What a pregnant woman craves could have much more significance than just a whimsical need for certain foods. Pregnancy cravings differ from woman to woman. Some women crave sweets and ice cream while others might crave meat and pickles. So why do they crave certain foods or certain tastes? Also, why do some women who love chocolates and sweets suddenly can’t stand the sight of them when pregnant? What causes these likes and dislikes?
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Here are some explanations for what certain food cravings could mean:
1. Sweets
Many pregnant women crave sweets and chocolates. While an occasional craving is fine, if you find yourself constantly craving sweets then it could mean one of three things—shortage of magnesium, drop in the blood sugar level, or a need for more calories. Consult your doctor to know if you need to take in supplements to deal with it.
2. Salty Snacks
Most pregnancy women have a strong craving for salty foods. From chips to pickles, salty food items are a pregnant woman’s must-have snacks. Why is this? It could be because when pregnant, the increased blood volume creates a craving for salt in order to have more sodium in the body. If you’re bingeing on salty snacks, then make sure you have lots of water. This is to avoid any swelling or bloating that might otherwise occur.
3. Fruit
If you’re craving fruit during pregnancy, then yay! How cool is it that you’re pregnancy craving is a healthy bowl of fruits. So what could be the reason behind this craving? Well, it could either be a Vitamin C deficiency or it could just mean that you’re dehydrated and you’re body is supplementing water through fruits. This is one craving you don’t have to worry about. Go ahead and indulge yourself. Although, it is a good idea to check with your doctor to see if you’re short on vitamin C and find out what you should do about it.
4. Meat
There has been many an instance wherein a vegetarian suddenly develops a craving for meat during her pregnancy. This could mean that your body needs protein. Milk, cheese, and eggs are all good sources of protein. But if you’re a meat eater, then you can indulge in some juicy steak to curb your craving.
5. Ice Cream
Another very common craving that pregnant women have is ice cream. Now I’m not sure if this is because they’re body needs calcium or just because ice creams are so yummy and who doesn’t crave them? So go ahead and indulge in ice creams, just don’t go overboard with it. You can also have some flavoured frozen yogurt instead, as a more healthy option.
6. Sour Foods
Sour food cravings are quite common during the second and third trimester. The acid in sour fruits actually helps the body better absorb calcium, as well as aiding in bone growth and blood production. This explains the craving for raw mangoes and citrusy fruits.
7. Pica
Pica is characterized by a craving for non-food items. So if you are pregnant and suddenly develop a craving for toothpaste, then you are experiencing pica. Needless to say, do not give in to your craving. Get in touch with your doctor to figure out the why and how to deal with it. There are no hard facts as to why such cravings occur. One theory is that it might be the body’s need for minerals that are not available from food sources. Another theory states that it is a result of the body’s need to reduce acid reflux and heartburn.
Pregnancy cravings are strong and sometimes seemingly insatiable. Well now you know why. It’s your body’s way of ensuring you get what you need. So if you’re low on protein, you might have a strong craving for meat. While it is completely fine to indulge in your cravings to an extent, if you feel your craving’s getting out of hand, you should go talk to your doctor. Your doctor will be able to shed light on why your body is craving that particular food and what supplements, if any, you should take to counteract it.
Pregnancy is a time when so many things change in our body. So it is only natural that our food likes and dislikes go for a toss. Embrace your cravings, as long as they are not dangerous to you or the baby, a little indulgence won’t hurt. There’s a saying that goes, don’t come in between a pregnant woman and her craving.
Amen to that!