Food cravings during pregnancy are very common. They differ from normal cravings as they are much stronger. These cravings are uncertain and unpredictable. You may get a craving at 3 am for something that you have not eaten for months.
So, when do pregnancy cravings begin? In some cases, it begins as early as the second or third week of pregnancy. Usually, it becomes challenging around the 11th week as your baby is growing.
Here is a list of the Top 6 pregnancy food cravings that most women get:
Pickle
You may have heard of many women craving pickles during pregnancy. The sour and tangy flavour is what pregnant women love. Pickle cravings suggest that your body requires sodium. Your body’s sodium requirement goes up due to the increase in blood volume. Giving in to this craving helps you fight nausea.
Chocolates
Who doesn’t love chocolates!? Chocolate makes you happy. A chocolate craving indicates low magnesium levels. You may have green vegetables or beans to boost magnesium in your body. If you cannot resist the temptation, then eat dark chocolate as it is rich in antioxidants.
Cheese
Any dish becomes incomplete without extra cheese! You crave cheese when your body asks for calcium. Indulging cheese cravings occasionally is not a problem. Opt for low-fat cheese if you are concerned about your weight. Alternatively, try other calcium-rich items like milk, yogurt, or broccoli.
Ice cream
Many pregnant women love chilled, flavoured ice cream. Ice cream craving indicates low calcium levels. Enjoy a low-fat vanilla flavoured frozen yogurt topped with fresh fruits instead of an ice cream.
Spicy food
Cravings chillies, hot curries, or spicy foods mean your body needs to cool down. Spicy foods make you sweat and help your body cool down. Adding a little spice to your foods is not harmful, but watch out for the quantity as it may lead to heartburn or indigestion.
Fruits
Craving fruits indicate that your body is demanding Vitamin C. It is a healthy craving. Eat cooling and refreshing fruits like watermelon and grapes. However, do not eat fruits in large quantities to keep your blood sugar level in check.
Apart from all this, you may also crave some non-food items like chalk, dirt, or clay because of the hormonal changes. Do not give in to these cravings as it may harm you and your baby. Apart from these, you may observe various other food cravings during pregnancy that are very common among pregnant women.
For tricks to manage food cravings, you may browse through Pampers India. Pampers is dedicated to the care of you and your baby. It will show you the right direction on what is good and bad for the two of you.
