If you crave sweets during pregnancy
Food cravings during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Food cravings during pregnancy | Pregnancy Birth and Baby beginning of content4-minute read
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What are food cravings?
Food cravings are sudden urges to eat a certain type of food or non-food (pica). They are a real experience and affect many females during pregnancy.
Sometimes you might crave common foods such as chocolate cake or apples. Sometimes you might want to eat unusual food combinations or a foods that you normally don’t like.
Common food cravings include ice cream, chocolate, other sweet foods, fish, dairy products, and fruit.
Why do cravings develop?
No one really knows why food cravings develop. However, there is no evidence of a link between cravings and nutrient deficiency.
Many pregnant women also develop a sudden dislike for certain strong-tasting and strong-smelling foods.
Food cravings and sudden food dislikes may have something to with the effects of pregnancy hormones, which can change the way some foods taste and smell.
What to do about food cravings
It is OK to give in to the occasional food craving, as long as you continue to eat a good variety of healthy foods.
If you are craving a lot of unhealthy foods, such as sweets or chocolate, try not to over-indulge. Too much sugar can cause excessive weight gain and dental problems. Also, if you have gestational diabetes, it won’t help you manage your condition.
Your doctor, midwife, dietitian or maternal and child health nurse can provide more information about healthy weight gain during pregnancy. Generally, a healthy weight gain during pregnancy is 5kg to 12kg, depending on your starting weight.
Some tips for managing cravings
The following suggestions will help you to manage your food cravings:
- eat regular, healthy meals, to help prevent sudden feelings of hunger
- keep your pantry stocked with healthy snacks
- don’t do the grocery shopping when you are hungry
- choose healthy, low glycaemic index (GI) foods that keep you full for longer (such as unsweetened rolled oats (porridge), wholegrain breads, baked beans, and fresh fruit)
- get plenty of sleep (research has shown that people who are sleep deprived tend to crave junk food more often than healthy foods)
- remain physically active
- drink plenty of water
- clean your teeth regularly
If you would like to learn more about nutritional needs during your pregnancy you can see a dietitian.
What foods should I avoid?
When you are pregnant, there are a few foods that you should avoid.
Things like:
- raw or unpasteurised dairy products
- soft cheeses e.g. brie, goats cheese
- sushi
- raw eggs
- pate, meat spreads and smoked seafood
- ready to eat sliced deli meats
- undercooked food – especially meat
These can contain harmful bacteria, including salmonella and E. coli. and lead to harmful illnesses such as listeria or toxoplasmosis.
Make sure you prepare and store foods safely.
Read more about the foods to avoid during your pregnancy.
Alcohol
There is no safe level of alcohol that you can drink during your pregnancy. Alcohol can harm your unborn baby.
Whether you are planning a pregnancy, already pregnant or breastfeeding, not drinking is the safest option.
Non-food cravings
Some pregnant women develop a craving to eat substances that are not food, such as chalk, clay, laundry starch or soap. This is a condition called pica.
Pica may indicate a mineral deficiency or severe anaemia. Pica is rare in well-nourished women from developed countries such as Australia.
See your doctor, midwife, or nurse if you develop cravings for non-food items.
Speak to a maternal child health nurse
Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available 7am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week.
Sources:
NSW Health (Common concerns in pregnancy), Australian Government Department of Health (Your Healthy Pregnancy), Dietitians Australia (Pregnancy and breastfeeding), Australian Government Department of Health (Healthy eating during your pregnancy)Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.
Last reviewed: June 2022
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Related pages
- Foods to avoid when pregnant
- Guide to food and drink during pregnancy
- Healthy diet during pregnancy
- Food preparation and safety
- Alcohol and pregnancy
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Craving Sweets When Pregnant? What it Might Mean
Nothing is more ubiquitous with pregnancy than cravings for sweets. Whether you are craving candies, ice cream, bakery, or other desserts, it is natural to wonder if these cravings are simply delicious or a sign of something more.
Cravings for sweets are incredibly common during pregnancy, and may not have a specific meaning. As long as you continue to enjoy your regular balanced diet in addition, honoring these cravings and enjoying the sweets you crave is perfectly healthy.
Like other cravings, there is no clear answer on what exactly cravings mean- but there are a few hypotheses! Continue reading to find out what scientists think might be behind dessert cravings and if a hankering for sweets can give any hints about your pregnancy.
Covered in this Article:
What Does Craving Sweets While Pregnant Mean?Depending on where you are in the world, ‘sweets’ takes on a few different meanings.
In the UK, sweets are typically candies while US readers likely think of cookies and cake. Even ice cream and jello (jelly) are part of this broad category. Regardless of what type of dessert comes to mind, cravings for sweets are incredibly popular during pregnancy.
