CRAVINGS during Pregnancy

Most women will experience food cravings at some point or another during pregnancy. In fact many women will crave some type of cuisine or unusual food product during pregnancy. The most popular cravings include sweet and salty foods, while other women report craving spicy or fatty foods.
Why all the cravings?

Causes of Food Cravings During Pregnancy

>>Some cravings are simply the result of your body's needs for additional calories for the growth of baby.

>>Sometimes nutritional deficiencies present ethical problems as well. Many pregnant vegetarian women find they get uncontrollable cravings for meat this means you need more protein also your body needs more first-class protein. There is no easy answer to this. Some women give in to the craving over the short-term and revert to strict vegetarianism after the birth. Others find that including fish or balancing pulses and grains in their diet boosts their protein intake. Including more eggs, milk or cheese in your diet is another way to provide good protein.


Dealing With Cravings during Pregnancy

>>Hormones do many more changes so carving is one of it, take it lightly do not panic and eat the thing you want you can take that in small quantity. Enjoy little meals. Do not over-indulge. Just don't expect your partner to jump on the bandwagon and join you when you start eating foods that are out of the ordinary.

>>Weird carvings signals that you are deficient in certain nutrients it could be even towards dirt or other undesirable things coffee grounds, plaster, toothpaste, paint chips or other unusual substances. Your doctor can test you for a condition called iron deficiency anemia.
Do not get indulge in any of your weird cravings... Consult your doctor/nurse about the matter.

>>Chocolate carving is due to more need of Vitamin B.
Eating chocolate stimulates the release of 'feel good' brain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in the body; this combined with the immediate sugar boost, may help a woman who is tired or depressed to feel better, albeit for a short time.
Most commercially produced chocolate, however, is laced with additives and other undesirable synthetic chemicals (many of which are not listed on the label).
So if occasionally you just have to give into the craving, try having dark, organic chocolate as a somewhat healthier alternative.
A more positive approach to feeling good, however, would be to pursue a regular course of exercise and relaxation. If you're depressed you may want to consult a therapist to help you.


Here are some common cravings and what they may be telling you:

· Apples : Calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium.
This is a pretty healthy craving. If you have a high-fat diet, your body may be craving the pectin for its ability to lower cholesterol

· Melons : Potassium and vitamin A are its main nutrients.
Cantaloupes are also high in vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, biotin - so go ahead, give into it

· Cheese : Calcium, phosphorous and aluminum.
Eat more broccoli and other green vegetables as a lower fat alternative.

· Eggs : Full of protein but also sulphur, amino acids, selenium and, in the yoke, fat. The white contains useful fat-dissolving choline.
Often it's not the eggs, but the accompaniments (bacon, sausages etc) which are unhealthy. Vary your protein sources to include oily fish like salmon or dried beans to ease the craving.

· Milk : Calcium is the obvious choice. But milk also contains useful amino acids such as tryptophan, Lucine and lysine.
As long as you're not allergic, allow yourself an extra glass.

· Olives, pickles : Sodium - your pregnant body needs more of it. Your body may also crave salt to balance excessive sugar intake.

· Peanut butter/nuts : B-vitamins, protein and fat. You need more of each when you are pregnant.
A diet rich in oily fish will help diminish the craving and be lower in calories.


Remember : Eat healthy and Think healthy.

*RiTu*

Healthy Alternatives to your Cravings:
Instead of... ...TRY these
Chocolate Bar ... hot chocolate with 2% or skim Milk

Sugar-frosted Cere ... whole-grain cereal topped with raisins or fresh strawberries

Candy ... dried fruits or frozen fruits

Ice Cream + topping ... non-fat yogurt or sorbet with fresh berries and nuts

Potato Chips ... baked cheese puffs, baked potato/taco chips, roasted nuts, rice cakes

Soda ... fruit juice mixed with sparkling water

Tips to deal with your Cravings:
>Drink a whole glass of water and wait a while before you dive/dig into your food-craving.
You will eat a smaller quantity.
>Eat a good breakfast. Hunger triggers cravings.
>Think small or bite-size. Avoid eating out of large boxes/cartons. Plate your food.