Craving Pickles During Pregnancy
A craving for pickles could mean low sodium levels.
One of the most famous pregnancy cravings is for pickles. Its very normal in pregnant women so dont worry if youre reaching for the gherkins or pickled onions at 3 oclock in the morning!
Cravings for salty foods are common and pickles are certainly one such food, says Hayley. It may reflect low sodium levels. Salt holds water in the body and is really important in keeping the fluids running from mother to baby. Try not to add too much salt to food instead, get your salt fix from a snack of pickles or green Spanish olives, or by eating roasted vegetables seasoned with salt and herbs.
When Should I Call The Doctor About Food Cravings And Aversions
From the What to Expect editorial team and Heidi Murkoff, author of What to Expect When You’re Expecting. What to Expect follows strict reporting guidelines and uses only credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. Learn how we keep our content accurate and up-to-date by reading our medical review and editorial policy.
Are There Risks To The Baby
Eating non-food substances is potentially harmful to both you and your baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica cravings are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients.
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Adverse Health Effects Of Excess Gestational Weight Gain
Food intake in pregnancy has been the focus of increasing attention from researchers, health care providers, and policy makers alike due in part to a growing awareness of the rising prevalence and significant adverse consequences of excess GWG for the health of both mothers and their children. The Institute of Medicine defines excess GWG in singleton pregnancies as 35+ pounds in women of normal pre-pregnancy weight, 25+ pounds in overweight women, and 20+ pounds in women who are obese . While there are multiple components of GWG, including the weight of the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid, much of the variance in weight gained in pregnancy is accounted for by an increase in fat mass . Despite efforts to combat obesity in the U.S., the prevalence of excess GWG is on the rise: according to the National Research Council and the IOM there was a 2025% increase in U.S. women gaining more than 40 pounds during pregnancy from 1990 to 2003 , and around half of all pregnancies currently result in GWG that exceeds IOM guidelines .
Things To Think About
- Where do you want to give birth? This could be at home, in a midwifery unit or in hospital.
- Do you want someone with you during the birth, such as your partner or a family member?
- If you need a forceps or vacuum delivery, would you want someone with you?
- If a caesarean is necessary, do you want someone with you?
- What birthing equipment do you want to use? This could include mats or beanbags.
- Do you want to use any special facilities, such as a birthing pool?
- Do you want to keep active during labour?
- What position would you prefer to be in while you’re in labour?
- Do you want immediate skin-to-skin contact with your baby, before the cord is cut?
- Are you happy for midwives, nurses and doctors in training to be present during your labour?
- What are your pain relief preferences?
- How do you want to feed your baby?
- Can your baby be given vitamin K if they need it?
You can download an NHS birth plan template. While you’re writing your birth plan, talk to your midwife about your choices so they understand and can advise you.
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How Should I Sleep In Pregnancy
Depending on how you normally like to snooze, you might have to rethink your favourite position while you’re pregnant.
If you sleep on your back, it’s safe to continue during the first trimester, but as your bump gets bigger and heavier you’ll need to sleep on your side, so it’s best to get into the habit as soon as you can.
It’s ok if you end up in all sorts of positions when you are asleep. The important thing to remember is to fall asleep on your side, as this means you are sleeping safely for your baby. If you wake up on your back, don’t be alarmed, just turn onto your side and go back to sleep.
Try sleeping on one side with your knees bent, it’ll help reduce the amount of pressure on your uterus and help you breathe better. Plus, this position can help relieve backache. You can use pillows under your belly, between your legs, and behind your back if you like.
You should go to sleep on your side whenever you have a snooze, including:
- going to sleep at night
- getting back to sleep, after waking up at night
- daytime naps
Ice Cream With A Twist
I’m usually not a big carnivore but all I wanted was meat! Spaghetti Bolognese , In-N-Out burgers and, maybe the strangest of all, vanilla ice cream with beef jerky bits on top . The last one turned out to be a weirdly delicious combo of salty/sweet, though I tried it once when I was NOT pregnant and realized that pairing was only something that pregnancy could bring about.Mae K.
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Buddy The Elf’s Specialty
Teri Reed took to to talk about her pregnancy craving, and I think it’s safe to say it’s only been seen once before: in the movie Elf. “I didn’t know I was pregnant, but I was watching Elf. Buddy was making his spaghetti with the maple syrup, candy, marshmallows, etc, and it looked AMAZING! Tested positive two days later.”
I think we were all a little curious about this breakfast combination after seeing Buddy chow down at the breakfast table, but I didn’t think anyone was actually brave enough to do it…
Cravings At 3 Weeks Pregnant
It is possible but not all women will have cravings at this early stage. You may still experience some early pregnancy symptoms and food cravings may be one of them. According to Womens health associate, it is possible that morning sickness and food cravings come together and happens between your 3 8 weeks of pregnancy.
