Subscription orders can be cancelled at anytime. Standard delivery will be charged on each subscription order. Find out more about subscriptions.
Theyāre easy and fuss free
Your products are automatically sent to you
You save when you sign up for a subscription
You can cancel at any time
Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can also be filled with many changes and challenges. One of these changes comes in the form of pregnancy cravings. These cravings can be intense and may even seem bizarre, but they are completely normal and a common part of pregnancy.
In this blog, we'll explore what pregnancy cravings are, why they happen, and how to manage them to ensure a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy experience.
Pregnancy cravings are a common experience for many people during pregnancy. They are powerful urges to eat certain foods, even if they are not typically part of one's diet or are not particularly healthy. Cravings can range from sweet to salty to spicy and can vary in intensity and frequency throughout the pregnancy. Some people crave specific types of food or even non-food items, such as ice or dirt.
While the exact cause of pregnancy cravings is not fully understood, they're believed to be related to hormonal changes and the body's increased need for nutrients during pregnancy.
Pregnant people need to listen to their bodies and try to make healthy choices when satisfying their cravings.
Pregnancy food aversions are when a pregnant person experiences a strong dislike or avoidance of certain foods that they'd normally enjoy. Often, they're caused by hormonal changes and can vary in intensity and duration.
It's common for pregnant people to develop aversions to food and drinks that they should avoid anyway, such as coffee and seafood. If you experience aversions during pregnancy, it's important to listen to your body and avoid foods that make you feel sick or uncomfortable, while maintaining a healthy and balanced diet.
You might notice your cravings starting relatively early in your pregnancy, often developing around the third to eighth week of your first trimester - some pregnant people even notice their cravings before they know they're pregnant! Cravings can also regularly coincide with morning sickness, which typically arises around the six-week mark.Ā
During your second trimester, you might notice your cravings or food aversions are at their peak, so get ready to bulk buy ice cream, cream cheese, and apples - or whatever it is you're into.
In your third trimester, your cravings will probably cool down a little and then significantly drop after the birth of your little one. Although you might have discovered some new favourites that you just can't live without.Ā
As we said, no two pregnant people are exactly the same!
You might want pizza and only pizza (maybe pop some veg on top), while others might be sick at the thought of a Margherita, it all depends on you.
Although every palette is unique, here's a list of some common cravings that many pregnant people experience:
Even though it's normal to crave unhealthy foods, it's important to try to eat a nutritionally balanced diet for the health of you and the baby.
As we said, many pregnant people find themselves craving super salty foods while pregnant. This could be down to your body asking for more of what it needs during pregnancy - so if you have a thirst for salt, you might be lacking some sodium in your diet.Ā
It's important to limit salt intake during pregnancy due to the risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and while chips, fries and salted peanuts are all tasty options, if you're really trying to tackle that salt craving healthily, naturally salty foods are a great way to do so. Things like soy sauce, avocado, dairy products, bread and - dare we say it - pickles are a great way to subside your salty appetites.
Sugar cravings are fierce during pregnancy - possibly unlike any other. So, if your sweet tooth has majorly grown recently, feel free to chalk that up to cravings. This one probably isn't trying to give your body what it needs, though, and could get a little risky if you're not consuming in moderation.Ā
It's important to limit sugar intake during pregnancy due to risks of gestational diabetes, gestational weight gain and preeclampsia, so a good way to tackle cravings for all things sugary is to make sure you're taking in a lot of protein and fats to level out your blood sugar. We're not telling you to put the candy down altogether, but just make sure your diet is balanced and you're being kind to your body during your pregnancy.
Many pregnant people find that they're put off by hot dinners and wish for something room temperature or cold to satisfy their needs. Some cold cravings, like really cold milk or ice cream (again), can be down to the need for calcium in your diet. But others, such as ice, could be down to food aversion, rather than cravings - as ice doesn't have a specific flavour.Ā
To be honest, this one is probably a blessing in disguise. At least craving cold water or ice helps you stay hydrated. Especially if you're pregnant in the height of summer.Ā
Fruit and veg are very common cravings for pregnant people and there's the age-old tale that if you're craving fruit when you're pregnant, you're having a girl (which is not at all proven, but you never know).Ā
These cravings can certainly be more beneficial than cravings for unhealthier foods, however, it's good to remember that some fruits are still very high in natural sugars, so should also be consumed in moderation.Ā
Some pregnant people crave things that aren't considered food, such as coal, ice, stones, chalk, clay, or soap. This is known as pica and may be a sign of a mineral deficiency or anaemia.Ā
Even though these cravings can be hard to resist, it's important to avoid eating non-food items because they could be damaging to your digestive system. If you're finding it difficult to cope with your cravings during pregnancy, it's best to reach out to your GP or midwife for support.