When do cravings start during pregnancy?
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In brief: Pregnancy cravings are real and very common, but their exact causes remain poorly understood: hormones, psychology, and emotions play a more established role than nutritional deficiencies, contrary to widespread popular belief. They primarily manifest in the first trimester and can be managed calmly, with moderation rather than prohibition. Only non-food cravings (pica) require prompt medical attention.
Pregnancy is a period of physical and emotional upheaval for an expectant mother. Among the many changes she may experience, food cravings hold a special place. We often hear about the famous pregnancy cravings, but what is the reality behind them? Are they a myth or a reality? How can they be managed?
Why do pregnant women have cravings during pregnancy?
Pregnancy cravings are a common experience for many expectant mothers. Several theories have been put forward to explain them, but no single one has achieved consensus.
The hormonal hypothesis
Some researchers suggest a role for hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy: estrogen and progesterone levels could influence taste and smell sensations, which might contribute to unusual food preferences.
The psychological and emotional hypothesis
According to a literature review published in 2014, pregnancy cravings could also be influenced by psychological and emotional factors, such as stress, anxiety, and mood swings. Expectant mothers may then experience specific cravings to comfort themselves or find emotional relief during this transitional period. This same review also highlights that the hypothesis of a direct link between nutritional deficiencies and food cravings remains poorly supported by currently available data.
The popular belief of "nutritional need"
A widespread popular belief is that cravings are a way for the body to meet certain specific nutritional needs, with a craving for strawberries, for example, signaling a vitamin C deficiency. This idea is intuitive, but studies on the subject have not established a reliable link between a precisely desired food and a given nutritional deficiency: the mechanisms of pregnancy cravings remain multifactorial and incompletely understood.
The link with nausea
Food cravings are also sometimes a way to calm pregnancy nausea or unpleasant acid reflux.
Finally, it should be noted that from one pregnancy to another, these sudden cravings can be completely different, and they do not predict whether you are expecting a boy or a girl; this popular belief also has no scientific basis.
When do cravings start during pregnancy?
Some women report cravings as early as the first month of pregnancy, while others may take longer to experience specific cravings. Every woman is unique, and her hormonal upheavals can vary.
Food cravings tend to manifest primarily during the 1st trimester of pregnancy, often between the 5th and 13th week. However, they can occur at any time during pregnancy and even persist throughout the nine months.
Cravings can also be seasonal. For example, some expectant mothers will crave ice cream and fresh fruit during the summer months, while others will prefer comforting and warm foods during the winter months.
How to manage cravings during pregnancy?
If you are an expectant mother and experience cravings during your pregnancy, it is important to manage them in a healthy and balanced way. Here are some tips to help you:
- Satisfy your cravings in moderation: if your current craving is a grapefruit or strawberries with every meal, no problem. On the other hand, if your brain demands a big burger with greasy fries as soon as you wake up, it's less simple to give in to your impulses! At Boome, we don't like incessant injunctions, so unless you have gestational diabetes or it is formally forbidden by your doctor, we can't recommend enough that you occasionally give in to the temptation of these little indulgences that are good for morale. And if this need for rich foods is really too frequent, the little trick is to try to favor small quantities: sometimes 1 or 2 bites are enough to calm a sudden craving.
- Vary your diet: having a varied and balanced diet overall remains essential for your health and that of your baby, so don't limit yourself to just one type of food. Try to incorporate a variety of nutritious foods into your diet to meet all your nutritional needs.
- If your cravings are caused by the need to calm pregnancy nausea, know that the feeling of hunger that often causes these nauseas can be alleviated by a little ginger. Usual recommendations suggest a maximum of 1g of dried ginger per day during pregnancy. So next time, in case of nausea, prefer a ginger infusion over a bag of chips!
The most common pregnancy cravings in expectant mothers
Some pregnancy cravings are common, others are stranger. Here are some of the most frequently reported cravings by pregnant women, with, for each, the real explanation and the popular belief that often accompanies it:
- Craving for strawberries: in everyone's mind, strawberries are the quintessential symbol of these irresistible cravings during pregnancy, probably for their sweet and refreshing taste. Popular belief sees it as a sign of vitamin C deficiency, but this link is not scientifically confirmed.
- Craving for chocolate: chocolate is a comfort food, which may explain why many pregnant women can never get enough of it during their pregnancy. Others will prefer to reach for peanut butter...
- Craving for pickles: popular belief associates them with a salt deficiency or an electrolyte imbalance, without solid scientific evidence to support it. Their salty and tangy taste is often enough to explain their appeal.
- Craving for ice cream, regressive foods: sweet products are a real comfort when you feel a bit down during pregnancy. They can bring sweetness, a feeling of freshness, or even nostalgia, at a time in life when you need to be pampered.
- Craving for red meat: some pregnant women experience a craving for salty foods, especially red meat. Popular belief associates it with iron deficiency; red meats are indeed a good source of iron, but the craving itself is not a reliable indicator of deficiency.
Be careful, despite your cravings, certain foods should be avoided during pregnancy, such as fish containing high levels of mercury, raw or undercooked meats, or unpasteurized dairy products. Caffeine is not forbidden but should be limited: EFSA recommends not exceeding 200 mg per day during pregnancy, which is about two espressos. To learn more, our article Can you drink coffee while pregnant? details everything you need to know on the subject.
It is important to note that some pregnant women may develop non-food cravings, known as "pica," which is an intense desire to consume non-edible substances. Pica is considered an eating disorder and may include the consumption of soil, clay, chalk, paper, and other unusual materials.
The exact cause of this disorder is not entirely understood, but studies suggest it may be linked to nutritional deficiencies, particularly in iron, zinc, and calcium. It is crucial to note that consuming non-edible substances poses health risks to the mother and fetus: these substances may contain contaminants or harmful toxins, and they can interfere with the normal absorption of nutrients necessary for the baby's growth and good health. If you experience non-food cravings during your pregnancy, it is imperative to consult your healthcare professional immediately.
Do pregnant women also experience aversions during pregnancy?
In addition to cravings, it is common for pregnant women to also experience food aversions. Foods that were once enjoyed can suddenly become repulsive.
These food aversions during pregnancy could be linked to olfactory hypersensitivity, morning sickness, or hormonal changes. Some researchers also see it as a possible protective mechanism against substances potentially toxic to the embryo, especially in the first trimester.
Overnight, some pregnant women may develop a strong aversion to certain foods, which can make it difficult for them to eat. It is important to respect these aversions and not force yourself to eat foods that cause intense disgust. In some cases, it may be preferable to seek out alternative foods that meet your nutritional needs while avoiding foods that provoke a strong aversion.
Whether savory or sweet, your cravings will only last for the duration of your pregnancy. Listen to your body, its needs, and trust yourself. And to supplement your diet, whether perfectly balanced or not, Boome supports you throughout your pregnancy with pregnancy vitamins formulated with nutrients selected for their bioavailability.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or midwife for personalized advice, especially in cases of non-food cravings (pica).
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