Why do pregnancy cravings develop?
Based on an online survey conducted in Kenya, up to 60% of women develop an odd combination of food cravings throughout their pregnancy. However, even as every pregnancy is different, scientists have pointed out to the fact that rapidly changing hormones might cause pregnancy cravings. As your body tries to get the needed nutrients to sustain life, it might force you to partake foods you previously didn’t even like before.
How to manage unhealthy cravings
Unfortunately, unhealthy pregnancy cravings is a real thing. For this reason, you can find yourself inclined to eating too many sweet or fatty foods. To be able to manage them, you may need to do the following;
- Eat breakfast daily
If your body is well nourished, you are unlikely to crave an unhealthy snack. However, eat something healthy such as a hard-boiled egg, fruit, and a glass of milk. Read more on Nutrition during pregnancy here
- Exercise regularly
Exercising may be particularly hard especially with how your body quickly gets tired during pregnancy. Nonetheless, staying active will distract you from your cravings, and when hunger strikes you will be more likely to pick something healthy.
- Plan for snacks
Curb unhealthy snacking by planning for all your meals for the day. With unhealthy foods out of reach, you will most likely limit your tendency to eating unhealthy foodstuffs.
What to avoid foods/drinks
As expected, pregnancy forces you to cut out some foods that are deemed too dangerous to indulge in. As such foods can be harmful to a baby’s development, avoiding them is key to having an easy pregnancy and healthier baby. Such foods include;
- Raw seafood
- Undercooked meat and eggs
- Unpasteurized milk
- Raw vegetables and sprouts
- Herbal tea
- Alcohol
When to see a doctor about your cravings?
Though most pregnancy cravings are deemed as a natural part of being pregnant, dangerous, uncontrollable cravings can be a sign that a doctor’s visit should be scheduled. Some of the danger cravings include a desire to eat non-food items such as soap, dirt, bleach, and plastic. Talk to your doctor about what nutrients you lack and ways to keep you and the baby safe.
Disclaimer:
#Please note that development differs from one child to another
#Content intended for educational purposes only, and should not be substituted for medical advice from your doctor.
Last reviewed January 2019
Sources: healthline, babycenter, webmd
