What Do Food Cravings During Pregnancy Mean?
You’ve probably known women who craved specific foods during pregnancy, or perhaps you’ve had such cravings yourself. Researchers have tried to determine whether a hunger for a particular type of food indicates that a woman’s body lacks the nutrients that food contains. Although this isn’t the case, it’s still unclear why these urges occur. Some pregnant women crave chocolate, spicy foods, fruits, and comfort foods, such as mashed potatoes, cereals, and toasted white bread. Other women crave non-food items, such as clay and cornstarch. The craving and eating of non-food items is known as pica. Consumption of things that are not food can be dangerous to both you and your baby. If you have urges to eat non-food items, notify your doctor. Following your cravings is fine as long as you crave foods and these foods contribute to a healthy diet. Frequently, these cravings diminish about 3 months into the pregnancy.
