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Women With Severe Pregnancy Sickness Eat Half Their Calorie Needs

A cross-sectional study finds women with severe pregnancy sickness take in roughly half their calorie and fluid needs, tracking with worse symptoms.

By Dr. Axe Editorial Team · October 16, 2026 · 1 source · Watch

Photo: Pexels

Women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum, the severe form of pregnancy nausea and vomiting, consumed roughly half their estimated daily calorie needs, according to a study published October 15, 2026 in the British Journal of Nutrition.

1,050 vs 2,057kcal/day

1,196 vs 2,300mL fluid

36women studied

Researchers recruited 36 women diagnosed with Hyperemesis Gravidarum at a day assessment unit in a large Dublin maternity hospital between March 2021 and January 2022. Each woman completed a 24-hour food and fluid diary, compared against standard pregnancy nutrient requirements. Median energy intake was 1,050 kcal (interquartile range 481 to 1,461) versus an estimated requirement of 2,057 kcal (interquartile range 1,978 to 2,332). Median fluid intake was 1,196 mL (interquartile range 778 to 2,081) versus a 2,300 mL requirement. Both gaps were statistically significant. In 29 of the women, researchers calculated the relationship between nutrient intake and symptom severity, scored using a standard nausea and vomiting questionnaire. Energy, macronutrients, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, iodine, vitamin D, thiamine and vitamin B12 intakes were each linked to symptom scores, with lower intake tied to worse nausea and vomiting.

Hyperemesis Gravidarum causes vomiting severe enough to disrupt normal eating and drinking, so the body runs on far less fuel and fluid than pregnancy requires. The authors report that women with this condition consume inadequate energy, fluid and essential nutrients, and that poorer intake was linked to more severe nausea and vomiting, pointing to a need for routine nutrition assessments and tailored interventions during pregnancy.

Energy intake vs estimated need in women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum

British Journal of Nutrition, 2026, Sandberg et al.

This cross-sectional study used one day of dietary recall in 36 women, so it shows a link between low intake and symptom severity, not proof that one causes the other; a single day's diary may not reflect typical intake. Funding and conflicts not reported in the abstract.

Dr. Axe’s Take

Severe nausea and vomiting in pregnancy isn't something to push through on willpower, and this study shows how steep the gap gets when a woman manages only half her calorie and fluid needs. My approach for anyone with Hyperemesis Gravidarum is small, frequent intake rather than three meals: bone broth, electrolyte fluids, ginger tea, and tolerated protein like eggs. Ginger has a long history of calming nausea. This is a medical condition, so work with your OB on fluids, electrolytes, and any IV support while testing what actually stays down.

— Dr. Axe

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Study summary

Who: 36 women with Hyperemesis Gravidarum at a Dublin maternity hospital; symptom correlations calculated in 29 of them
Design: Cross-sectional study using 24-hour food and fluid diaries compared with estimated nutrient requirements, March 2021 to January 2022
Dose: Not applicable; dietary intake was observed, not assigned
Primary result: Median energy intake 1,050 kcal/day vs 2,057 kcal/day estimated need; median fluid intake 1,196 mL vs 2,300 mL need
Secondary: Lower intakes of protein, sodium, potassium, calcium, iron, iodine, vitamin D, thiamine and vitamin B12 were linked to higher nausea and vomiting scores
Funding / conflicts: Funding and conflicts not reported in the abstract.
Date: Oct 15, 2026