Well, practically everybody has had a food craving, be it something spicy or sweet or any such specific thing, but pregnancy yearnings are a mammoth all their own. Researchers don’t have any record of a particular reason for pregnancy cravings; however, there are a couple of speculations.
While pregnancy cravings are usually portrayed as a dramatic phenomenon, for a lot of pregnant women, they are not a giggling issue. A US study estimated that 50–90% of pregnant women experience specific food cravings (1). Although pregnancy cravings are a frequently seen phenomenon, the underlying reasons for their existence remain mostly unknown. Cravings mostly stem from the hormonal changes that accompany pregnancy. Continue reading to discover the seven most common pregnant cravings and the safety tips you should follow when giving in to these cravings.
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Video Of Top 7 Pregnancy Cravings
List of Top 7 Common Pregnancy Cravings
Pregnant women may start to feel hungry as early as five weeks into their pregnancy. The cravings often reach their highest point in the second trimester and start to drop in the third.
Here, we present the seven most common pregnancy cravings, be they spicy or sweet cravings during pregnancy.
1. Chocolate
Chocolate is one of the most common pregnancy cravings among women (2). Pregnant women can benefit from the flavonoids present in cocoa nuts, the raw material for chocolate. Flavonoids are beneficial to the immune system. In other words, the more you crave chocolate, the more flavonoids you consume. Even if it sounds like a wonderful idea, pregnant women should limit their consumption of chocolate.
Pros
- Rich in antioxidants. Hence, it may help with immunity.
- It helps boost energy
- It helps reduce stress
- Reduce the risk of preeclampsia
Cons
- Chocolate contains caffeine. Excessive caffeine intake during pregnancy may result in unfavorable outcomes, like miscarriage (3).
- Chocolate contains a lot of sugar. During pregnancy, sugar can cause weight gain and other health complications.
- When consumed in large quantities, chocolate’s high sugar and fat content can put a strain on the digestive system. Overconsumption of chocolate can cause nausea and vomiting. Therefore, moderation is key.
Points to Note While Eating Chocolate During Pregnancy
- It is best to consume dark chocolate during pregnancy owing to its low sugar content. Also, dark chocolate is an excellent source of magnesium and iron (4).
- The proportion of cocoa in chocolate determines its health advantages; the greater the cocoa content, the more beneficial it is for both mother and unborn child.
- If you have acid reflux, you should avoid chocolate.
[Read: 6 Amazing Reasons Why Women Need To Eat Chocolates During Pregnancy]
2. Fries and Chips
Craving fries and other salty foods out of nowhere might baffle you and others around you. During pregnancy, the amount of fluid in your body increases, and blood plasma increases by 30%–50% (5). Salt plays a vital role in regulating the balance of fluids in the body. Looking at the nutritional profile of fries and chips, moderation while eating is the best approach. This is because one mostly craves them in frozen or deep-fried form, or from a fast food restaurant.
Pros
- Packed with carbohydrates.
- Provides protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Rich in salt. It helps you meet the daily 2,300 milligrams of sodium intake per day (6).
Cons
- Excessive consumption may cause nutritional deficiencies as one may replace some healthy food with fries and chips.
- The sodium content in fries or chips, if provided to the body unrestrictedly, can lead to high blood pressure. It may eventually cause pre-eclampsia (7).
- Frying starchy foods, such as potatoes, can create toxins in them, potentially leading to cancer when taken in large quantities.
Points To Note While Eating Fries and Chips During Pregnancy
A healthy alternative to the usual fries and chips would be homemade ones. It’s better if you use sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes.
How the fries are made can either make you healthy or leave you with hospital visits. It is a notable fact that air-fried and oven-baked cooking is better than deep-fried cooking in oil. You’ll consume much less fat.
3. Spicy Food
The words of several pregnant mothers unite to say that cravings for spicy food were the first ones they had. Such cravings are the result of hormonal rushes and changes in the taste buds. Answering all your cravings for strong flavors isn’t healthy for you. Introduce some spicy cuisines into your diet gradually. Further research has unveiled a very interesting link between a pregnant mother eating foods of certain flavors and the baby later showing preferences for them.
Pros
- It helps a baby’s taste buds get acquainted with a variety of flavors
- Aids in relieving congestion and sinus problems because spicy foods help clean nasal passages
Cons
- May cause heartburn and indigestion (8)
- Nausea, diarrhea, gas, and other types of gastrointestinal problems
- Spicy foods can increase your body temperature and it is risky for the fetus
Points To Note While Eating Spicy Food during Pregnancy
- Due to the radical change in hormonal levels, you find yourself searching all over the kitchen for some strong flavors.
- Remember, your cravings are the followers of your hormones, so they may change from week to week.
- Staying within a boundary of feeling well, eat whatever healthy spicy food you like, such as curry, or any vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. You shouldn’t consume anything that makes you feel unwell.
4. Lemon
Craving sour foods like lemon is one of the most basic pregnancy cravings. Satisfying your yearning for a sour taste in your tongue through lemon juice is the ideal way. It will energize your body and mind and help you swiftly go through your day.
Pros
- Vitamin C in sour foods is one of the important contributors to developing the baby’s connective tissues (9).
- It helps you deal with nausea and loss of appetite
- It keeps you hydrated in a healthy way.
Cons
- Sour food, when taken in the form of sour candies, negatively affects the blood sugar levels
- It gives rise to dental erosion if adequate hygiene is not maintained, for instance, by rinsing the mouth with water
- Can cause heartburn or acid reflux
Points To Note While Eating Sour Food During Pregnancy
- Move your eyeballs toward the natural sources of sour taste, like lemons, oranges, and berries.
