You might have a variety of pregnancy cravings, from pickles to chocolate to crunchy, spicy or cheesy snacks. But, on the other hand, you might find that your favorite foods repulse you entirely, and the mere thought of your go-to snacks might be enough to make you throw up. What gives, then?
What are pregnancy cravings?
There are a few main ideas about why pregnancy changes our taste buds and makes us want to eat certain foods. Some of the most popular theories are listed below.
Hormone Adjustments
Significant hormonal changes occur during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Imagine PMS multiplied a million times. Pregnancy hormones may alter pregnant cravings, much like when you anticipate your period. In addition, your sensory perception of food, sense of smell, and mood will change the kinds of foods you crave due to hormones.
Sensational Shifts
During pregnancy, many women say they get "bloodhound-like" senses, which means they can smell things from far away and are easily overwhelmed by them. Our cravings for certain foods may change as a result. Foods with overpowering aromas can completely turn people off. On the other hand, foods with pleasant, fragrant smells may also get more attention.
Nutritional Needs are Changing
People who are pregnant need more nutrients like calcium and iron. As a result, you might start to crave foods containing these ingredients. The only problem is that your body might mistake your need for calcium for a craving for a big tub of vanilla ice cream. Consume the ice cream. But remember to include more nutrient-dense sources of the nutrient you are craving in your diet. In terms of calcium, in addition to that well-deserved ice cream, dark leafy greens, almonds, and fish are also excellent sources.
Survival of the fittest
Some of our impulses and aversions are motivated by a desire to keep ourselves and our developing children safe. Many of us, for example, discover that unhealthy or less healthy substances, such as coffee and alcohol, naturally make their way to our lists of aversions. The theory is that eating meat can increase one's risk of bacterial contamination, which causes many of us to lose our taste for it. However, not all pregnant women have these experiences.
A Desire for Comfortability
Many of us yearn for comforting foods like sweets and carbohydrates. Additionally, we might desire childhood favorites that bring us joy and love. Finally, we might crave the foods we typically eat when we're not feeling well or when we experience morning sickness during pregnancy.
Cultural Preferences
One of pregnancy cravings' most intriguing aspects is the culture we grew up in. For instance, American women crave chocolate the most when they have PMS, whereas Japanese women crave rice. The same kinds of patterns apply when it comes to cravings during pregnancy.
When Do Pregnancy Cravings Start?
Some women experience cravings during the first trimester of pregnancy. But because morning sickness, nausea, and vomiting are more likely to happen at that time, the diet is often based more on what sounds good than on what the pregnant person really wants. Many women rely on carbohydrates during the first trimester—for example, dry toast and crackers—but this is distinct from a full-blown pregnancy craving that they can't function without.
The second trimester is when pregnancy cravings start to reach their peak. Cravings can persist past the end of pregnancy but are typically less severe.
Cravings During Pregnancy
Sweet, sour, salty, and spicy foods are the most common cravings during pregnancy.
Salty Foods:
A hypothetical belief says that if you crave salty and spicy foods during your pregnancy, you have a deficiency of sodium in your diet. However, several studies indicate that repeated bouts of sodium depletion may increase sodium intake. Since your blood volume goes up when you're pregnant, this seems like a likely reason why.
It's essential to manage your sodium and potassium intake properly during this change.
French fries, popcorn, various sauces, mixed nuts, and chicken tenders with extra salt are a few foods you might crave while pregnant.
Sweet Cravings:
Pregnant women with a sweet tooth will likely favor chocolate, ice cream, sugary treats, and doughnuts. A study found that mothers with gestational diabetes like sweets more than mothers who don't have the condition. Also, this craving for sweet foods is linked to the rise and fall of hormones during pregnancy. But the research studies that back up this claim need to be updated.
Spicy and hot foods:
Spicy food is on the cravings list, though it is less popular than sweet and salt cravings. For example, you may desire hot wings, curries, and red peppers. Additionally, according to some urban legends, women who expect boys crave spicy food, while those who expect girls prefer sweet foods like chocolate.
