Food cravings during pregnancy Ohana Felicity

Table of Contents

Cravings during pregnancy – What to do when the stomach growls?

During pregnancy, women notice strong physical changes that are not only expressed visually. The sensation of smells and tastes also changes and both unusual and very strong cravings and food cravings arise. How pregnant women should deal with these cravings and when cravings can become dangerous for them are two of the most important questions surrounding this topic.

Understanding cravings as a healthy sign

It is not sufficiently clear which factors promote cravings during pregnancy. However, it is probably an interplay of hormonal and physical changes. The pregnancy hormone beta-HCG in particular can trigger cravings.

Another reason for cravings during pregnancy can also be the fact that the body accumulates energy reserves and wants to counteract a lack of nutrients. Here, it often develops a subconscious intelligence in the selection of preferred foods, which explains the cravings for unusual combinations.
Pregnant women should therefore listen to their bodies when they have cravings and also follow particular cravings. Here, however, it is important that the healthy diet should not suffer from the desire for sweet or fatty. Read also: Good foods during pregnancy

ALSO INTERESTING:

25 Oct

Family, Family Life, Puberty, Relation and Sexuality

Gynecologist first visit – do not panic

2022-10-25
By Sarah
0 comments

At some point every young woman comes to the point of seeing a gynecologist. The first visit to the clinic is very exciting for many gi...

Cravings during pregnancy as a risk factor

If cravings focus primarily on unhealthy foods and pregnant women could empty one bag of chips or gummy bears after another, this promotes the development of obesity. However, if affected women gain significantly more weight than is normal during pregnancy, this can trigger certain diseases such as gestosis or even gestational diabetes. The supply of important nutrients to the unborn child can also suffer from an unbalanced diet low in vitamins and minerals.

Pregnant women with ravenous appetite should therefore not exclusively reach for unhealthy foods. Even if exceptions are of course permitted, a balanced and healthy diet is the be-all and end-all. When craving hearty or sweet foods, affected women should therefore reach for healthy alternatives such as whole grain products, fruits and vegetables. Finally, it is important not to eat “for two” in terms of quantity, but to adapt the quality of the diet to the special requirements of pregnancy.

Preventing ravenous appetite

Cravings often occur during pregnancy when blood sugar levels drop. This is especially the case when a pregnant woman has not eaten for several hours. The best way to prevent cravings is therefore to eat smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day. Optimally, you should have 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) plus snacks in between such as nuts, yogurt, fruit and vegetables. Ideally, you should eat something every 2 – 3 hours. Here, pregnant women should focus on snacks and in-between meals that allow the blood glucose level to rise moderately and fall again slowly. Fiber-rich foods in particular, which the body has to break down and utilize for longer, also keep pregnant women fuller for longer. With muesli, wholemeal bread, a raw vegetable platter or even fruit salad, pregnant women effectively counteract cravings and provide themselves and their unborn child with the nutrients that promote healthy and good development.
Read also: Home remedies for heartburn during pregnancy