Pregnancy is the time when you experience some physical changes here and there. Thanks to your fluctuating pregnancy hormones, you are going to feel morning sickness, fatigue, etc. At the same time, nutritional deficiencies can change your appetite dramatically. That said, while you’ll have an aversion to some foods during your pregnancy, there will be times when you’ll have massive cravings.
When Do Food Cravings Start During Pregnancy?
Studies have shown that 50% to 90% of pregnant women crave different types of food during pregnancy.
You might strongly savour something spicy or salty or tangy during the first trimester. But you’ll also feel like having sweets in the second. You won’t be able to deny your cravings for something cold during the third trimester.
However, by the time you reach the end of your pregnancy journey, your intensity to crave will gradually taper off.
What Are the Common Food Cravings During Pregnancy?
While pickles, lime, tamarind, and other tangy foods are traditionally linked with pregnancy food cravings; you’ll seem to gorge on some lip-smacking sweets, or, meat, and fish that are high in calories as well as sugar content. So, from pickles to popsicles, the list is endless.
Sweet Cravings
Cakes, doughnuts, mithai – the irresistible laddoos, kalakand…Slurp! Here are some of the sweets you can neither get your mind off nor your tongue off. Asking your partner to get you a few squares of chocolate in the middle of the night tops the list of your favourites. Isn’t that so?
How to Control Your Sweet Cravings?
Research has revealed that your intake of sweets or sugary foods may not just increase your weight, but may also level up gestational diabetes. So, substitute your sweet treats for naturally sweet fruits, or dark chocolates.
Classic Cravings For Pickles
If you’re reaching out for a bottle of mango pickles or dill pickles kept on the last rack of the refrigerator, without your partner’s notice, it’s ok. Satisfying your cravings with something tangy on demand is perfectly fine.
How to Control Your Cravings For Pickles?
While it is acceptable to have pickles during your pregnancy, take care of the amount that you’re having to avoid the increased risk of heartburn, constipation, preeclampsia, and gestational diabetes. The salt that goes with the pickles can cause such health conditions. Alternatively, to beat your addiction to pickles, you can keep some nutritional chips or a handful of popcorn handy.
Cravings For Spicy Foods
There will be times during your pregnancy when you will feel like ordering some chicken fry, or spicy curry from outside. 3.3% of you crave spicy food and as a result, you might be suffering from stomach issues and heartburn.
How to Control Your Cravings For Spicy Foods?
Well! To cover up your cravings for spicy food, you can blend some tomato, onion, and garlic, with sprouts and make yourself a salad plate by squeezing a dash of lime on it.
Cravings For Meat and Fish
Anaemia is common during pregnancy. Having a lot of chicken, steak or fish can make you feel anaemic during pregnancy.
How to Control Your Cravings for Meat and Fish?
So, instead of lean meat, try out plant-based proteins like beans and lentils.
Cravings For Cold Foods
It may be surprising! But it is true. Cravings for popsicles and ice cream are common. But, again, giving yourself such a lot of sweet treats may not be good for you or the baby inside you. After all, they are dense with calories which can result in weight gain and gestational diabetes.
How to Control Your Cravings For Cold Foods?
To beat the sweetness of ice cream and popsicles have frozen yoghurt or make yourself a homemade fruity smoothie or juice.
While there is no need to be very strict about your pregnancy cravings, eat a balanced and nutritious diet, have regular but small meals, and take care of how much you’re eating.