Why Pregnant Women Crave the Strangest Foods

Pregnancy cravings are common, but are they really messages from the baby? We break down the science, myths and meanings behind those irresistible food urges.

Crave durians or pickled mangoes at 2 am during your six-week pregnancy? Want your fries dipped in strawberry jam? You are fall from alone. Most expectant mothers experience peculiar, and even bizarre pregnancy cravings. 

There is a myth that these cravings are a sign that the baby inside the womb wants or needs a particular food. For example, if a pregnant mother suddenly craves mangoes or chocolate, some believe that it is because the baby is asking for it.

But how true is this belief? Here’s what we now understand about pregnancy cravings.

What Are Pregnancy Cravings?

Pregnancy cravings are real and common, just like other pregnancy-related conditions such as anaemia and morning sickness. Expectant mothers may have cravings for specific foods while journeying through their pregnancy. 

A pregnancy craving is an intense desire of a pregnant mother to consume specific foods, often with a strong preference for sweet, salty, spicy, or even non-food substances (a condition called pica).

These cravings typically begin in the first trimester, peaking in the second, and declining in the third trimester in most women. Nonetheless, some mothers may continue to experience cravings after delivery. 

Types of Pregnancy Cravings

Nearly two out of three pregnant mothers have food cravings. Pregnancy cravings can vary among individuals, ranging from mild to intense. While pregnancy cravings can be very personal, some common examples may include: 

• Ice cream
• Pickles
• Chocolate or sweets in general
• Spicy, salty or sour foods
• Fish
• Fruits such as pineapple, citrus fruits and strawberries

Sometimes, the cravings can become extreme. Some mothers may crave non-food items or food with low nutritional value. This condition is called pica, which is defined as craving substances with little or no nutritional value. Some examples of pica cravings include:

• Chalk
• Dirt or clay
• Soap or laundry detergent 
• Paper
• Sand
• Cornstarch
• Ice

These pica cravings should never be ignored, as they may be linked to underlying nutritional deficiencies.

Possible Causes of Pregnancy Cravings

Several factors, including hormonal changes, sensory shifts, and nutritional needs in the mother’s body, may drive pregnancy cravings. 

Hormonal Fluctuations and Sensory Changes

Pregnancy alters the levels of key hormones like oestrogen and progesterone. Both hormones are crucial for supporting the growth of foetus. These hormonal changes enhance taste and smell sensitivity, leading to strong cravings for specific foods. 

Pregnant mothers may prefer saltier, sweeter, and sourer foods due to their increased tolerance for these tastes compared to non-pregnant women. 

However, pregnant mothers may also have heightened sensitivity to bitterness. Hence, it is rather common for them to experience an uninvited metallic taste in the mouth, primarily when drinking coffee. The metallic taste can also aggravate nausea and vomiting, particularly in the first trimester. 

While pregnancy cravings are expected, it is also quite common for some expectant mothers to develop food aversions. A food aversion is a strong dislike of specific foods, even if the person previously enjoyed them before pregnancy. They are linked to rising levels of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone responsible for morning sickness. This hormone, produced only during pregnancy, can dramatically alter food preferences.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Sufficient nutrition during pregnancy is critical for ensuring healthy foetal development. While scientific evidence may not be concrete, pregnancy cravings suggest that the body may crave certain foods to compensate for nutrient deficiencies.    

For example, craving red meat may be linked to iron deficiency, and dairy products to calcium deficiency.

However, not all cravings reflect nutritional needs. Many expectant mothers crave high-calorie and processed foods that do not provide essential nutrients. Additionally, some pregnant women with pica cravings may have iron-deficiency anaemia. Consuming non-food items or nutrient-poor foods due to pica can be detrimental to both the mother and baby. 

Cultural Influences

Cultural influences and personal food memories can also shape pregnancy cravings. For instance, Japanese mothers may crave rice due to cultural traditions. Meanwhile, someone who grew up eating chocolate may crave it more during pregnancy. Chocolate is very commonly craved, as most of us grew up eating it.

However, a study showed that this may not apply to Egyptians. In Egypt, people did not have strong general sweet cravings, including for chocolate. Therefore, this shows that pregnancy cravings may differ among individuals from different backgrounds and cultures. 

Should You Worry About Your Cravings?

Pregnancy cravings are linked to the mother’s bodily changes and needs. Hence, unlike the belief from the older generations, these cravings are not direct signals from the baby requesting specific foods, but your body’s way of adapting to change.

Generally, most pregnancy cravings are harmless. While it is fine to indulge occasionally, it is still imperative to balance indulgence with nutrition for the well-being of both the mother and the baby. 

Tips To Manage Pregnancy Cravings

• Opt for healthier alternatives e.g. fresh fruits when you have sweet cravings
• Stay hydrated, as drinking sufficient water may help reduce unnecessary cravings
• Practise mindful eating so you can differentiate between actual hunger and emotional cravings
• See your gynaecologist immediately if you develop non-food cravings

References

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3. The Truth About Food Cravings. WebMD. Updated: 9 June 2023. https://www.webmd.com/baby/the-truth-about-food-cravings
4. Pica Cravings During Pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association. https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/is-it-safe/unusual-cravings-pica/
5. Orloff, N. C., & Hormes, J. M. (2014). Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 1076. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4172095/
6. What Bodily Changes Can You Expect During Pregnancy? Healthline. Updated: 29 August 2017. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/bodily-changes-during
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8. Everything You Need to Know About Food Aversions During Pregnancy. Healthline. Updated: 25 January 2024.  https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/food-aversions
9. Ganesan, P. R., & Vasauskas, A. A. (2023). The Association Between Pica and Iron-Deficiency Anemia: A Scoping Review. Cureus, 15(4), e37904. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10199804/