If you are constantly craving sweets, you might also be wondering what your cravings might mean.
While there is no exact answer to what causes cravings, the four main hypotheses for pregnancy-related cravings are:
1) caused by hormone changes
2) your body’s way of telling you about a nutrient deficiency
3) cultural and social factors, and
4) a response to the body’s desire for a compound in the food (source: Frontiers in Psychology).
When it comes to cravings for sweets, a few of these factors may contribute. First, during pregnancy, women are more sensitive to bitter tastes (source: Chemical Senses). Therefore, sweets might just taste better.
Pregnancy and cravings, especially those for sweet foods, also go hand-in-hand in many cultures. Movies and TV shows often show pregnant women eating tubs of ice cream. Cravings for sweets might be so expected that your body starts to crave them (source: Hawaii Pacific Health).
Low blood sugar is also another possible meaning. If you have ever accidentally skipped a meal then gone grocery shopping, you likely came home with a few impulse purchases. As the saying goes, everything looks good when you’re hungry.
Sweets are no different. They are typically made up of simple carbohydrates which are easy to digest and give the body quick energy- just what is needed when blood sugar is low.
Desserts are also satisfying. Even if you’ve eaten a full meal, if you are not physically or mentally satisfied with the food you’ve eaten then you may still crave a sweet treat.
Of course, there may also be no reason at all why you are craving sweets, a dessert may just simply sound good to you- and that’s as good a reason as any to indulge!
Is It Normal to Crave Sweets When Pregnant?Studies have long shown that desserts and other sweet-tasting foods, like fruits and juices, are the most common pregnancy-related cravings. These cravings are especially common in women who have had food cravings before they were even pregnant, such as cravings during the menstrual cycle (source: Frontiers in Psychology).
All of that to say, craving sweets during pregnancy is not only common but a normal part of the process!
If you find yourself with a hankering for sweets it is perfectly healthy to enjoy some. Do keep in mind that it is important to have room for your normal, balanced diet full of all of the nutrients baby needs to grow, so it is best to avoid having sweets be the main part of your daily diet.
Women with gestational diabetes should speak with their medical provider or prenatal dietitian to find a plan to balance cravings and blood sugar control while keeping both mom and baby happy.
Gender Myths – Does Craving Sweets Mean a Boy or Girl?For couples waiting to find out the gender of their new baby, whether at a prenatal scan or in the delivery room, the anticipation of learning more about their new arrival is unmatched.
Many new parents try everything to guess the sex of their baby ahead of time. Cravings are the center of numerous old wives’ tales thought to hint at a baby’s gender. Sweets cravings are thought to mean that you are carrying a baby girl. However, there’s no science to back this up.
Unfortunately, cravings are not as accurate as a sonographer (the technician who does your prenatal ultrasounds and scans). Whether you crave sweet or salty foods (or no foods at all), there is an equal chance of having a boy or a girl and a craving for sweets does not tell you anything about the baby’s gender.
What About Craving Sweet AND Salty Foods During Pregnancy?When craving strike, sometimes it’s not just for one food, but two! Cravings for both sweet and salty foods at the same time are also not uncommon- just think of the classic pregnancy craving- pickles and ice cream!
When it comes to craving two different types of food, many pregnant women are alarmed at first, especially since this type of craving can lead to wanting more unusual combinations of foods. Just like cravings for sweets and salty snacks alone, cravings for sweet and salty combinations can be a totally normal part of a healthy pregnancy.
As for the cause? It is likely that your cravings are due to the same variety of reasons as cravings for salty or sweet foods alone. Sweet and salty also create a natural culinary balance, so it is possible that cravings for both types of foods is a way to find balance in flavors.
To learn more about cravings for salty and other savory foods, check out our dedicated articles on craving pickles, vinegar, and salt during pregnancy.
Whether you are craving ice cream, candies, chocolate, or the iconic pickles and ice cream combination of sweet and salty, cravings for sweets are one of the most common cravings during pregnancy.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with some useful guidance on what these cravings might mean and ways to incorporate sweets into your healthy pregnancy diet.
This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy. |
Sweet during pregnancy | Is it possible to have sweets and sugar during pregnancy, consumption rate
So, where does the increased need for sweets during pregnancy come from?
First, the craving for sweets during pregnancy may be due to a lack of endorphins - the hormones of happiness and pleasure. On the one hand, this assumption looks strange during the period of expectation of the baby, on the other hand, hormone surges, followed by mood swings - a classic picture. Frustrated or anxious? The hand itself reaches for the chocolate bar. nine0003
Alternative solution:
Take up an interesting hobby, spend more time with friends, watch positive films - use inedible ways to improve your mood.
