We've all heard about pregnant women wanting certain things throughout their pregnancy; some want sweets, others wish for greasy comfort food, and others crave spicy or salty foods. But when are cravings a problem for you and your baby?
Most pregnancy cravings are harmless and may be related to your body's hormonal changes. However, if you eat nonfood items like chalk or soap, you could deal with another problem.
The best thing you can do for yourself and your baby is visit Collaborative Women's Care in Miami, Florida, for regular prenatal appointments. Dr. Eduardo Valdes and his team specialize in obstetrics and gynecology to give each woman the care they need throughout their life.
If you've ever been pregnant or know a few women who have, you likely know about pregnancy cravings. These cravings come on early in pregnancy and have you salivating over foods you might normally not eat.
During pregnancy, though, you probably can't seem to get enough gravy fries or chocolate milkshakes – but why? Not a lot of research gives a definitive answer to that question – but it could be the simple fact that your hormones are changing.
Think of the time right before your period; most women seem to eat everything in sight, including sweets and chocolate. For some reason, your body seems to crave different foods during significant hormonal changes.
Most pregnancy cravings aren't a problem unless you're eating so much that you're gaining excessive weight or not getting enough nutrient-dense foods. Common pregnancy cravings you may experience include:
Many women crave sweets, including baked goods, candy, and chocolate. The primary issue this causes is weight gain and a potential for gestational diabetes.
There's not enough research to determine if pregnancy cravings are due to hormonal changes or because your body is lacking certain nutrients. Are you eating specific foods because your body needs them, or do you need them because you're overeating one specific food?
In many cases, women taking prenatal vitamins who eat a relatively healthy diet can indulge in their cravings without an issue. In moderation, most of these cravings make you happy and aren't a danger to your health or the baby.
It’s essential to attend your prenatal appointments to ensure you stay healthy throughout each trimester.
You should be concerned about pregnancy cravings when you want to eat items that aren't food. Pica is a phenomenon that happens when you want to eat things that hold zero nutritional value.
The cause of pica during pregnancy isn't clear, but it could be due to an iron deficiency or other nutritional issues. Women who have pica typically crave the following:
Pica cravings are a real problem that could result in harm to you and your unborn baby. These substances are not nutritional and often contain harmful chemicals and toxins.
Many women experience pregnancy cravings until they give birth, but that's not always the case. You may only notice severe cravings during the first trimester while your body adjusts to the hormonal changes of pregnancy.
The only time to be completely concerned is when dealing with pica. Come in right away to talk to Dr. Valdes about what you can do to prevent health issues.
In the meantime, craving pickles and ice cream isn't a priority as long as you eat them in moderation. Try to get up, eat a healthy and nutritious breakfast, and add fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Limit your cravings to a few times a week to keep you and your baby healthy.
To schedule a prenatal appointment or to talk to Dr. Valdes about craving concerns, call our office in Miami, Florida, and request an appointment using our convenient online booking feature.
