We all know pregnancy changes your body, but what I didn’t appreciate was how much it would change my diet.
Things I used to eat everyday – like avocadoes – make my stomach turn whereas things it would never occur to me to buy if I wasn’t pregnant – like quiche – make my tummy growl.
So what does it all mean? Why do we crave one thing, and totally go off another?
I’ve taken my top 5 pregnancy cravings and done a little (highly unscientific) research into what might be causing them – apart from pure greed of course!
Pregnancy cravings & what they REALLY mean
1: Sugary carbohydrates. If it’s beige and contains more than 50% sugar then I want it. Belgian buns are a particular fave – you know the ones: with currants in, icing on top and a big fat cherry. I’ve even been known to eat two in a row.
Cause: Apparently craving sugary carbohydrates is down to hormonal changes ‘affecting scent and taste perception’. So there’s nothing you can do about it. Which makes scoffing two Belgian buns in a row ok, right?
2: Pickles. I love pickles. Pickled beetroot, pickled onions, pickled gherkins – I’ll eat them straight out of the jar. But when I’m expecting this penchant takes on a whole new level.
Cause: Some research suggests women who crave pickles are low in sodium, but apparently there’s no actual proof. On the up side, apart from being a bit antisocial, at least they don’t contain many calories.
3: Crisps – the saltier the better. A bit like the Belgian buns, if they’re beige and have zero nutritional benefit then I want them.
Cause: Like the pickles, crisps are loaded with salt and some experts suggest women who crave crisps are low in sodium.
4: Yellow fruit. Tinned mandarins, pineapple and satsumas are all fruits it would never normally occur to me to reach for – I’d even go as far as to say I don’t even like pineapple. But when I’m expecting I can’t get enough.
Cause: You’re growing a baby so your body needs extra nutrients – Vitamin C being one of them. Some people also say if you crave acidic citrus fruits you’re expecting a girl (you’ll have to check back in nine weeks or so to see if that one’s true or not!)
5: Ice. Ice is the only thing I’ve ever found to relieve morning sickness. I’d never normally put ice in drinks but when I’m pregnant the colder I can make a drink the better – and I eat it too.
Cause: No-one seems to know. Which isn’t very helpful. At least it doesn’t contain any calories.
Did you or your partner have any specific cravings in pregnancy? What’s the weirdest craving you’ve ever come across?
Linking up with…
Mine was english mustard eaten from a spoon – don’t know how I did that. And also in the end I drunk litres of pineapple juice. With my second pregnancy nothing tasted nice and eating was such a challenge.
Sorry #picknmix
I found with my first I had massive cravings for juicy fruits like nectarines and peaches, also gummy bears and steak! Such a random mix (though I didn’t eat them all together haha). Oh and towards the end I’d have at least a glass a day of iced vanilla milk. As in milk, ice cubes and vanilla syrup. No idea why, never drink the stuff unless pregnant! XD x #picknmix
Sweet and sour sauce from McDonalds (so of course got chips to go with it!) and Slush Puppies – not together mind – with my first. Anything fruity – actual fruit, fruity drinks etc. Both girls as well 🙂 #PicknMix
I used to eat a lot of soup, but I would dunk a banana into it and eat that too ha! Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
You already know it is important to eat a well-balanced diet, but it is even more important when you are pregnant. Keep in mind now you are eating for two. Whatever you eat, the baby eats as well. In fact the baby actually takes your nourishments so you must eat enough for both of you. The healthier you eat the better it is for the pregnancy and you.
Never miss a meal while you are pregnant, especially breakfast. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and your baby has probably been waiting since he/she woke up in the middle of the night. You may learn that if you wait so long before eating you start to feel sick, this is your body telling you to eat. Do it!
Make sure you are getting enough of the food you need daily. It takes 4-6 servings of dairy a day for a healthy pregnancy, this can include some cheeses, milk, yogurt. This provides the baby with calcium which it’ll need to develop healthy growing bones. Adding extra calcium to your diet wouldn’t hurt you either, especially your teeth and bones.
Don’t forget about your fruit and vegetable servings. Lots of green is always a good choice, so are sweet potatoes. Not only will you be giving your body what it needs but you’ll start to have more energy. Try laying off the sweets for a week and replace them with healthier items and see how alive you feel.