Secondly, such a craving can be explained by the needs of the body. Energy costs have increased, and they need to be replenished. The fastest way is to eat something sweet. Marmalade, sugar, cookies are all simple carbohydrates that are digested at a high speed. They give a quick feeling of fullness, however, very short-lived. nine0003
Alternative solution:
switch to fractional meals - eat more often, but in small portions. Make adjustments to the diet itself: buckwheat, oats, brown rice, beans, pasta from durum wheat varieties are also carbohydrates, but complex. They are also suppliers of sugar, but do not lead to its sharp jump in the blood. And, what is especially important, these substances are digested more slowly than sweets, marshmallows, jams and retain a feeling of satiety for a long time.
And, finally, a deficiency of minerals and trace elements can provoke an increased need for sugar. nine0003
Alternative solution:
Eat more calcium-rich foods (natural yogurt, herbs, cottage cheese, etc.) in your diet - this simple measure can often help reduce sugar cravings during pregnancy. And prepare healthy snacks - berries, cheesecakes, vegetable chips and bars - this will help you quickly “kill” your appetite without harm to weight and health.
What is the danger of sugar in the diet of a pregnant woman?
If you lean too much on sugar and sweets during pregnancy, then weight gain will increase faster and more actively than you would like. And this can cause not only aesthetic discomfort, but also become a serious burden on the spine and joints. In addition, calcium will begin to be washed out and vitamin B1 will be lost, and, as a result, problems with teeth and liver may occur. nine0003
Also, if there are prerequisites, eating too much sweets during pregnancy can provoke diabetes mellitus in pregnant women, arterial hypertension and digestive disorders, including bloating and pain in the left hypochondrium.
And, finally, with the abuse of chocolate, there is a risk of congenital food allergies in the baby!
It turns out that sweets in the diet of pregnant women are an absolute evil? But no! If you really want sweets and it’s simply impossible to calmly walk past a bar of chocolate, you don’t need to restrain yourself. Just choose chocolate with a high cocoa content and try to limit yourself to 2-3 pieces. nine0003
And, finally, the most important question - rolls, cakes, pastries are not allowed, but what sweets can you eat during pregnancy?
- Dried fruits - dried apples, raisins, prunes, figs, dried apricots, dates.
- Honey, but only for those who are not allergic to bee products.
- Natural marmalade and marshmallows - ideally homemade.
- Berries, fruits and vegetables are a great alternative to confectionery. However, this advice does not apply to juices and smoothies, it is recommended to focus on products in their natural form. nine0036
- Jelly from fruit compotes and juices without added sugar.
The norm of sugar consumption during pregnancy - what is it?
The daily intake of carbohydrates in a pregnant woman ranges from 325 to 450 grams, the rate of sugar intake during pregnancy should not exceed 40-50 grams.
Is it possible to sugar during pregnancy or is it better to replace it with special additives, what is more harmful and what is more useful?
Expectant mothers address this question to their gynecologist quite often. In the modern world, there are a huge number of various sweeteners, the effect of most of which on the fetus has not been studied. Therefore, it is definitely not worth abusing them. When choosing an alternative to sugar during pregnancy, it is recommended to give preference to natural supplements, such as stevia. nine0003
Thus, the answer to the question “is it possible to have sweets during pregnancy” is yes! The main thing is to choose the right desserts and remember that this is a great end to the meal, and not a complete replacement for it!
- Pediatrician
- Author of the books “First aid for children”, “Medicines. Big Encyclopedia" and articles about children's health.
- Project consultant for HealthMail.ru, Baby.ru and Babyblog.ru
Others author articles
Why do you want sweets so much during pregnancy? Why do you want sweets during pregnancy. Is it possible to eat sweets during pregnancy
Finally, the time has come when you can eat cakes, pastries and sweets - isn't that what you think during pregnancy? We hasten to disappoint you, the above sweets contain fast carbohydrates, which sharply increase blood sugar levels, and then it drops sharply, which provokes another “attack” of appetite. In addition, such sweets are very high in calories, so they are deposited in the form of adipose tissue. Naturally, a woman's weight gain is reflected in the baby's weight gain, which can cause complications during childbirth. nine0003
Why do you crave sweets during pregnancy?
The female body itself tells what vitamins and minerals it needs now. Any food cravings says something, for example, if you are drawn to spicy food, this is a symptom that the hemoglobin level in the blood of a pregnant woman is lowered, if you cannot live without sweets, most likely the reason is psychological or mental strain. It turns out that the pregnant body "comforts" itself with sweets.
Sweet during pregnancy: 5 tasty and healthy options
And yes, you can have sweets during pregnancy, but you need to look for an alternative to chocolate, sweets and cakes. Moreover, the following 5 options for sweets can be found in every kitchen.
