Pregnancy Cravings

You have probably heard about those infamously weird pregnancy cravings like pickles and ice cream, chocolate-covered bacon or potato chips, citrus fruits doused in hot sauce, onions dipped in mustard, and more! Cravings during pregnancy are usual, especially at the end of the first trimester and in the second trimester. While pregnancy cravings are normal and it is fine to treat yourself, over-indulging in your pregnancy cravings list can negatively impact your health. University Park OBGYN is happy to share these tips about recognizing and controlling your pregnancy cravings. 

Also, for more info on the subject, check out our preconception counseling options.

When Do Pregnancy Cravings Start?

Up to 90% of pregnant women experience food cravings, including common pregnancy cravings such as sweet, spicy, and starchy foods, and a declined interest in fruits and vegetables. Aside from your usual carb, spice, and sweet cravings during pregnancy, many women experience strange pregnancy cravings as well, such as pickles and ice cream. Pregnancy cravings typically begin before the first trimester ends, and these top pregnancy cravings include certain textures and flavors. Your pregnancy cravings list may subside in the third trimester, but in the second trimester, the desire for many women to eat certain foods is at its most intense. After birth, many of these strong and strange pregnancy cravings will usually go away entirely. 

Are My Pregnancy Cravings Normal?

Woman Eating a Lot of Sweets While Pregnancy

There is no one answer to why pregnancy cravings occur, but many are completely normal. During pregnancy, your body is ever-changing, meaning your need for certain nutrients will change too, which may be an explanation for your pregnancy cravings list. The fluctuations of hormones can heighten your senses and even change your sense of taste and smell, especially during the first trimester. 

You may even find yourself reaching for foods you disliked before being pregnant! On the other hand, you might develop an aversion towards foods you loved prior to your pregnancy and certain smells, or textures may make you nauseous. Overall, while pregnancy is exciting, this transformation can be very demanding and challenging for many mothers, and food may be a source of familiarity amidst the many changes. 

Unhealthy Pregnancy Cravings

Another concerning and strange pregnancy craving is the desire to eat non-edible items, like chalk, dirt, soap, and otherwise. Women may also get the urge to eat things of no nutritional value, such as cornstarch or flour. This kind of pregnancy craving is called pica and if experienced, be sure to resist eating these and report your cravings to your doctor right away to avoid harm to you and your baby. 

The following foods should never be eaten during pregnancy and are considered health risks for expectant mothers and developing babies:

  • Raw and undercooked meat, eggs, and seafood
  • Unpasteurized milk or food items containing it, including several kinds of cheese
  • Unpasteurized juice
  • Raw vegetable sprouts, including radish and alfalfa 
  • Alcohol
  • Herbal Teas

Controlling Pregnancy Cravings 

When eating for you, depending on which trimester you are in, you typically only need around another 300 to 500 additional calories each day. Even though pregnancy cravings can be strong, it is important to maintain control and not over-indulge in your pregnancy cravings list. It is important while pregnant, and in general, to maintain a balanced and healthy diet and avoid overeating or overindulging. When weight is gained excessively during pregnancy, health risks such as preeclampsia, problems in labor, and gestational diabetes can occur. Let’s discuss how you can control sweet cravings during pregnancy, weird pregnancy cravings, common pregnancy cravings, and more!

Remedies for Pregnancy Cravings

Beautiful Pregnant Woman Relaxing or Sleeping With Tummy Supporting Pillow at Bed.

  1. What does your body really need?
    Many doctors believe that food cravings are symptomatic of craving certain nutrients the body needs, such as sodium or iron. The next time you experience a craving, try to keep this in mind and choose the healthiest option. Think of the texture of the food as well – is it smooth, sweet, hot, crunchy, salty, and so on. This can help you make healthier choices. If you are craving fries and a burger, try eating chicken with spinach instead. If you feel the need to reach for some ice cream, try satiating the craving with some yogurt. A chocolate craving can mean you lack magnesium, so consider beans, nuts, whole grains, and green vegetables.
  2. Do not deprive yourself!
    Many women who typically restrict certain types of foods in their diet, like sweets and carbs, may be more inclined to binge-eat when they become pregnant because they see this as the time to treat themselves. Food restrictions are also associated with heightened cravings for those same foods too. To stop the pregnancy cravings, switch up your dieting approach and try to take the guilt out of the process! 
  3. Be mindful of your portions while eating.
    If you indulge in a craving, be mindful of how much of the food you are eating. Try eating without distractions such as television to make sure you are eating mindfully. When your focus is on the food, and you take the time to check in with yourself, you may find that you only need half of a serving to feel satiated.
  4. Try eating smaller, more frequent meals.
    Skipping meals can make you excessively hungry due to the changes in your blood sugar levels, leading you to crave and eat more food. Try eating smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day to curb this. It helps to carry healthy snacks you can reach for as well to maintain stability in your blood sugar levels. 
  5. Sleep, sleep, and more sleep!
    During pregnancy, your body gets fatigued faster, and sleep deprivation can trigger an increase in appetite and cravings for unhealthy foods. Try getting more sleep during pregnancy to manage fluctuating hormones better. If your pregnancy symptoms affect your sleep schedule, talk to your physician, and they can help get you back on track. 
  6. Create an emotional support system.
    While pregnancy is a beautiful thing, it comes hand in hand with fluctuating hormones that can cause stress, anxiety, and heightened emotions. These feelings can be taxing emotionally, leading many women to turn to food for comfort. If you find that you are turning to food for distraction or as a coping mechanism, try these other methods to manage your emotions:

    • Share your worries or concerns with your partner or another trusted friend or family member. They may not be pregnant, but they can help you work through these feelings together instead of alone. 
    • Try journaling because writing out your emotions can help you to process your emotions and boost your mood. 
    • Partake in a relaxing activity, such as reading a book, watching your favorite movie or show, or taking a bath. 
    • Try working out or taking a walk, as cardiovascular activity is shown to reduce stress hormones and increase endorphins.
    • Look into support groups for other expecting mothers – it can bring comfort to know you are not alone in your experience. 
    • Consider speaking to a therapist, especially if your emotions feel overwhelming. 
  7. Exercise Regularly
    Exercising regularly and partaking in physical activity such as walking can help control your food cravings and decrease your calorie intake. If you did not do intense exercise before becoming pregnant, it is not recommended to begin during pregnancy, however, you can start small and consult your physician about what forms of exercise are safe. 

Care at University Park OBGYN 

Overall, the top priority is to make sure that you maintain a healthy and balanced diet during your pregnancy to support the development of your little one. As long as you are indulging mindfully and safely, it is okay to indulge in your cravings every so often. At University Park OBGYN, we offer services such as preconception counseling, gynecological care, and obstetric care. If you are trying to become pregnant or hope to become pregnant soon, visit our website and give our office a call to set up your preconception counseling appointment today!