When do pregnancy cravings start ?
How to explain the cravings of pregnant women?
An irrepressible need for strawberries, a newfound attraction to pickles or mustard… These sudden cravings during pregnancy are not necessarily harmless. Are hormonal changes the only cause? Where exactly do these food cravings come from in expectant mothers, and how can they be managed?
Pregnancy changes the body. The woman's body changes, for starters, and it begins to function differently, to respond to the child growing inside her. Among all these changes, food cravings are particularly well-known. Suddenly, you want a mustard sandwich at two in the morning, or a bowl of strawberries with whipped cream that you won't be able to say no to. While for some women these cravings remain minimal, for others, they completely change their nutritional balance.
Where do a pregnant woman's food cravings come from?
Hormonal changes caused by pregnancy can partly cause these famous food cravings, most often at the beginning of pregnancy , sometimes only for a few days, or even none at all... It is particularly at the beginning of pregnancy that the placenta produces hormones that unbalance the body, and attract us more towards certain foods, tastes, smells...
In 2020, a study showed that food cravings are not always what we think: they are not in fact biological, nor directly linked to the nutritional needs of the fetus (source 1). These cravings could be motivated by something else, their origin could be cultural or psychological , the researchers report, relying on the scientific literature.
Why do pregnant women crave strawberries?
What if it was simply a cliché? " The uncontrollable need for strawberries, so often described, is not so common ," says nutritionist Christine Van Egroo. "In general, we notice a new penchant for a certain taste category of food (bitter, salty, sweet, etc.), which will translate into this or that dish, depending on tastes . "
When do food cravings start during pregnancy?
Food cravings usually appear during the first trimester of pregnancy. Sometimes they last until delivery, they change over the months, or disappear... These urgent food cravings could correspond to an injunction from the body to be supplied with the nutrients it needs.
"A young woman explained to me that her pregnancy had triggered cravings for "everything", whereas before falling pregnant, she was thin and ate very little, explains nutritionist Christine Van Egroo. "During pregnancy, the body demands what it really needs and, in this specific case, what it has been deprived of for so long".
- Cravings for vegetables and fruits would thus reflect a lack of vitamins;
- those of chocolate and cakes, latent hypoglycemia;
- those of cheese , a need for calcium…
A hypothesis supported by various nutritionists, but not scientifically demonstrated to date.
Too much sugar or salt in food: a role in the cravings of pregnant women
Pre-existing dietary imbalances could therefore be linked to these cravings. The diet of pregnant women, like that of many of us, can include too much sugar and fat and lack fiber, vitamins and trace elements. Normally, the body accommodates these deficiencies as best it can. But during pregnancy, it is extraordinarily challenged and demands its due, it sends signals when it wants to fill nutritional deficits.
"A nutritional assessment from the start of pregnancy, at least during the first trimester, would make it possible to identify any nutritional deficiencies and rebalance intake in advance".
Pickles, strawberries, mustard... How to manage pregnant women's cravings?
Preparing broccoli for your sweetheart at midnight, isn't that a great way to show your love? Cravings are an opportunity for your partner to show their commitment to the pregnancy and please the mother-to-be. "The mother-to-be thus acknowledges her status as a pregnant woman". These cravings can also be read as desires and needs to be pampered and reassured.
Pregnant, my urge to vomit takes away my appetite
In some pregnant women, the morning sickness that accompanies the beginning of pregnancy is particularly violent. It will then cause a real loss of appetite, which must be monitored. A pregnant woman must ingest a certain number of nutrients so that the fetus is healthy and develops well. Sometimes, anxieties related to pregnancy can also be the cause of a loss of appetite.
Food Cravings: Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy
Pregnant women will tell you: resisting cravings seems impossible! However, eating well means putting all the chances on your side to have a beautiful baby, have a peaceful pregnancy, protect your body and avoid excessive weight gain and gestational diabetes.
During your pregnancy, you will not be able to indulge in:
- Alcoholic beverages ;
- Raw milk and derivatives;
- Raw seafood, especially sushi;
- Cold meats not vacuum-packed ;
- Sprouted soybeans , to prevent the risk of listeriosis .
At the same time, make sure to regularly clean and disinfect the refrigerator. In addition, if you are not immune to toxoplasmosis , you will also need to avoid raw or rare beef and pork.
Do food cravings affect whether you have a girl or a boy?
According to some beliefs, a certain diet could influence the sex of the baby . Studies have shown that mineral salt intake (sodium, potassium, calcium, etc.) could modify vaginal secretions and affect the path of spermatozoa.A theory that has not been confirmed by recent studies and which is not unanimous among doctors.
Warning: a pregnant woman should not impose on herself a diet that is not adapted to her needs, this can be dangerous.
