5 weeks pregnant: baby's development, cravings and your diet

Your pregnancy symptoms in week 5

Pickles and ice cream – all about cravings 

Have you been having cravings? A lot of people develop cravings in pregnancy, but not everyone has them. Read about the 10 most-common pregnancy complaints.

You may also find that you lose interest in some food or drinks you used to enjoy or that you have a more sensitive sense of smell than usual.

What to do in week 5 

Choosing the best nutrition for you and your baby

You might find it hard to believe you are actually pregnant when you haven’t seen a midwife yet, but it’s time to start looking after yourself and your baby. This week we’re looking at food and eating well in pregnancy.

You will probably find that you are hungrier than usual, but you do not need to "eat for 2" – even if you are expecting twins or triplets.

In fact, you won’t need any extra calories until your final trimester. And even at that point, you’ll only need an extra 200 calories a day. If you have morning sickness, eating small meals often may help.

Find out more about how much you should eat during pregnancy.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet in pregnancy will give you more energy and ensure your baby gets all the nutrients they need. It’s also important to drink plenty of water.

“I used to eat a lot of junk food, but when I was pregnant I took healthy snacks to work instead – fruit, yoghurts and almonds – and I drank a lot of water.” 
Nadia

Find out more about managing your weight in pregnancy.

There are some vital supplements in pregnancy. Make sure you take a folic acid supplement to help your baby’s neural tube develop, and vitamin D.

What foods can’t I have during pregnancy?

Trying to remember all the dos and don’ts in pregnancy – like which foods to avoid – isn’t always easy. But try not to worry if you have eaten something that is on the list. Talk to your midwife if you have any concerns.

It’s a good idea to share what foods to avoid with anyone you live with if they prepare food for you.

Read our tips to avoid food poisoning.

What if I’m vegetarian or vegan?

If you’re a vegetarian or vegan, you need to make sure you get enough iron and vitamin B12, which are mainly found in meat and fish, and vitamin D.

Learn more about planning your vegetarian or vegan diet to make sure your developing baby gets enough nutrients.

Cutting down on caffeine

High levels of caffeine have been linked to pregnancy complications. The current NHS guidelines recommend that you should have less than 200mg a day (2 mugs of instant coffee). But recent research suggests that it may be a good idea to try and reduce your intake as much as possible. You could try switching to caffeine-free options such as decaf tea or coffee.

Find out more and use our handy caffeine calculator to see how much caffeine is in your diet.