Pregnant women are famous for having extraordinary food cravings. We have all heard the pickles and ice cream story. It may seem strange to someone that has not experienced it, but to the mom-to-be, it is a very real and very powerful urge.
Many pregnant women report food tasting different during pregnancy. Food that you used to hate, you might crave. Food that you used to love, might make you sick just to think about it. No one is sure, but most experts agree that these cravings are nature's way of helping you to eat what you and your growing baby need. For example, if you are craving ice cream, then you might need calcium. If you are craving hamburgers, then you may need protein. But, there is actually little to no evidence to support this theory.
Another school of thought is that hormonal changes intensify your sense of taste and smell. This could affect your impressions of certain foods. Some things can taste like the best thing you have ever had in your whole life, while other foods will send you running for cover.
Some believe that pregnant women are just more likely to comfort themselves and take advantage of this precious opportunity to get what they want. They are tired, heavy, hormonal and that hot fudge brownie every night seems to take the edge off. But, many women report being repeatedly inconvenienced by their cravings and they are definitely not trying to get any extra attention or comfort themselves by having to drive to buy a candy bar in the middle of the night when they would much rather be sleeping.
There is actually a condition called pica that you should report to your doctor if you experience. Pica can cause women to crave non-food items such as sand, rocks, soil, paper, feces or clay. Some women even want to eat ingredients such as plain flour or cornstarch. These types of cravings should not be entertained and can actually harm your baby or keep your baby from receiving the nutrients that it needs. This condition is usually only diagnosed if it lasts for more than a couple of weeks. Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any types of these cravings, especially if you have indulged in any of them. Actions such as eating dirt can introduce dangerous parasites into your body. Eating some of these other substances can give your body dangerous levels of lead or iron. Flour and other food ingredients eaten plain can block your intestines and inhibit absorption of nutrition needed by you and your baby.
Most cravings that you have for normal foods are okay and quite common. It is usually okay to indulge every now and then. Just talk to your doctor if you are having any consistent cravings that could give you or your baby too much of one vitamin, iron or sugar.
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