Waking up starving in the middle of the night

Rubicorn · October 2015

I'm over 6 weeks pregnant and I keep waking up in the middle of the night feeling so hungry. To the point where I'm struggling to get back to sleep and then waking again a couple of hours later. I don't have a desire to eat anything in particular but the hunger pains are overwhelming. Does anyone have any suggestions on what to either eat just before I go to bed or what's a good snack during the night? And is anyone else experiencing this? It's my first pregnancy so not sure what to expect.

Kurrant · October 2015

I was experiencing this as well. I started having things like rice cakes or toast before bed as they tend to expand and keep me feeling satisfied through till morning. I do however still get mega hungry if I wake up and can't get to sleep fast enough. I keep some crackers on my bedside table for midnight munching or morning queasiness.

hellogoodbye2 · October 2015

Hey it's 5am and I'm starving too! This just started about a week ago (around 7w). I need to try and eat something small before bed. Toast is a good suggestion.

yogahh · October 2015

Me too! I haven't caved and eaten anything when it happens, but I am eating the second I get up in the morning now. Normally I wait about 2 hours to eat breakfast but that's not happening anymore. Like pp suggestion of having something small like a rice cake. Might try that tonightt

chottomotto · October 2015

I wake up at 4am like clockwork and have a small bowl of healthy cereal. It's been the same with all my pregnancies. Probably because my morning sickness is bad and I usually don't get enough calories during the day.

LadySamLady · October 2015

I keep saltines in my bedside table and eat 3 when I wake up starving between 4-5 am. Sometimes I'll have a plain eggo waffle, if I have the energy to get out of bed. It is a pain but my nausea is so much worse if I don't.

saladflambe · October 2015

This happens to me when my blood sugar crashes, which happens when I'm eating high carb.

You likely do not need anything big: keep a granola bar or something similar on your bed stand and eat that.

If it's your blood sugar, that will be enough to bring it back up and settle the intense hunger.

baggins1118 · October 2015

Me too!!! I'm keeping wheat thins by my bed so I can snack. It's crazy lol

TheThornBird · October 2015

I've found eating protein helps me with both my hunger and nausea. I eat 5 small meals every 3 hours, each with a serving of protein, carbs, and healthy fat. Right before bed I have a small protein shake, which seems to make me feel better in the AM (less hungry and nauseous). It's also helped me to avoid sugary/junk food, it messes with my blood sugar too much.

Good luck!

beff12 · October 2015

I usually keep crackers or pretzels on my night stand in case I wake up feeling queasy. I woke up starving a couple nights ago and managed to fall back asleep, but I feel your pain! Maybe eating a little bit of protein before bed might help - a piece of meat or hard boiled egg or something. I know it's kind of a no no but I will grab a piece of lunch meat if I feel like I'm crashing, or a piece of cheese.

josie12367 · October 2015

I keep a banana on my nightstand. A granola bar wrapper wakes DH up, as does the munching on crackers...lol.

chottomotto · October 2015

So are you guys eating in bed and not brushing your teeth?! 8-X

FireInWonderland · October 2015

chottomotto said:
So are you guys eating in bed and not brushing your teeth?! 8-X

Yes. I highly doubt anyone gets out of bed to brush their teeth after the midnight snack.

OP personally, you'll have to find whatever works for you. You could keep a jar of peanut butter next to the bed and eat a spoonful. That's what I did last week. One spoonful did the trick. Sounds strange, but it's whatever your body needs. If you're willing to get out of bed it opens up your options.

BreezieBre · October 2015

Nature Valley Granola bar and a bottle of water is a beside must. I wake at 3:30am. Needing to pee, then being awake activates the hunger.

Turtle37 · October 2015

I have tried peanut butter on crackers right before bed

Rubicorn · October 2015

Sorry for the mega late reply but thanks for all your suggestions ☺

shannonohagan17 · October 2015

I'm so glad I'm not the only one that wakes up in the middle of the night starving!!! I say middle of the night (12am) ..I've been asleep 4 hours by then usually

aeandnmp · October 2015

I am hungry ALL THE TIME! Haha, I know we aren't really supposed to eat for two (since the baby is only the size of a blueberry...awwww), but I am that hungry. I keep a granola bar by my bed. But protein seems best for keeping me full and killing the queazies in general.

mrszoess · October 2015

I agree with the peanut butter and crackers. that's probably my favorite food right now lol

AMPowell0403 · October 2015

@Rubicorn I am going through the same thing. Crackers and carbs will burn fast. For me, cottage cheese works and even a few string cheeses. Try a food packed with protein. It keeps me asleep the rest of the night.

beenabee · October 2015

Oh gosh it's terrible. I go to bed between 9:30-10:30 and wake up around 1:00-2:00 AM from having to pee so bad and then I'm usually so hungry I can't go back to sleep. The first time that happened I grabbed a cookie and was eating it in bed with my flashlight on my phone on so I didn't wake DH... he ended up waking up anyways and giving me the weirdest look lol! Now he's used to it.

rtcampbell · October 2015

Yes I totally understand... I've gained over 12lbs in this trimester dated in September. I would wake up every morning at 2am to eat a huge meal if I ate something small I would be crazy in the morning with starvation well that's how it felt. I go to bed around 830/900 so I try to keep a muffin close by so I can snack on when I have to go to the bath room so at 2 Im not that hungry and by morning I can just eat cereal then a apple on the way to work... My last appt I weigh 150. Hope this helps my next appt is October 26. My starting weight was 138

LadySamLady · October 2015

I'm in my 12th week now and no longer have to eat before getting out of bed. I can actually make it to 8 o'clock before I get the I NEED FOOD feeling. If we go to the dog park, which we do at 6 AM 5 days a week, I take a plain eggo with me just in case.

mrszoess · October 2015

as of late I have also been waking up at 3am nauseous and ravenous...the only thing I could find in the dark with no prep needed was entenmans donuts...I've had half every night for days....it works and I can sleep. I'll take it.

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