Truth Behind A Pregnant Woman's Food Craving and How to Control It
Cravings are feelings desiring food combinations which womeneither do not normally eat or may even stomach under usualeating conditions. In a survey conducted recently, expectantmothers usually crave for "something sweet" like an ice cream(...
...40%), most often called the "middle-of-the-night" urges. Comingin second is the salty snacks (33%). They also go for spicyfoods (17%) and lastly, the lip-puckering sour foods like tartsand citrus fruits (10%).While no scientific explanations could be given, some reasonsoffered by physicians include:* strong hormonal changes; * deficiency of nutrients; * aconscious or subconscious response to emotion; * food withspecial meaning, religion and cultural reasons; * maybenutritionally based; and, * expectations about getting cravings.On the other hand, food aversion is the opposite of cravings.These are the most hated foods by the expectant mother. Reportsstate that red meat is the most common aversion of would bemothers.Expectant mothers need all the nutrients in the right amount tostay healthy and to help their babies develop and grow normally.Cravings may help would-be moms achieve this by desiringnutritious food over those with excessive calories which theysometimes fill their bodies with. Most pregnant women also havea strong yearning for chocolates that stimulates the release of"feel good" brain chemicals in the body. This sometimes helpspregnant women to feel better and manage their moods even foronly a short period of time.Most popular cravings are: apples, melon, cheese, eggs, milk,olives and pickles, peanut butter and nutsExperts break down the food cravings of women into trimestersduring the pregnancy:First Trimester - a strong bitter taste; this may be a signal ofthe body that warns the expectant mother of the presence of hightoxic substances in plants and fruits.Second and Third Trimesters - a craving for sour tasting foodslike pickles (this helps women to get a varied diet later on inher pregnancy); urges for sweet and sour foods make fruits apopular craving for pregnant women.As the pregnancy progresses - an increased preference for saltyfoods like potato chips; as the blood volume increases in thebody of a pregnant woman her need for sodium also intensifies.Other CravingsUnusual cravings are called the "pica" phenomenon. These arecravings for inedible substances such as dirt, chalk, laundrypowder and coal, etc. Pica is the Latin name for Magpie, a birdthat eats almost anything.Pica is said to be a sign of an underlying physical or mentalillness. If you develop a craving like this, resist it and awardyourself with an ice cream, a bar of chocolate or a piece ofcake. Remind yourself that the craving will pass and not tostress yourself about it. You shall not give in because thiswould mean mental problems for the child, impaired hearing andlow motor skills development.Healthier OptionsDuring pregnancy, there's no harm in giving in to food urgesbut, just don't make it a habit that will endanger you and yourchild.Here are some healthy fixes that you can substitute your sinfulcravings with:Ice cream - opt for a nice cold fruit smoothie, non-fat frozenyogurt, sherbet/sorbet or popsicle;Cola/Soda - flavored seltzer, mineral water with fruit juice orlime juice;Doughnuts and pastries - whole-grain bagels or toasted breadwith jam;Potato chips - low-fat or baked chips, pretzels or lightmicrowave popcorn;Chocolate - have a few squares only, chocolate milk, fat-freehot cocoa or make some trial mix with a small handful ofchocolate chips, dried fruits and nuts; and,Cakes and cookies - low-fat banana-nut or zucchini bread or tryan Angel food cake topped with fresh strawberries, Grahamcrackers with a little peanut butter.Suggestions to control your cravings:Cravings lose their intensity while the pregnancy progresses.But here are some ways to help you manage your food yearnings:1. Eat breakfast everyday to lessen the intensity of yourcravings.2. Understand your cravings to help find healthier substitutesfor your food urges. Try to take time breaking your cravingsdown: What are you longing for: something cold, smooth, creamy,and sweet? This will aid you in identifying more nutritionalsubstitutes.3. Keep a food diary and review whether you're eating a balanceddiet or not.4. Work out to help you curb hunger.5. Have lots of emotional support from loved ones.6. Think small in terms of the amount of intake.7. Always consult your doctor.While pregnant, keep in mind that this is no time for dietingbut a time to experiment with foods and make eating fun as itshould be. Have assortment in your foods, balance your dietwell, and make eating fun, not weird.Note: This article may be freely reproduced as long as theAUTHOR'S resource box at the bottom of this article is includedand all links must be Active/Linkable with no syntax changes.-------------------------Elysiana Canlas 2005. For up to date links and information aboutPregnancy, please go to: PregnancyClue.com-------------------------
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