Food cravings during pregnancy

Don’t worry, you’re not alone with your weird and wonderful food cravings.   Some mums-to-be crave one food stuff or another during pregnancy.

While some women are lucky enough to crave  healthy foods like tomatoes and oranges, unfortunately some women find themselves craving sugar during pregnancy, including treats full of calories such as chocolate, sweets and ice cream - which obviously can result in undue weight gain.

What causes food cravings during pregnancy?

Cravings are thought to be due to the rising hormone levels and some women experience craving for this same reason during the second half of their menstrual cycle! There’s really nothing you can do about it. Give in to your desires if you are lucky enough to crave a fruit or veg, but try to resist if you know your craving  Is not a healthy option.Metallic taste in pregnancy

A change or alteration in taste is often one of the earliest signs of pregnancy . Even before the first period is missed mums-to-be can notice a strange taste in their mouth or a different taste appreciation of certain foods. The classic taste is metallic, which is often persistent and quite strong.

Other women notice that their tastes change and that whereas previously they had maybe enjoyed coffee or spicy foods, they now taste vile. Changes in taste are not the same as cravings but can be equally strange.

Abnormal pregnancy cravings & Pica

A craving for a food you would not normally eat is called pica. These cravings are usually associated with materials containing iron and used to be very frequent in the past.

There are many stories of women eating soil and coal which can obviously be interpreted as a subconscious desire to obtain iron. The name pica comes from the Latin name for a magpie – a bird with indiscriminate omnivorous eating habits!

True cases of pica today are rare and the condition can be treated by supplements to correct any iron or vitamin deficiency where this is identified.

An appetite for abnormal items like metal (coins, etc) clay, coal, soil, chalk, paper, soap, or ash, or an abnormal appetite for some things like raw food ingredients (e.g., flour, raw potato, raw rice, starch, ice cubes, salt) is considered pica if the craving persists for more than one month. Some items such as ice cubes won’t do you any harm, except perhaps to your teeth while  other non-food items like clay, coal or soil could harm you and shouldn’t be eaten. 

If you think you have pica seek medical advice. Simple blood tests can tell if you have a vitamin or mineral deficiency which needs treating.

Common pregnancy cravings

Food cravings can affect everyone at times and many mums-to-be are subject to them intermittently throughout pregnancy.

Some pregnancy website forums are packed with examples of cravings such as pickles and ice cream, cream cheese with ketchup, string cheese and strawberries and even rice with brown sugar, barbecue sauce and butter.

The creator of that last winning combination said: “At the time I thought it was soooo good and my husband looked at me like I was crazy. Now I would get sick if I ate that.”

Another mum said: “Tinned spaghetti sauce laced with about four tablespoons of sugar.”

Another bemused mum added: “Onions and mustard. I don't even like onions, but I would crave chopped onion drenched in mustard.”

Here are the most common pregnancy cravings according to our mums...

Why do I have food cravings?

There is limited research into why food cravings or aversions may happen during pregnancy.

One theory is that it is linked to hormonal changes that may affect your sense of smell and taste.

Another theory is that it is the body trying to obtain nutrients it may be deficient in.

Although it can be tempting to indulge in pregnancy, eating for two is a myth. In truth, there has never been a better or more important time in a woman’s life to eat healthily so that she gains the right amount of weight from the right foods and nourishes herself and her baby.