Do you hate your favorite foods during pregnancy? (Food Aversion) Let's talk about this!

You've probably heard of the strange cravings that come with pregnancy. Some people crave pickles and ice cream for dinner, others crave watermelon, and others can't live without a packet of chips. You've probably experienced these before. But there's another side to this story that no one talks about much. That morning cup of coffee that you used to love before you got pregnant is now hard to find. Not only that, but the smell can be so unpleasant that you can't even go near a coffee shop.

What is Food Aversion?

Simply put, during pregnancy, about half of all mothers find themselves averse to one or more foods they used to enjoy. Suddenly, they can't even put that food in their mouth. This is what we call ``Food Aversion .''

Imagine, if the smell of your favorite lentil soup suddenly made you feel sick to your stomach? That's what it's like. This often comes with ``morning sickness'' or morning sickness. Both of these conditions often start at the same time, that is, in the first trimester of pregnancy .

These food aversions and cravings are at their peak during the first half of pregnancy , but can sometimes persist throughout the 9 months, and sometimes even for a while after the baby is born. They can also disappear and reappear.

Why is this really happening?

To be honest, the exact cause of this is still unknown, but doctors believe that the main character in this story is the hormonal changes that occur in your body.

The influence of hormones

The main suspect is a hormone called HCG (Human Chorionic Gonadotropin), which is secreted during pregnancy. This hormone is what is used to detect whether you are pregnant when you take a urine test.

Also, your sense of smell and taste increases dramatically during pregnancy. This is also due to hormonal changes. What used to be a normal smell to you may now be so strong that it makes you dizzy.

Some mothers experience a metallic taste in their mouth. This is also a change in saliva due to hormonal changes. This taste can cause a complete loss of appetite.

Is it a defense mechanism of the body?

Other experts believe that this food aversion is not just a side effect of hormones . It may be a defense mechanism used by the body to protect both mother and baby .

Imagine how useful it would be if you could quickly detect the smell of food that's about to go bad. It could also be your body's attempt to keep you away from foods that contain germs or chemicals that could be harmful to your baby's development.

Further evidence to support this view is that research has shown that mothers with ``morning sickness'' have a lower risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.

Will this harm the baby or you?

This is the biggest fear many mothers have. But in reality, it is very rare for a mother or baby to be harmed by a dislike of this food .

The main thing is to be careful about whether you are missing out on essential nutrients because you don't like these foods. For example, if you can't eat meat at all, you may not get enough iron. If you can't eat fish, you may miss out on nutrients like omega-3s, which are essential for your baby's brain development.

But don't worry. There are solutions to all of this. When you talk to your doctor , he or she will recommend suitable dietary alternatives or, if necessary, nutritional supplements. For example, things like iron tablets or fish oil supplements.

So what should we do?

The first and most important piece of advice is to listen to your body.

If your body is rejecting a certain food, there is a reason for it. So respect that. Our main goal during this time should be to somehow provide the body with the calories it needs. Just eating a slice of bread or a biscuit to get energy is much better than not eating anything.

Here are some things you can do:

• Find alternatives: If you can't eat meat, try eating legumes like chickpeas, peas, green beans, eggs (if possible), and cheese instead.
• Reduce spicy and oily foods: Instead of spicy and oily foods, focus on things like boiled vegetables, soups, yogurt, and fresh fruits.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink small amounts of water throughout the day. Also, things like fresh fruit juice (with less sugar) and lemon water are good.
• Try cold foods: Sometimes the smell of hot food makes you feel nauseous. So, try eating things like a cold salad, yogurt, or fruit.
• Seek medical advice: If you are concerned that you are not getting the nutrition you need, be sure to talk to your doctor. He or she will give you the best advice based on your situation.

Remember, this is not something you're alone in facing. This is very common and normal during pregnancy. Even though this time may be a little difficult, it's temporary.

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