Pregnancy is synonymous with cravings. From wanting to eat pickles to unusual food substances, mums-to-be experience strong cravings for a variety of foods. You may even feel the need to have foods that you’ve never had an appetite for. For instance, you may not have liked tomatoes, but during pregnancy you may crave for them. These could be caused due to fluctuating pregnancy hormones or lack of a particular nutrient that your body would want you to eat. For example, if you feel like having milk when pregnancy, your body may be in need for calcium!
When Do Cravings Occur?
There’s no specific time when cravings start during pregnancy, as every mum-to-be is different. But, as soon as your body begins to release pregnancy hormones, food cravings and aversions start occurring. Plus, the strength of your cravings may fluctuate and change from time to time during your pregnancy. Typically cravings occur for sour, citrus fruits, dairy products, spicy, tangy foods, sweet treats, or salty snacks.
Should You Give Into Them?
It is okay to give in to your cravings as long as your health is maintained. Make sure to not over-indulge as it may affect your and your baby’s health. Also, it is best to not remain hungry for long. So, you may want to eat small portions of food every few hours to prevent sudden pangs of hunger. This may even help you deal with unhealthy food cravings.
Non-food Cravings
Some women may even crave for non-food items like coal and chalk. While there is no proven fact about these cravings, it could be a symptom of mineral deficiency. If you experience any non-food cravings, it’s important that you don’t indulge in them. By resisting these cravings, you will avoid any harm to you or your baby.
