Husband doesn't understand pregnancy hunger? Here is why she is always hungry.

▸For him: why she is hungrier

Pregnancy makes most women hungrier than usual. The NHS is clear that she still does not need to eat for two, even with twins, so this is not about portions. It is about timing: smaller amounts, more often. [NHS]

ACOG advice for nausea is to keep her stomach from ever being empty: five or six mini meals a day, and dry toast or crackers before she gets out of bed. [ACOG]

Her sense of smell sharpens, and new likes and dislikes for food and drink are common early symptoms. A food she loved last month can suddenly be impossible, and foods or smells that never bothered her can now set off nausea. [NHS · ACOG]

▸For him: what it feels like from her side

When she says she needs to eat now, take it literally: now, not after the next errand. Keeping her stomach from going empty is part of keeping nausea down, not a lack of willpower.

The NHS suggests healthier snacks between meals, such as small sandwiches, vegetable sticks, yoghurt, soup or baked beans on toast, over sweets, crisps and biscuits. Having those ready is a real help. [NHS]

▸For him: what to do about it

If nausea is the bigger problem, send him morning sickness, explained for him.

Three things to do tonight

1. Stock her side of the sofa and the bedside with plain snacks and water, and refill them before she asks.
2. Keep a snack and a bottle of water in the car and in her bag, so hunger never catches her out on the way somewhere.
3. If a smell bothers her, it goes: cook it when she is out, open a window, or skip it this week.