Just as women have cravings at various stages of their menstrual cycle due to hormones, the same thing happens during pregnancy. The extreme hormonal changes women go through during pregnancy can have a huge impact on taste and smell. But what do we really know about what and why pregnant women crave?
What do food cravings mean?
Some nutritionists and healthcare providers believe that certain cravings are meaningful. Several studies show that pregnant women tend to crave foods that are rich in calories and fat, both of which are also traits of comfort foods. San Francisco midwife and herbalist Cynthia Belew says some food cravings may be worth paying attention to. For example, alternative medicine practitioners believe that a shortage of magnesium can trigger a craving for chocolate. Foods that contain magnesium include whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, and green vegetables such as spinach. A craving for milk might mean you need calcium; a craving for fruit may signal a need for vitamin C. Similarly, a craving for red meat seems like a transparent cry for protein. And the mom in our survey who said she consumed great quantities of peaches may have been responding to her body’s need for beta carotene. One thing we do know is that a woman’s taste preferences change throughout pregnancy and these changes may affect what she chooses to eat.
There are cultural factors at play as well. For example, women in different cultures clearly crave foods based on what’s regionally and culturally available. A study of over 200 pregnant women in Africa found that the most common cravings among the women who craved were meat (23.3%), mangoes (22.7%), yoghurt (20.0%) oranges (20.0%), plantain (15.3%) and soft drinks (13.3%). These are the rates among the cravers, but 60-90% of pregnant women will experience cravings during pregnancy depending on which study you believe. So obviously these are culturally influenced since clearly 23% of pregnant American women don’t crave mangoes. In fact, in the US, the most common pregnancy cravings are for dairy and sweet foods, including chocolate, fruits and juices. Less commonly, pregnant women will crave savory or salty foods such as pickles or pizza.
What to do about your cravings
In the end, the experts we consulted agreed that you should pay attention to your pregnancy cravings – indulging the healthy ones and coming up with alternatives for less healthy cravings. Most things in moderation are fine, but Here are some healthy and satisfying substitutes for unhealthy cravings:
- Instead of ice cream, try sorbet, sherbet, Popsicles, or low-fat frozen yogurt.
- If you’re craving doughnuts or pastries, try whole-grain bagels or toast topped with jam.
- Instead of potato chips, try baked chips, pretzels, or light microwave popcorn.
- If you can’t stop thinking about chocolate, only eat a few squares instead of a whole bar or just have chocolate milk.
- Instead of soda, drink some flavored seltzer or fruit juice mixed with mineral water.
- When you want cakes, cookies, or pie, try low-fat banana or zucchini bread instead.
Unusual Cravings
If you find you crave nonfood items, such as paint chips, laundry starch, or dirt — a condition known as pica — do not indulge, as many of these are potentially toxic to you and your baby. Tell your doctor if you’re having nonfood cravings; in some studies, pica has been linked to nutritional deficiencies.
Source: Parents, Baby Center, The Jumpsuit Way statistics