Unique and weird combinations craving:
Strange food pairings like pickles with ice cream, sponge cake with tomato sauce, fried eggs with mint sauce, pickles and peanut butter, and tuna with bananas are occasionally desired by pregnant women. Depending on the person, these cravings might or might not be caused by changes in the body during pregnancy. Be watchful.
Cravings for Citrus Foods:
Citrus food cravings include pickles, lemons, limes, vinegar, and wine. A lack of stomach acids may cause a craving for foods with citric acid. By dissolving the food's proteins, stomach acids aid in food sterilization. Additionally, the desire for citrus foods can indicate that your body needs specific vitamins, like vitamin C, in these foods. There are no studies that back up this assertion, though.
Craving For Non-Foods:
Some women have a craving for things other than food. PICA stands for the pathological act of eating non-food items. It is thought to be a dangerous illness that puts the mother-to-be and the baby at risk because it has an unusual appetite. PICA during pregnancy might be a sign of malnutrition or an iron deficiency.
Unhealthy Cravings:
Craving unhealthy foods during pregnancy is often linked to psychological factors. A study at the University of Albany showed that these foods are craved during pregnancy because they are prohibited otherwise. Examples are coffee, alcohol, pizza, potato chips, fast food, and more.
Healthy Cravings:
Some women may crave healthy foods. Foods you would mostly crave are:
- Fruits (apples, pears, grapes, watermelon).
- Vegetables (leafy greens, legumes, garlic).
- Meat (lean ground meat, red meat).
- Seafood (fish, shrimp, crab).
- Juice (orange, lemon, pineapple, grapefruit).
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt).
It is best to include more of these foods in your diet while pregnant.
How to Manage Your Pregnancy Cravings
Giving into pregnancy cravings is acceptable. A small amount of indulgence does not impact overall food consumption. Even though studies have shown that pregnancy cravings can lead to eating more calories, they are not linked to too much weight gain during pregnancy, gestational diabetes, or bad outcomes for babies.
However, some of the most frequently desired foods could be more nutritious. So what should you do if you often dip into the cookie jar or use the drive-through at your neighborhood McDonald's? Here are some things to think about if you find yourself eating unhealthy food often and worry that it might be bad for your health:
Contextual strategies.
Doctors recommend two good ways to stop cravings: getting rid of the foods you want and staying away from places where you might be tempted to eat them.
Psychological strategies.
Most psychological strategies involve keeping yourself busy, but you can also try to think about certain things. For example, you can avoid giving in to food cravings by keeping busy or thinking about the potential effects on your health or the health of your child.
Behavioral strategies.
Eating frequently to prevent hunger, drinking more water, substituting the food you crave with a healthier option, or eating a small amount of the food you crave can work well.
If you have any worries about cravings during pregnancy, especially if you're worried about weight gain or have a passion for foods like alcohol, raw fish, or deli meats, you can always speak to your doctor.
When craving non-food items like soil, clay, pottery, laundry starch, raw rice, flour, or ice, speak about this with your doctor. If you fall into the second group, it could mean that you are iron- or nutrient-deficient, which means you need more testing.
Keep in mind that cravings during pregnancy are common. Even though it's okay to give in to them sometimes, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor if you think they could hurt you or your unborn child.
Moderately treat yourself
Because salty snacks and sour candies are so tasty and easy to get, not all pregnant women want fruits and vegetables. But it's essential to maintain a nutritious, well-balanced diet, especially while pregnant. A healthy diet will not only give your body and your unborn child the nutrients they need, but it will also make it less likely that you will gain too much weight too quickly.
By staying at a healthy weight during pregnancy, you can avoid problems like preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes, and problems with labor and delivery. Try to replace unhealthy cravings for junk food with healthier options like fresh fruit, mild cheese, and yogurt. Moderation is critical, but indulging or splurging is acceptable, according to Little. Limit your sugary foods and beverages, take prenatal vitamins, and drink lots of water.
Overall, cravings and aversions are perfectly normal signs of pregnancy. But make an effort to concentrate on wholesome foods like fruits and vegetables. Even though they may not always have the best sounds, they will be the best for you and your child.
TAGS:second-trimester
