While experts have differing opinions about the causes and meanings of pregnancy cravings, a craving for meat and milk could indicate that your body needs more of the nutrients found in these foods. Since your body needs many different nutrients during your pregnancy, it is important for you to eat a well-balanced diet with that includes both meat and milk -- or at least the nutrients those foods provide.
Pregnancy Cravings
According to Baby Center, some food cravings, like those for milk and meat, may be due to the fact that you need more of the nutrients in this food, like the protein in meat and the calcium in milk. In addition, the hormonal changes that your body undergoes during pregnancy can cause changes in your taste and smell, which may have an influence on your cravings and make you want meat and milk because they taste better to you. However, experts ultimately do not understand what causes cravings, so if you are still craving meat and milk even though you are eating a nutritious diet, do not worry that it means you need even more.
Protein
To ward off cravings for meat due to a deficiency of protein -- which your baby needs to develop healthy cells -- you should make sure you are getting enough in your diet. According to March of Dimes, you should aim for around five to five and a half ounces of protein a day, which can come from lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs or legumes.
Milk and Calcium
Due to your baby's growing bones, you need additional calcium in your diet to prevent your body from taking the calcium your baby needs from your bones. Milk is the primary source of calcium in your diet, so you should be getting at least three cups of milk products daily to prevent cravings due to a calcium deficiency. Healthy milk products include low-fat, pasteurized milk, yogurt and pasteurized cheese.
Dealing with Cravings
You should not use your cravings for milk and meat as a license to overindulge, even in supposedly healthy foods. Eating small, frequent meals with healthy milk and meat products may help curb your cravings. You do not have to restrict your diet, especially if it causes discomfort, in order to fight your cravings. Instead, just practice moderation when you indulge your cravings.
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