From fried pickles to cartons and cartons of ice cream, you may find you are craving some unusual food items during your pregnancy. Your fluctuating hormones and the fact that you’re eating for two are chiefly to blame for pregnancy-related cravings. Since you may not always crave healthy foods, you may find alternatives that satisfy your cravings and give your diet some nutritional value. Always speak with your physician, however, about making healthy eating choices that control your cravings.
Cravings and Aversions
Pregnancy hormones can heighten your sense of smell, making certain foods smell bad to you while others can make you salivate. You may find you crave a particular flavor, such as salty, spicy or sweet foods, even if you did not enjoy these food tastes before you were pregnant. Since you are eating to support the nutritional needs of you and your baby, it’s essential to make the healthiest choices possible, yet still satisfy your cravings.
Sweet Foods
Cravings for chocolate, cake, cookies or creamy desserts are common in pregnancy, but giving in too much can lead to gestational diabetes. This pregnancy-related condition can lead to pregnancy complications, which means you may enjoy sweets, but only in moderation. You may also try alternative food options such as nonfat frozen yogurt, sorbet, angel food cake or graham crackers with fruit spread. These sweet alternatives won’t inject as much sugar or fat into your diet, but they can curb your sweet tooth.
Healthier Drinks
Pregnancy increases your hunger and makes you thirstier. If you are craving alcoholic beverages, which you must avoid during pregnancy, you may enjoy some alternative options, such as cranberry juice with sparkling lemonade. Since you are also likely limiting your caffeine intake, switch your cravings for your daily soda with mineral water plus a small amount of 100 percent juice, a sprig of mint or a squeeze of lime.
Interpreting Cravings
Sometimes pregnancy cravings may indicate a potential nutritional deficiency in your body, according to Baby Center. For example, a lack of magnesium in your diet may cause you to crave chocolate. Instead of eating chocolate, however, choose whole-grain breads, beans, nuts, seeds and leafy green vegetables to help your cravings subside. Red meat is another common craving for pregnant women. This may indicate a protein deficiency, which can be remedied by eating lean protein sources such as grilled chicken, lean dairy products and nuts. However, sometimes cravings are simply cravings -- and only eating the actual food itself will help.