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Here Are Some Of The Weirdest Ones
There are many pregnancy cravings that make no sense. Still, doctors suggest there are multiple nutritional lacking at the same time. But who cares when the combinations are so delicious?
Below I have shared some weird yet very creative combinations that moms-to-be thrive on and waste no time away from them,
You Might Find Yourself Reaching For Salty Snacks
Popcorn, potato chips, pretzels … all manner of salty snacks make the list of pregnant women’s most-wanted treats. As it happens, there’s a biological reason for this too specifically, a need for sodium. As nutritionist Fiona Tuck toldHuffPost Australia, “Salt or sodium is important for nerve and water balance within the human body.” She goes on to say that “sodium requirements may slightly increase during pregnancy to help maintain fluid balance, blood pressure and nerve transmission,” but she cautions pregnant women against overdoing the salt, particularly if they are prone to high blood pressure.
Dietitian Jessica Spendlove mentions another reason why pregnancy increases salt cravings: “One of the most common reasons we can crave salt is dehydration,” she told HuffPost Australia. “This can be related to when we have a cold, drink alcohol or are pregnant.” She does, however, warn that this kind of hankering can sometimes be caused by underlying medical conditions like adrenal insufficiency or Bartter’s syndrome, and suggests consulting a doctor if pregnancy salt cravings become extreme and persistent.
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Examples Of Bottle Types
Standard: widely available, and the least expensive option.
Wide-necked: easier to clean, but take up more space.
Anti-colic: reduce the amount of air your baby takes in while they’re drinking.
Shaped: some bottles come with holes in the middle or special handles to make them easier for your baby to hold.
Heat-sensitive: change colour if the milk is too hot.
Self-sterilising: you just need a microwave to sterilise these bottles.
Disposable: sterilised bags that fit inside bottles and are thrown away after feeds.
Glass: more environmentally friendly than plastic bottles, but more breakable.
What Are Food Aversions
Food aversions are the opposite of food cravings. They can create some equally unusual feelings. Food cravings and food aversions during pregnancy usually start around the same time.
Interestingly, Frontiers in Psychology found that food cravings might not have anything to do with the nausea and vomiting of morning sickness, but avoiding certain foods probably does.
Meat, normally a staple for most women in the United States, is often rejected during pregnancy. The sight and smell of raw meat, cooking smells, and the texture of prepared meat can be too much for some pregnant women to stomach.
Research published in 2006 found that women experience much more morning sickness when meat is consumed in larger amounts.
So why is meat such a monster for some? Researchers suspect its because meat sometimes carries bacteria that can make a mother and baby sick. The body protects them by making meat an unappetizing option.
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Beans Are Apparently Good For Dessert
Bean salad, bean sandwich, bean dressing, everything beans!
Most of the pregnancy cravings include beans as a good dessert. Its an after-food food for those moms who are expecting. But let me tell you an unlikely combination. Ice-cream smothered with beans. The hot and cold going together is one of the most demanding yet weird pregnancy cravings.
Craving Carrots During Pregnancy
Carrots are great for eye health.
Carrots are another vegetable pregnant women may crave and for understandable reasons.
They provide good levels of betacarotene, a precursor to vitamin A needed for skin and eye health, says Hayley. Carrots are also a powerful antioxidant, she adds. Munch on one as a snack or dip carrot sticks into low-fat hummous.
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Ice Cream And Pickles
For whatever reason, the on-going joke about women’s pregnancy cravings are how much women want pickles. Personally, I already love a good pickle, so I can’t imagine craving them already more than I do now!
This mom didn’t only crave pickles though, she also craved vanilla ice cream. “Yes, it seriously happens” @Wessaowynn captioned her picture. Who knows, maybe she even added the pickle juice to her ice cream. Considering how many people adore pickle juice, I can see people creating their own pickle ice cream when not pregnant.
Should You Give In To Pregnancy Cravings
It is very easy to give in to pregnancy cravings but there are two downsides that you have to be very careful of. First, there is a risk of overeating and gaining too much extra weight if you gave in to such cravings. .
Studies have also shown that the more weight you can gain during pregnancy, the more difficult it is to lose those extra pounds after giving birth.
It is ok to give in to some of the pregnancy cravings but also ensuring that you have a healthy intake of fruits and proper diet.
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Survival Of The Fittest
Some of our cravings and aversions have to do with a desire to protect ourselves and our growing babies from harm. For example, many of us find that substances that would be unhealthy or less healthy naturally make their way to our lists of aversions, such as coffee and alcohol. Many of us also lose our taste for meatthe theory being that consuming meat can increase ones chances of bacterial contamination. However, these experiences are not true for every pregnant person!
Craving Avocado During Pregnancy
A craving for avocado could help leg cramps.
Another great source of B vitamins including B12 and vitamins C and E , plus magnesium and potassium, avocado is a superfood thats worth eating even if youre not craving it. Nutritious and filling, the healthy fat content also helps to build your babys brain tissue.
