Tuesday, November 15, 2016
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You know the joke about women wanting pickles and ice cream? Well, it isn't really a joke. Pregnancy cravings are crazy... they hit you like a ton of bricks, every single cell in your body screams, I MUST HAVE IT NOW.
I have had 4 kids and been through a handful of different intense food desires throughout every single pregnancy and yes, I have sent my husband to the store at 1 AM to get me ice cream.  This is perfectly ok.
There is usually a reason why our bodies are so insistent on particular cravings, it's because the vitamins and minerals in these foods we crave are often exactly what is needed to aid in baby's development, or they help mom with the changes in her body due to pregnancy.
Have you had pregnancy cravings?  What about any of them on this list?  Leave a comment and let me know!
15 Familiar Pregnancy Cravings and What They Mean
1.  Cheeseburger 
Beef is high in Vitamin B12, a vitamin that helps produce DNA and RNA, which are the genetic blocks of life. (1) Cheese has calcium, which is helpful in bone formation. (2)  A big juicy cheeseburger was my #1 craving during pregnancy!
2.  Steak
Steak is full of B12 as well as iron. Iron helps carry oxygen in the blood. (3) If you're vegan, you can up your iron and B12 by eating legumes, quinoa, seaweed, whey or barley. 
3.  French Fries
Vegetable oil contains Omega 6, but the trans-fats in the fried foods are not beneficial for your body.  It's smarter to opt for these nutrients closer to the source, in things like sunflower seeds, green leafy vegetables and eggs. (4)
4.  Chips
Salt is essential to our body.  It is an electrolyte that assists potassium in increasing blood volume.  It also helps carry nutrients and aids in absorption of nutrients. (5)  Although chips are a quick and easy snack to grab a hold of, it is important to focus your sodium intake on healthier, non-preservative forms like kale chips or popcorn.  
5.  Cheese
Cheese has calcium, like mentioned in #1- Cheeseburger, but also is high in fat and high in protein, to help with energy!  Cheese in moderation is great, but there are many other healthier options out there for calcium and protein, like broccoli and almonds.
6.  Spicy Food
I have heard many moms say that they craved tacos with all the toppings: chiles, hot peppers, you name it- spicy foods can hit the spot!  Many of these spices contain capsaicin, which has MANY benefits!  It boosts metabolism and promotes a healthy vascular system. (6)
7.  Seafood
Seafood is high in Vitamins A & D.  Vitamin A is important for growth and development of the hair, skin and other parts of the body and Vitamin D helps regulates calcium; Seafood is also high in selenium, potassium, magnesium, iodine, zinc and Omega-3's which are necessary for baby's nervous system development. (7)
8.  Pickles
Dill is full of natural antioxidants (8) and fermentation adds in probiotics, which help balance good/bad bacteria in your digestive system.
Who doesn't like yummy cripsy dill pickles?
Check out this dill pickle recipe and canning tutorial from Simplify, Live Love!
9.  Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter is high in magnesium. Magnesium in your body attributes to healthy metabolic, cardiovascular, neurological and muscular system function.  Deficiencies can cause depression, sleep disturbances, chronic fatigue syndrome and other issues. (9) Also, a recent study says that mothers who ate more peanut butter and/or tree nuts during pregnancy lessened their child's risk at developing a peanut butter or tree nut allergy later in life.  Interesting!! (10)
10.  Chocolate
Dark chocolate may help lower blood pressure (11) and could improve insulin sensitivity, which can reduce your risk for diabetes. (12) I had the biggest cravings for chocolate during my two high risk pregnancies that were due to high blood pressure!  Coincidence? Could be, but I'll just say chocolate is good any day.
11.  Fruit
This is usually a really good craving to have, because fruit is a sweet treat without the regrets of additives like you'd get with confectioneries. Some even are a little sour, so it can counteract nausea, plus they contain natural juices that can help with dehydration.  Eating fresh fruit is a great way to get Vitamin C (my favorite is kiwi), and citrus fruits and strawberries can help boost your folate during pregnancy.
12.  Salad
The more variation of salad greens added into your salad, the more Vitamin A, C, K, iron, calcium and fiber you are adding to your body.  Fiber is so important because it helps move food through your digestive tract, easing constipation symptoms and preventing bowel disorders. (13)
13.  Freshly Baked Bread
This one just makes me say MMMMMM, and I'm almost 6 months postpartum right now!  The smell of warm, right out of the oven, artisan bread is so delightful.  The carbohydrates are insanely addictive!  Upon research, I found that wheat and dairy products often contain opiod peptides, which target your endorphin receptors and give off that feeling like morphine might.  
14.  Pie
I had a couple people tell me that pie was a HUGE craving for them and although it isn't something I yearned for, I can see why this is a common pregnancy craving.  You can satisfy your sweet tooth and get a serving of fruit or veggies in as well.  Pumpkin is a smart choice if you're looking for pie with benefits, it's low in saturated fat, has a good amount of fiber and is packed with Vitamin A. (14)
15.  Cereal
If ready to eat or hot cereal is just what you are in the mood for, it could be the whole grains, fiber or iron that you're in need of.  There are healthy options with cereal, I suggest to check out my affiliate Thrive Market for stocking up on healthy and organic at wholesale prices!  Shopping at Thrive Market always makes me so hungry and inspires me to make better food choices for my family.


This is just a quick look at some of the most common pregnancy cravings.  It is crucial to know what you are eating and why your body needs it.  For optimum health, investigate what is in your favorite foods and always try to get these vitamins and minerals as close to the source as possible.  This is even more important during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.  If you have questions about your diet, direct them to your healthcare professional.  

REFERENCES:
Some images used are from morgue file.






2 comments:

  1. Salt is one of my big pregnancy cravings, and I was glad when my midwife said it was a signal to go ahead and eat what I needed. Popcorn is one of my favorite things!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I always craved a PB&J sandwich. It was my comfort food.

    ReplyDelete

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