Pregnancy is a time of profound physical transformation. There are bound to be quite a few changes, especially when it comes to tastes and preferences. Suddenly, a midnight ice cream might seem irresistible, while the aroma of your favourite spicy dish now sends you running away. Don’t worry! Cravings and aversions to certain types of food are quite normal during pregnancy. These may be initially noticed during the end of the first trimester and may later subside just as suddenly as the onset. Pregnancy cravings and food aversions need to be monitored as they could lead to nutrition deficiency. Fortunately, it is possible to handle pregnancy food cravings and aversions.
Here are some of the important things that you must know about food cravings and aversions during pregnancy.
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Pregnant women may develop a deep craving for certain food items while having an intense and inexplicable dislike for certain other types of food. Food aversion refers to feeling nauseous when tasting certain types of food, while food cravings involve a sudden desire to eat a particular type of food. During pregnancy, the smell, texture, and flavour of food can lead to aversions. Both food aversions and cravings are completely normal during pregnancy.
Let’s take a quick look at the causes behind the onset of food cravings and food aversions during pregnancy:
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels usually spike during pregnancy, ad this may affect your smell and taste. This hormone may also affect your appetite.
Food aversion is also closely associated with morning sickness. Pregnant women with morning sickness develop a dislike for certain types of food and will instinctively begin avoiding them completely.
During pregnancy, you may produce more saliva, altering your taste. Some food may taste metallic, and aversion to that food may develop.
Your body might signal you the nutrients you need by developing a liking for certain types of food during pregnancy.
Your body might insist on avoiding certain types of food that are harmful to your baby in the womb. This may be a reason for aversion.
As each woman is unique, food aversions and cravings vary from person to person. Given below are a few of the common food aversions and cravings seen during pregnancy:
You may develop cravings for some of these common comfort foods:
● Icecream
● Chocolate
● Cookies
● Fruits
● Vegetables
● Sweets
Pregnant women may experience food aversions, where they dislike certain types of food, with common aversions that include:
● Meat
● Egg
● Spicy food
● Tea or coffee
● Garlic
● Onions
Usually, women experience a peak in food cravings and aversions at the end of the first trimester, and this may become severe in the second trimester. Food cravings and aversions usually subside towards the last stages of pregnancy. For some women, food cravings and aversions can even be an initial sign of pregnancy.
Although healthy pregnancy cravings and aversions are normal, they can lead to certain complications:
● Craving for Non-Food Items
Some pregnant women may develop a craving for items that are not edible, such as chalk, clay, soap, charcoal, ice and dirt. This may be due to an underlying medical condition that requires immediate medical intervention.
● Under nutrition
Food aversions may result in avoiding most of the healthy food items during pregnancy, resulting in under nutrition. This may affect the growth of the baby.
● Weight Loss
You may lose weight during pregnancy due to the inability to eat adequate food due to pregnancy-related food aversions.
Dealing with pregnancy food cravings and aversions is a challenging task. To manage such issues, it’s important to listen to your body and understand what your body signals. Here are things you can do to deal with your pregnancy cravings and food aversions:
1. Eat Small Meals Throughout the Day: Split your meal so you never feel hungry and avoid the intake of unhealthy food
2. Limit the Food You Crave: It is ok to eat the food you crave. But to try to limit its quantity.
3. Keep Yourself Occupied: Get involved in any activities during pregnancy. This will keep your mind occupied and help you get rid of food cravings. When you are idle, your body may urge you to eat more, resulting in food cravings.
4. Look for Healthy Alternatives: If you crave to eat something sweet, look for healthy alternative fruits, dry fruits, smoothies, etc.
5. Reduce Your Sugar Intake: Reduce your sugar intake during pregnancy. This can help you manage your sugar levels during pregnancy.
6. Take your Prenatals: Food aversion may result in nutritional deficiency, so never skip your prenatal during pregnancy.
It is not possible to prevent food aversion or food cravings during pregnancy. Staying active, eating a balanced diet and taking your supplements can help avoid complications due to food aversion and cravings during pregnancy.
Food aversions and cravings are common and often considered early signs of pregnancy. While they are usually not a cause for concern, it’s important to ensure they don’t prevent you or your baby from receiving essential nutrients. If your cravings or aversions feel overwhelming or unusual, it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor, as they could signal an underlying issue. By approaching your cravings and aversions with a careful and balanced approach, you can maintain a healthy and wholesome diet throughout your pregnancy.
