Cravings for sweet, salty, sour, and spicy foods can manifest themselves in a variety of ways during pregnancy. While some cravings may indicate a nutritional requirement, many others can be attributed to the increased levels of hormones coursing through your body during pregnancy. Check out our list of pregnancy cravings to get the inside scoop on what are the most common pregnancy cravings.
#1 Eggs
Eggs are a fantastic source of protein, and they can be eaten in many different ways. They are one of the most common, nutritious pregnancy craving foods. Just keep this in mind that you need to cook the yolk and white thoroughly to reduce the risk of salmonella.
#2 Cheese
Although eating cheese in excess can lead to excessive weight gain, it doesn’t mean that it is a bad food. You can make a number of delicacies with cheese that are equally healthy and tasty.
During pregnancy it might be the body’s need for calcium that causes craving for cheese. In order to balance the cravings, eat more calcium rich veggies including leafy greens and broccoli which are highly beneficial.
#3 Bacon
Bacon is a good craveworthy food, because it is rich in both protein and fat which increases healthy fat.
#4 Lemons
Craving for sour foods is more prevalent in the second and third trimester. Some people believe that cravings for sour foods in pregnant women is the body’s natural way to get a more varied diet and lemons satiate that craving.
#5 Ice Cream
Ice Cream contains high calcium in it. It can be the calcium in ice cream, or the increased heartbeat of the mother during pregnancy that draws them towards cooler food like ice cream.
One can switch to chocolate milk, sherbet, or low fat yogurt, if they are consuming ice-cream in excess. In pregnant women these high calorie foods help to support transforming the body.
#6 Fruit
It is believed that a pregnant woman craves for fruit, when the body needs Vitamin C. Craving for fruit is a good craving, and a signal that the body needs some natural and healthy food in the diet. It is preferred to go for fresh fruit than canned food that contains more sugar in them than fresh fruits.
#7 Seaw.eed
Iodine is important for the production of hormones that are involved in the development of the foetal brain and nervous system. When a pregnant woman has a deficiency or lacks iodine, then they crave for seawe,ed.
Seawee,d including the green, red and brown are rich in iodine, and also contains vitamin B12.
#8 Pica Cravings
Pica cravings occur when a pregnant woman craves things that have little to no nutritional value. Often, these cravings are for non-food substances. There are no confirmed causes of this, but some people speculate it is connected with an iron deficiency or underlying illnesses. This is quite rare for pregnant women to have, but it still happens.
Some examples of things you may crave are:
- Dirt
- Clay
- Laundry starch
- Stones
- Charcoal
- Ice
- Cornstarch
- Toothpaste
- Soap
- Sand
- Plaster
- Coffee grounds
- Baking soda
Eating any of these can pose a risk to you and to your growing baby. Talk to your doctor if you find yourself craving any non-food items.
How to control food cravings during pregnancy?
Pregnancy cravings can be avoided by eating a healthy diet that is well-balanced. In the first trimester of pregnancy, morning sickness and increased nausea can be particularly difficult for many women.
To ensure that you have enough energy and strength, you should eat only what you can keep down. Focusing on small, nutritious meals and snacks throughout the day can be useful, as well as eating breakfast. When morning sickness subsides, typically around the beginning of the second trimester, it’s perfectly acceptable to indulge in your cravings.
Having these things in moderation is essential. Ice cream cravings can be a sign that your body requires more calcium. Have some ice cream, but also think about what other calcium-rich dairy products with healthy fats you might be able to get away with.
A good way to deal with unhealthy food cravings is to find a healthy distraction. There are many ways pregnant women can cope with cravings, such as going for a long walk or doing some prenatal yoga stretches. Any effort to improve one’s health and well-being can help alleviate food cravings and boost one’s sense of well-being.