Her mornings begin with craving for spicy, salty and sour food, which started during the second trimester of pregnancy. Soumi Nandi Chakraborty, a 27-year-old software engineer from Pune, seven months pregnant, experiences intense pregnancy food cravings at times, a typical symptom for a soon-to-be-mom. “The only sweet thing I crave is mangoes which are in season. I also crave junk foods like chips, wafers, street food and even pickles,” says Chakraborty.
She includes everything in her pregnancy diet, while focusing on portion control. “My gynecologist told me that there is no harm in having pineapple and raw papaya, which are usually not eaten during pregnancy. However, I avoid oily and highly spicy foods to prevent acid reflux which usually occurs during the second and third trimester,” adds Chakraborty.
When does food craving start in pregnancy
A soon-to-be-mother can either start having cravings or aversions about five to six weeks after diagnosis, which can continue throughout pregnancy.
“Pregnancy food cravings usually start in the first trimester (conception till 12 weeks) and continue till early second trimester (12-24 weeks). It could be due to rising hormone levels in the mother,” says Dr Sushruta Mokadam, obstetrician, Motherhood Hospitals, Pune.
By the third trimester (24-40 weeks), most cravings reduce. “When aversions towards certain foods stop by 14-16 weeks, a mother regains her appetite to eat a balanced diet, which keeps her cravings under control,” explains Dr Mokadam.
Common food cravings during pregnancy
Most cravings occur due to deficiencies that the body is trying to fulfil by consuming extra foods that one is craving for and should not be ignored, according to Dr Mokadam.
Depending on the trimester of pregnancy, cravings can vary:
- First trimester: Morning sickness with nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester. This results in deficiency of potassium, electrolytes, and water, along with reduced sugar levels. “Cravings can be a way of making up for the lost nutrients. Sugar cravings are hence common. Traditionally, there is a craving for salty and sour foods like lemon and pickles,” says Dr Mokadam.
- Second & third trimester: If there is a deficiency of iron, calcium or other trace elements in the body, it can develop into non-edible pregnancy food cravings like clay, mud or dirt. This is called pica pregnancy, which can be psychological. “This is why we always supplement iron and calcium in the second and third trimester,” explains Dr Mokadam.
“Taking care of your nutrition intake will help you manage your pregnancy food cravings,” adds Dr Mokadam. One should fulfil the nutritional requirement, especially all the major macronutrients, micronutrients and proteins (building block of a baby), through healthy foods and ensuring supplementation of essential nutrients like folic acid supplementation.
How does pregnancy food craving affect the baby
Indulging in cravings does not affect the developing baby or the mother if the portion size is managed.
“But, if one is craving for non-nutritive things or going through pica pregnancy, consuming it can have a neurological impact on both the foetus and mother,” explains Sweedal Trinidade, head of department, dietary services, P D Hinduja Hospital, Mumbai.
To ensure moderation while also indulging in cravings, Trinidade lists out the following tips:
- One should eat at regular intervals during pregnancy. They should not wait until they feel very hungry and not eat every food that is available.
- Plan well in advance to make healthy food choices. For carbohydrate requirements, go for whole grains, pulses which contain complex carbohydrates, rather than consuming simple carbohydrates like table sugar.
- Substitute food items like sweets and ice cream with healthier choices like fruits to satisfy sugar cravings.
- Prefer home cooked food over processed food because it contains high sugar content as additives.
- Eating during pregnancy can also involve consuming junk food once in a while. However, try to avoid refined flours and highly spicy foods.
Should you ignore pregnancy food craving
Pregnancy food cravings can be hormone-driven, says Dr Mokadam.
“However, if a mother goes through pica pregnancy, which is harmful for both mother and baby, it is crucial to not indulge in those kinds of non-edible cravings. It should be tackled with the help of your doctor,” Dr Mokadam further advises.
She asks soon-to-be-mothers to keep a watch on their sugar cravings and maintain sugar levels during pregnancy to prevent gestational diabetes, or pregnancy-induced diabetes.
“Eating during pregnancy should be a happy time. Occasionally indulge in your cravings, if it is not harmful. Moderation is the key. Ensure that your cravings do not interfere with your diet and maintain the daily nutrient requirements for you and your baby,” adds Dr Mokadam.
Takeaways
Pregnancy food cravings are a common phenomenon that is assumed to occur to fulfil nutritional deficiency or due to rising hormone levels in soon-to-be-mothers. Eating during pregnancy should be a regular diet that involves the required nutritional intake for the mother and baby. Even while indulging in craving, eat in moderation and make healthier food choices, say doctors.
