What are cravings?
We call cravings the compulsive and irresistible desire to consume a particular food at a given moment, not only during pregnancy. When they appear, the same foods tend to be recurrent in the same person, so one person may want potato chips and another, oranges. Although the main hypothesis has always been that hormones create a preference for a specific nutrient that may be lacking, this theory falls apart. Often cravings are directed towards completely superfluous foods that do not provide any nutritional value, such as sweets, pizza, chocolate, among others.
What causes cravings?
There are many misconceptions, such as that you have to eat for two, that weight gained during pregnancy is only an aesthetic issue and will be lost afterwards, or that if the body asks for a certain food it is because nature is wise and that is what it needs… One thing that has been documented, and could explain the cause, is that taste can change during pregnancy. There are changes in the taste bud receptors. This could explain why during pregnancy you may not want a food you used to eat often but crave another that never caught your attention. A connection has been found between this phenomenon and excessive weight gain during pregnancy. This can increase the risk of conditions during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes, or complications during delivery. There is also a relationship between smoking habits and cravings, especially when the pregnant woman quits smoking. In reality, quitting tobacco and replacing the urge to smoke with eating is something that happens at any life stage. During pregnancy, typical cravings combine with a stronger motivation to quit smoking. Types of cravings. It is important to know that sugar metabolism changes during pregnancy. What you think are simple sweet cravings may actually be your body's response to a glucose metabolism alteration. Superfluous foods like those described get the first prize, but also acidic or spicy foods. Cravings for pickled foods like olives or pickles are very common. If you have any doubts about your cravings, it is best to consult your gynecologist.
Can cravings be dangerous?
Eating too much of the same type of food can be harmful to your health, as you would end up following a very unbalanced diet. Bananas can be healthy, but not if you eat 1 kg a day, displacing other foods. At this stage of your life, you need to eat very well. But there are two situations that deserve special attention, as they are eating disorders: pica and bulimia.
Pica
is the compulsive consumption of a non-nutritive substance. The population that suffers the most is pregnant women, who often consume ice, sand or plaster scratched from walls. The cause can be a nutritional deficiency. It is not uncommon for pica to be hidden from the doctor out of embarrassment, but it is a disorder that has a solution. So, if this is your case, tell your doctor so they can evaluate your situation and find the most suitable foods for you.
Bulimia.
Bulimia involves binge eating episodes which may be followed by vomiting. If you feel you struggle to control these impulses to eat, consult a professional. Duration of cravings during pregnancy The onset, duration, and end of cravings vary greatly among women. The first trimester is dominated by nausea and vomiting, which sometimes leave little room for cravings. More women report cravings in the second trimester.
When you have a craving, should you satisfy it?
The answer to this question is a definite no if the food in question could pose a health risk, such as tequila. If the craving is for chocolate, almonds, ice cream, strawberries, cheese… why deny yourself? We are talking about occasional consumption, even if it is a superfluous food. Sporadically it will not cause harm to you or your baby. If it becomes a persistent craving, you will have to look for healthier alternatives. Want chocolate? Choose dark and sugar-free, much healthier than that milk chocolate bar filled with cookie. It is essential to clarify that denying cravings can cause frustration, but it will never affect your baby. In the past, it was said that if you refused a craving, the baby would be born with a big mark on the skin. Of course, this is an idea without any scientific basis. Anxiety should never be an excuse to give in to cravings, and it must be treated properly, not with compulsive consumption, which will only be a patch and could harm your nutrition.
In Conclusion During pregnancy, our perception of flavors changes, although it is also possible that the body asks us for certain foods or necessary nutrients. You can continue enjoying the foods you like and, if necessary, consult a nutritionist for healthier alternatives so you don't have to give up those cravings.
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