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Truth Behind A Pregnant Woman's Food Craving
and How to Control It
Cravings are feelings desiring food combinations
which women either do not normally eat or may even stomach
under usual eating conditions. In a survey conducted recently,
expectant mothers usually crave for "something sweet" like
an ice cream (40%), most often called the "middle-of-the-night"
urges. Coming in second is the salty snacks (33%). They also
go for spicy foods (17%) and lastly, the lip-puckering sour
foods like tarts and citrus fruits (10%).
While no scientific explanations could be
given, some reasons offered by physicians include:
* strong hormonal changes; * deficiency of nutrients;
* a conscious or subconscious response to emotion; * food
with special meaning, religion and cultural reasons; * maybe
nutritionally 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. Reports state that red meat is the most common aversion
of would be mothers.
Expectant mothers need all the nutrients in
the right amount to stay healthy and to help their babies
develop and grow normally. Cravings may help would-be moms
achieve this by desiring nutritious food over those with excessive
calories which they sometimes fill their bodies with. Most
pregnant women also have a strong yearning for chocolates
that stimulates the release of "feel good" brain chemicals
in the body. This sometimes helps pregnant women to feel better
and manage their moods even for only a short period of time.
Most popular cravings are: apples, melon,
cheese, eggs, milk, olives and pickles, peanut butter and
nuts
Experts break down the food cravings of women
into trimesters during the pregnancy:
First Trimester - a strong bitter taste; this may be a signal
of the body that warns the expectant mother of the presence
of high toxic substances in plants and fruits.
Second and Third Trimesters - a craving for
sour tasting foods like pickles (this helps women to get a
varied diet later on in her pregnancy); urges for sweet and
sour foods make fruits a popular craving for pregnant women.
As the pregnancy progresses - an increased preference
for salty foods like potato chips; as the blood volume increases
in the body of a pregnant woman her need for sodium also intensifies.
Other Cravings
Unusual cravings are called the "pica" phenomenon.
These are cravings for inedible substances such as dirt, chalk,
laundry powder and coal, etc. Pica is the Latin name for Magpie,
a bird that eats almost anything.
Pica is said to be a sign of an underlying physical
or mental illness. If you develop a craving like this, resist
it and award yourself with an ice cream, a bar of chocolate
or a piece of cake. Remind yourself that the craving will
pass and not to stress yourself about it. You shall not give
in because this would mean mental problems for the child,
impaired hearing and low motor skills development.
Healthier Options
During pregnancy, there's no harm in giving
in to food urges but, just don't make it a habit that will
endanger you and your child.
Here are some healthy fixes that you can
substitute your sinful cravings with:
- Ice cream - opt for a nice cold fruit smoothie, non-fat
frozen yogurt, sherbet/sorbet or popsicle;
- Cola/Soda - flavored seltzer, mineral water with fruit
juice or lime juice;
- Doughnuts and pastries - whole-grain bagels or toasted
bread with jam;
- Potato chips - low-fat or baked chips, pretzels or light
microwave popcorn;
- Chocolate - have a few squares only, chocolate milk, fat-free
hot cocoa or make some trial mix with a small handful of
chocolate chips, dried fruits and nuts; and,
- Cakes and cookies - low-fat banana-nut or zucchini bread
or try an Angel food cake topped with fresh strawberries,
Graham crackers 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:
- Eat breakfast everyday to lessen the intensity of your
cravings.
- Understand your cravings to help find healthier substitutes
for your food urges. Try to take time breaking your cravings
down: What are you longing for: something cold, smooth,
creamy, and sweet? This will aid you in identifying more
nutritional substitutes.
- Keep a food diary and review whether you're eating a
balanced diet or not.
- Work out to help you curb hunger.
- Have lots of emotional support from loved ones.
- Think small in terms of the amount of intake.
- Always consult your doctor.
While pregnant, keep in mind that this is no
time for dieting but a time to experiment with foods and make
eating fun as it should be. Have assortment in your foods,
balance your diet well, and make eating fun, not weird.
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About the Author:
Elysiana Canlas is a copywriter, a database management specialist,
and a wedding coordinator. She is the webmaster of PregnancyClue.com,
a web nook of a bunch of up to date pregnancy tips. Elysiana
Canlas 2005. For up to date links and information about Pregnancy,
please go to: PregnancyClue.com
Article Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=87010
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