If one of your pregnancy cravings is avocados in the third trimester it could be that your body needs potassium. This mineral known to ease leg cramps, which are common in the later stages of pregnancy.
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Hot Dogs Out Of The Package
Hot dogs are processed like bologna. Its essentially deli meat in an intestinal casing. We usually eat them piping hot, wrapped in a fluffy bun, and topped with mustard and, for the controversial, ketchup. Sometimes, though, when youre pregnant, you just want to eat it cold. Your body wants that iron, protein, and B-vitamins, even in this floppy, slimy, and who is anybody kidding, obscene form.
But no matter what you do, no matter how intense the craving, do not eat a raw hot dog. Theres a reason so many food restrictions are placed on pregnant people, and uncooked hot dogs are a really good example. Hot dogs are breeding grounds for Listeria. A pregnant body that contracts Listeria means potentially severe consequences for both the mother and child.
But wait, arent hot dogs precooked before theyre packaged? Yeah, they are, but that means nothing. Even after processed and packaged, those little wieners can get Listeria. This is the same reason pregnant people should avoid deli meats. Listeria hot spots. Its a gross fact of modern-day, Westernized eating, but true. Listeria is not fun and not worth indulging in a pregnancy craving.
Craving Curry During Pregnancy
Many women have cravings for spicy food.
Cravings for spicy foods are common, says Hayley. Womens penchant for spicy curries could be because many of us associate is as a comfort food. If your baby is overdue, curry also has a reputation for bringing on labour.
Worried about gaining additional pounds during pregnancy? Opt for vegetable curries like dhal or chickpea curry. Served with plain rice as this will be easier on your digestive system.
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Everything You Need To Know About Pregnancy Cravings
The number of unexplained pregnancy symptoms might shock you, and pregnancy cravings are one of themresearchers have theories, but dont know exactly what causes pregnancy cravings. Some think it could be a result of hormone changes while others think that certain diet deficiencies trigger them. What we do know is that almost all pregnant women experience cravings, so youre not alone!
When Do Pregnancy Cravings Start
All pregnant people are different, but in general, pregnancy cravings begin by the end of the first trimester, tend to peak in the second trimester, and then tend to decline as the third trimester ends.
However, parents who breastfeed might experience cravings of their own, and certainly continue to experience increased appetites, as both breastfeeding and pregnancy require increased caloric needs.
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Bananas And Lemon Juice
Some women know they’re pregnant right away when they start craving weird food combinations, but there are some women who crave these kinds of things and don’t think twice about. I know when I have my time of the month, I crave some strange things at the same time. One woman told Bustle, “My mom likes to tell the story of how she knew she was pregnant with me. She was at her mother-in-law’s house when she asked my dad to get her a banana with lemon juice. My grandmother looked at her and asked point blank ‘are you pregnant?’ Nine months later, I popped out.”
Peanut Butter In Classic Combinations
My first trimester I ate only peanut butter and jelly on white bread. Second and third trimester, I ate two apples and Skippy creamy peanut butter every day. I tried to give our baby peanut butter right away, and he didn’t love it. Then again, it was the unsalted and unsweetened kind, so really, who would?Jamia P.
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Which Type Of Baby Bottle Should I Buy
If you’re giving your baby expressed or formula milk, you’ll need to buy some bottles. The choice of baby bottles can be overwhelming as there are quite a few options.
When you start bottle feeding, don’t buy loads as your baby may not necessarily like the ones you’ve chosen. Better to start off with a few and, if your baby approves, you can always buy more.
Food Aversions During Pregnancy
During pregnancy, most women will experience the opposite of a food craving, known as food aversion. Aversions are typically towards foods with strong taste, such as animal products, fermented foods including pickles, and spicy foods. Food aversions during pregnancy may also be due to the texture of food, such as something being too sticky or runny. Because each persons experience during pregnancy is unique, so are your food cravings or aversions.
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Why Pregnant Women Have Cravings For Certain Foods
There isn`t a sure answer about this issues that appear in pregnant women, meaning their constant need to crave for certain foods. In fact, some women who are expecting don`t pass through this experience. Even so, researchers tried to offer a few explanations to this problem.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy may alter the taste and smell sense of some pregnant women, thus making her desire for a certain food which otherwise wouldn`t have desired. This would explain why women in menopause pass most of the time through this experience.
Temporary nutritional deficiencies may cause the desire for a certain food. Still, this aspect doesn`t explain why some women tend to crave only for particular foods. Still, a craving for pickles, for example, may indicate a low level of sodium in the blood, while a craving for chocolate may show a deficiency for vitamin B. Cravings for red meat may indicate the body`s necessity for proteins, while cravings for peaches may show a low level of beta-carotene in the organism.
Emotional needs are known to be related to food consumption. A pregnant woman can crave for a specific food, consciously or unconsciously, as a response to emotional needs. A lot of women tend to eat nostalgic foods, meaning those that remind them of childhood or religion . More info!
