinds of bacteria, including those dangerous to the fetus. The same listeria, once in the body of a future baby, can provoke severe developmental disorders, miscarriage or stillbirth.

What to do

The ideal option is to switch to hard cheese (cheddar, parmesan, stilton and others): it is safe. Soft cheeses can also be consumed, but only if they are made from pasteurized milk. These are mozzarella, feta, ricotta, cream cheeses, halloumi, processed cheeses.

6. Unpasteurized milk

As well as yogurt and ice cream prepared from it.

What is the danger

All in the same high risk of bacteria content. Unpasteurized milk is a product that has not undergone heat treatment. Therefore, the same listeria, which is deadly for the unborn child, can be found in it.

What to do

Try to drink only pasteurized milk. If for some reason only raw is available, be sure to boil it before drinking.

7. Caffeinated products

In addition to coffee, this includes green tea, chocolate, cola, energy drinks, and some cold and flu medications.

What is the danger

An excess of this substance can cause the baby to have a low birth weight - and this increases the risk of health problems later. Sometimes the abuse of caffeine products provokes a miscarriage.

What to do

You don't have to cut out caffeine completely, you just need to go no more than 200 mg per day. In order not to cross the line, be guided by approximate values:

• 1 cup of instant coffee - 100 mg of caffeine;
• 1 cup espresso - 140 mg;
• 1 cup tea - 75 mg;
• 1 can cola (330 ml) - 40 mg;
• 1 Energy Drink (250 ml) - 80 mg;
• 50 g dark chocolate - up to 25 mg;
• 50 g milk chocolate - up to 10 mg.

Once again, we emphasize: these are approximate figures. But they can be used for calculation. For example, if you drank a cup of espresso in the morning and a can of cola in the middle of the day, you received almost 200 mg of caffeine.

8. Poorly washed vegetables and fruits

As well as berries that grow close to the soil - the same strawberries or currants on the lower branches of the bush. Freshly squeezed juices are also questionable if you do not know how thoroughly you washed the ingredients before cooking.

Learn more

• 
  How to parent a child with trauma
• 
  How long does a cold last in infants
• 
  Cultural birth practices
• 
  Red dots on baby foot
• 
  How much weight should you gain in each trimester
• 
  Stuffy nose pregnant remedy
• 
  Umbilical cord fell off bleeding
• 
  What can u eat when pregnant
• 
  Bowel changes in early pregnancy
• 
  Yellow discharge from eye of newborn
• 
  Dilation cervix diagram