- One thing is that you’ll satisfy your cravings in the best possible way. Another is that you and your little one in your belly will benefit from the essential nutrients and vitamins present in them.
5. Ice-cream
Keeping the clichés aside, craving ice cream is very common in the pregnant camp. It would be alright to simply give in to the temptation and empty the ice cream cups. But during pregnancy, you are ‘eating for two’. Accordingly, you’ll have to be cautious while eating ice cream.
Pros
- The delightful flavors of ice cream uplift one’s mood and provide relief in warmer months
- Supplies the mother and the fetus with a good amount of calcium (10)
Cons
- Eating lots of ice cream leads to weight gain and poses a risk of developing gestational diabetes (11)
- It is not a good way to satisfy cravings for lactose-intolerant people. Lactose-free ice cream would be a better alternative for them.
Points To Note While Eating Ice Cream during Pregnancy
- You may purchase ice cream from a local grocery store. However, avoid ice creams with caffeine in them. You might already be getting caffeine through coffee.
- Furthermore, don’t skip dinner in your attempt to satisfy your pregnancy cravings first. A balanced diet is a must-have for positive pregnancy outcomes.
[Read: Ice Cream During Pregnancy]
6. Coffee
Some ladies love coffee, while others feel like throwing up just from the smell of it. The dependence on coffee that most people have developed, be it a pregnant woman or a person on any other day, cannot be overlooked. Studies suggest that drinking more than a few cups of coffee a day makes a miscarriage more likely to occur (12).
Pros
- Heightened alertness and ability to manage pregnancy-related fatigue and tiredness
- It might help decrease water retention in the body, a common distress during pregnancy
- The antioxidants in coffee protect your cells from free radical damage
Cons
- It pressurizes the liver, which is already occupied with the management of increased hormones in the body
- Limit blood flow to the placenta (responsible for supplying nutrients to the fetus).
Points To Note While Drinking Coffee During Pregnancy
- Never drink more than an eleven-ounce mug of espresso in a single day. It is equivalent to 200 milligrams of coffee, which is the safe limit of coffee consumption for an expecting mother.
- Coffee shouldn’t be taken during the evening hours, as its effects may still linger around during bedtime.
[Read: Is it Safe to Take Caffeine During Pregnancy?]
7. Ice
It is the coolest craving of pregnancy. The temptation to crunch on ice is called ‘pagophagia’, and is completely normal in expecting mothers. Crunching on ice may become a woman’s favorite pastime while pregnant due to hormonal changes.
Pros
- It provides a soothing feeling and helps to cope with morning sickness
- The cooling sensation of ice cubes relaxes a mother from hot flashes that she experiences because of high body temperature while pregnant
Cons
- Sore throat
- It can cause choking if the ice cubes are too large
- This can lead to tooth enamel damage or dental fractures
Points To Note While Crunching on Ice Cubes During Pregnancy
- Don’t consume the ice cubes right away after taking them out of the refrigerator; let them melt a little. It’s better if consumed like this, especially if you’re temperature-sensitive.
- If you find yourself searching for ice cubes multiple times a day, consult with your healthcare provider.
There is something so fresh about it that some pregnant ladies can’t get enough. As long as the pregnancy craving is being limited, it’s fine, but care should be taken. Her medical care professional should do regular checkups; they will assist her in deciding whether she needs an extra supplement to remain healthy and have as sound a pregnancy as could be expected under the circumstances. This will likewise help to get birth going as quickly as possible.
FAQ’s
1. Are Pregnancy Cravings Real?
Many women actually have pregnancy cravings during their pregnancies. On occasion, one could get desires for everyday things like dosa, some snacks, chocolate cake, or apples. Additionally, it has been observed that pregnant women may crave strange food combinations or items they ordinarily detest.
2. What Happens If You Don’t Eat Your Pregnancy Cravings?
As long as you’re eating a good, balanced diet, there is no evidence to suggest that not addressing pregnancy cravings could be harmful to you or your unborn child.
3. What Can I Eat Hungry At Midnight While Pregnant?
If you have a hankering for a midnight snack, consider something nutritious that will also fulfill your hunger. Choose a grain-and-dairy snack that is light, such as crackers with low-fat cheese and fruit or low-fat yogurt with toast and a healthy spread. Wait an hour before sleeping. These pregnancy-friendly foods digest rapidly, allowing you and your stomach to relax.
Reference
- Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4172095/]
- Nutritional and clinical associations of food cravings in pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5054961/]
- Impacts of Caffeine during Pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7035149/]
- Mineral essential elements for nutrition in different chocolate products [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27346251/]
- Physiological changes in pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4928162/]
- Sodium in Your Diet – [https://www.fda.gov/food/nutrition-education-resources-materials/sodium-your-diet]
- Salinity in Drinking Water and the Risk of (Pre)Eclampsia and Gestational Hypertension in Coastal Bangladesh: A Case-Control Study – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4182542/]
- Heartburn in pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4562453/]
- A Systematic Review on the Role of Vitamin C in Tissue Healing – [ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9405326/]
- Calcium Absorption from Fortified Ice Cream Formulations Compared with Calcium Absorption from Milk – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2832736/]
- Pre-Gestational Consumption of Ultra-Processed Foods and Risk of Gestational Diabetes in a Mediterranean Cohort. The SUN Project – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8308322/]
- Coffee and pregnancy – [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1804190/]
Read Also: Top 8 Ways To Deal With Food Cravings During Pregnancy
