Between the regular morning sickness and total exhaustion, I can remember feeling so scared when I realized I had not eaten for almost 12 hours when pregnant. We all know the importance of a varied healthy diet during pregnancy, but is it a problem to go 12 hours without eating while pregnant? Let’s look at what you should do if you are struggling to stomach any food, plan on fasting, or have slept in!
Is it Safe to go 12 Hours without Eating While Pregnant?
It is fine to 12 hours without eating while pregnant, if done occasionally. You should make sure you are eating properly on a regular basis, for the betterment of your & your baby’s health.
So many moms want to know is it ok to 12 hours without eating while pregnant, and whatever the reason may be, intermittent fasting can create the risk of not allowing your body to get enough of the high nutrition levels needed to support the healthy growth of your unborn baby and meet your own nutritional needs.
Is it Ok to Not Eat for 12 hours During Pregnancy?
If you have accidentally slept in, or have suddenly realized that you have been not eating for 12 hours while pregnant then the good news is that it isn’t going to cause any serious harm to you or your unborn baby.
But regular terms of fasting or dieting during pregnancy can limit the levels of nutrients that are needed to help your baby grow and develop.
The changes your body will go through during pregnancy is a scary thought to many women, and with so many of us being frightened that any weight gained during pregnancy will never leave, this can lead you to consider diets, intermittent fasting, or even calorie deficits in an attempt to limit the amount of weight gained throughout pregnancy and make the recovery and weight loss process afterward quicker.
Whatever your reason for going long periods of time without eating while you are pregnant, maintaining healthy eating habits and a well-balanced diet is even more important during this time as you can increase the likelihood of a range of problems that can cause health risks to you and your growing baby.
5 Symptoms Of Not Eating Enough During Pregnancy
Is it bad to go 12 hours without eating while pregnant? Now we know that it is not going to create any problems if it’s simply caused by oversleeping or a bout of sickness, but what can happen if you don’t eat enough during your entire pregnancy?
Many women are told that eating too much during pregnancy can create difficulties along the way, but what happens when we don’t eat enough? Here are some of the symptoms that you may not be eating enough during your pregnancy.
1. Weight Gain
If you are scared to gain too much weight during pregnancy then this might lead you to be cautious when it comes to food and try to avoid putting on too many extra pounds. This can be more damaging in the long term as pregnancy is a time where optimal weight gain is considered a healthy sign and anywhere between 15 to 35 pounds is recommended depending on your pre-pregnancy weight.
2. Constipation
Constipation is often one of the symptoms that comes hand in hand with pregnancy and many women don’t consider it to be abnormal, but if you are worried you’re not eating enough during pregnancy then this can leave you vulnerable to constipation as there is insufficient waste product traveling through the digestive tract.
Consuming more fiber-rich foods and cereals is a good way to naturally combat constipation and make you feel fuller for longer too,
3. Dizziness and Fatigue
Of course, some levels of fatigue are to be expected when you’re pregnant, after all, you are growing another human! But if you have extreme fatigue mixed with dizziness then you may not have enough nutrients in your body, especially iron which can be found in red meats and leafy green vegetables.
Try increasing the amount of iron-rich food you are consuming and see if this helps combat your fatigue and dizziness.
4. Constantly Feeling Cold
Not eating enough during your pregnancy can also lead to feelings of being constantly cold as your body has not got enough energy to fuel your metabolism and maintain a good body temperature. Low-calorie intake can cause your core body temperature to fall and affect your temperature regulation, so if you can’t seem to warm up then this could be why.
5. Brittle Nails & Hair Loss
Consuming the right amounts of protein is fundamental in growing your baby’s connective tissue and skin, as well as the regeneration of cells to help them grow. Creating your little ones’ hair and nails needs a large number of nutrients and this means you can suffer if your diet is less than optimal.
If your diet doesn’t have enough protein then you might notice your hair thinning, or your nails feel brittle and break easily as your body is not getting enough of the food it needs to help your baby grow strong and healthy.
Why Am I Not Eating For 12 Hours When Pregnant?
Throughout pregnancy, you will find your appetite shoots from highs to lows as your body goes through so many incredible and tiring physical and mental changes. This si all thanks to your hormones increasing and decreasing. You may be shocked to find your favorite foods are no longer hitting the spot, or you suddenly feel the need to eat an entire jar of pickles with peanut butter!
These are all normal as your physical and mental well-being changes so much, not eating for long periods of time can be caused by a few different things.
‣ Morning Sickness
One of the most commonly discussed early pregnancy symptoms is the dreaded “morning sickness”, but you soon discover that it’s not just the morning when you can get hit by these waves of sickness and reduced appetite.
You may find that sickness and nausea are going to impact your usual eating habits, but try not to worry too much as it will pass! Try eating nutrient-rich foods and snacks to keep you and your baby nourished during this difficult time.
‣ Growing Uterus
You may also find that during your second and third trimester, your uterus will be increasing in size to accommodate your growing baby which can exert pressure on the stomach and create a further loss of appetite, and mixed with the peaking levels of progesterone during this stage, you might also find that constipation will be putting you off from eating anything. This is the time many women avoid eating for 12 hours when pregnant.
The journey you go through during pregnancy will create a whole range of symptoms that will make changes to your body, but this doesn’t mean that you should shy away from your favorite foods.
Wrapping Up
Is it normal to go 12 hours without eating while pregnant? The quick answer is yes it is normal and if done occasionally it is perfectly safe for both you and your baby. Making sure you are consuming the right foods is the best way to give your baby the best start to their life before they are even in your arms!
If you are losing weight or not gaining any throughout your pregnancy, then this is a serious sign you might not be eating enough during your pregnancy and your baby may not be getting enough nutrients, speak to your doctors or healthcare professionals if you are concerned.
More to Read:
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- Can you Eat Rotisserie Chicken when you’re Pregnant?