Have you ever suddenly felt a craving for mangoes or a type of pickle that you have never had before while you were expecting a baby? It is normal to have these strange food cravings sometimes. Many mothers have experienced this. Among us, this is also called "pregnancy cravings". So today, let's talk about these cravings, or what is medically called `( pregnancy cravings )`.
Why do these food cravings really occur?
Surprisingly, researchers still haven't figured out exactly what causes these food cravings during pregnancy. But there are two main theories that seem to play a role.
1. Hormonal Changes: During pregnancy, your body's hormone levels, such as estrogen and progesterone, fluctuate rapidly. These hormonal changes can greatly affect your sense of taste and smell. It is thought that these hormones can cause foods you used to enjoy to become unpleasant, and you may even crave foods you never thought you would eat.
2. Nutrient Deficiencies : Another theory is that when the body is deficient in a certain nutrient, the brain sends a signal to eat a food that can provide it.
Simply put, imagine that you constantly crave ice cream. Some people think that it's because you don't have enough calcium in your body. But it could also be the other way around, right? That is, because you're eating too much of an unbalanced diet like ice cream, you're not getting the other nutrients your body needs and are developing a nutritional deficiency.
So it's not yet clear which of these two things is happening exactly. It could very well be a combination of both.
Common food cravings during pregnancy
If you take three pregnant mothers , it will be like two of them having this food craving. This is not something that started yesterday, it has been recorded since ancient Greece. Now let's see what are the common food cravings that many people have today.
| Type of Craving | Examples |
|---|---|
| Sweet varieties | Any sweet thing like chocolate, ice cream, cake, cookies, sweets |
| Dairy foods | Milk, chocolate milk, yogurt, skim milk, cheese |
| Fruit | Sour fruits like mango, lime, orange, pineapple, and orange |
| Salty, spicy, sour foods | Pickles, chips, salt and lime, spicy fish curry, kottu |
| Comfort Foods | Rice with sourdough, bread, noodles, and potatoes with oil |
How many more things can be added to this list? Some people crave things like pizza, nuts, and broccoli, while others crave meat and fish. This varies from person to person.
Do you crave non-food items? This is dangerous! - Pica
Some pregnant women develop a craving for non-food items. This condition is called Pica . This is something you should be aware of.
Common foods that people crave during Pica include:
- Ice cubes
- Soil, clay
- Soap, washing powder
- Paint chips on the walls
- Gray
- Paper
- Coffee powder
- Cornstarch
If you feel like eating something that is not food like this, it is not good for you or your baby. Just think about how harmful the bacteria (`(Bacteria)`) and parasites (`(Parasites)`) in it are to you and your baby. And if you feel like eating paint chips, the toxic chemicals like `(Lead)` in them can directly affect the baby's brain development.
So this is not a game. If you experience this kind of craving, see your doctor immediately and tell them about it. This could be a serious sign that you are deficient in an essential nutrient like iron.
How do you control these food cravings?
It's hard to live with these overwhelming food cravings. But the good news is that most of the time, these cravings gradually subside by the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. Until then, you can manage these things.
The most important thing is to try to control your desires .
It's not good to eat too much of everything you want. But if you can't control your cravings, it's okay to eat a little . It's okay to eat something like a cup of ice cream, a few potato chips, or a slice of pizza. The most important thing is to control the amount (moderation) . It's also essential to eat a good, nutritious, balanced meal at other times of the day.
Here are some more tips:
- Start the day with a good breakfast: Eating a nutritious breakfast can help control unwanted cravings throughout the day.
- Eat small, nutritious snacks frequently: Eating something like yogurt, fruit, or nuts between main meals can help control hunger and cravings.
- Drink plenty of water: Sometimes we feel thirsty as if we are hungry. So drink plenty of water throughout the day.
- If you crave sweets, think about your teeth: If you crave sweets all the time, you are at higher risk of tooth decay. That's why it's important to brush your teeth well, floss, and see a dentist every day.
- Exercise: You can control these cravings by engaging in simple exercise like walking, as advised by your doctor.
Ultimately, this is all part of pregnancy. Don't overthink it or worry too much. But if you have any concerns or worries, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.
Take-Home Message
- It's very common to have strange food cravings during pregnancy. Don't be alarmed by them.
- Although the exact cause of these cravings has not been found, hormonal changes and nutritional deficiencies are believed to play a role.
- While there is nothing wrong with eating as much as you like (in moderation) , it is essential to eat a balanced, nutritious diet during the rest of the day.
- Pica (the urge to eat non-food items such as dirt, soap, ice cubes) is a dangerous condition. If this happens, see your doctor immediately.
- These cravings can be managed by eating a good breakfast, eating frequent nutritious snacks, and drinking plenty of water.
- Talk openly with your doctor about your food preferences or any other health concerns.
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