Bananas
Eating one banana will satisfy your body's need for sweets. In addition, the product contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, fluorine, sodium, as well as fiber, pectin, beta-carotene and B vitamins. Bananas can be consumed as a snack or smoothies.
Honey tea
This is perhaps the easiest way to satisfy your body's need for sweets during pregnancy. Give preference to natural black or green tea and without flavorings. Do not prepare a strong drink. You can use it with honey, if there are no contraindications, as well as with sugar (but do not get carried away with empty calories).
Dried fruits during pregnancy
Are you craving sweets during pregnancy? We save the figure with dried fruits. You can cook delicious and healthy sweets: figs, dates, dried apricots, beat 5 mint leaves in a blender, form balls and roll in sesame seeds or seeds. You can also add a walnut inside. 10 minutes and healthy sweets are ready! nine0003
If you have a quality product (you need to read the composition on the label), then the composition will contain only natural ingredients: fruit and berry puree, agar syrup, egg white, sugar, etc. No fragrances included! And yes, the expiration date is no more than five days.
Dark natural chocolate
This is also a good option during pregnancy, but it is recommended to eat up to 10 g per day, as it can increase blood pressure.
If you crave sweets, also remember about berries and fruits that contain fructose. They can be eaten fresh, made into smoothies, frozen into ice cream, and made into salads with Greek yogurt. nine0003
According to experts' research, increased sugar cravings in pregnant women are associated with mental stress, stress, and emotional stress. The desire to consume culinary sweets is explained by psychological factors.
According to experts' research, increased sugar cravings in pregnant women are associated with mental stress and emotional stress. The desire to consume culinary sweets is explained by psychological factors.
Benefits and harms of sweets
Cakes, sweet buns are energy products due to their high content of carbohydrates. But the calories in large quantities contained in such products do not saturate the body, do not benefit. During their consumption, the deposition of adipose tissue occurs, which leads to an increase in the weight of the fetus and. After birth, a baby may develop an allergic rash. If you want to eat a cake or a bun too much, then it is important to take into account the allowable amount of carbohydrates consumed during a certain period of pregnancy. So, in the first half of the term, up to 450 g of the daily allowance is allowed, in the second - no more than 400 g can be consumed.
Instead of buns, nutritionists recommend eating chocolate, which contains many useful components (vitamins B, A, sodium, etc.). They have a positive effect on the body of the expectant mother and child. After a woman consumes chocolate sweets, the baby in the womb feels a pleasant taste that comes with amniotic fluid.
But you should gradually reduce the consumption of sweets from the second trimester. It is advisable to eat vegetables and fruits at this time, which contain more nutrients than rich or chocolate products. It is useful to eat carrots, apples, berries, including frozen, dried fruits. Of course, chocolate quickly cheers up and calms, but it may contain unhealthy preservatives and dyes. Therefore, it is better to refrain from such a dessert, and cook sweetness at home. It is important to know that an excess of sweets eaten can cause a sharp drop in blood sugar levels. nine0003
An alternative to store-bought sweets
Specialists recommend that pregnant women prepare sweets at home. Today there are a large number of recipes for dishes that can be consumed within reasonable limits. One of the healthy and delicious homemade desserts is ice cream, which is made from yogurt and fruit. Homemade marshmallows made from dried fruits, gozinaki made from oatmeal, honey and nuts, fruit jelly have useful properties. If there is an acute desire to eat sweets during pregnancy, then it is quite possible that the expectant mother is experiencing tension and stress. In such cases, you should not tirelessly eat sweet foods, but try to switch to useful things. It is important to receive in the process of work more positive emotions that are transmitted to the baby in the womb. If you have not been able to do something before, then try to realize your dreams. For example, learn how to make toys with your own hands, sew a blanket for a future baby, clothes. Finding classes of interest today is not difficult and practically accessible to every woman. In particular, you can sign up for swimming, which will help you cope with stress and relax as much as possible. You should often go for walks in the fresh air, which will be useful for mom and baby. Listen to your favorite music, start drawing. All available pleasures are not dangerous for the health of the child and the expectant mother, do not cause allergies, weight gain and other problems. nine0003
For proper nutrition, a balanced diet, it is important to heed the advice of experts:
- replace sweets containing harmful preservatives and components with fruits, berries, honey;
- eat nuts, occasional marmalade, marshmallows, fruit jellies, whole grain crackers;
- dishes, in order to preserve their natural properties, should be steamed, preferably in a double boiler;
- fruit to cook without sugar.
Get more positive emotions from your favorite activities, which will significantly reduce the desire to consume sweets. Try to look for more reasons for a joyful, happy mood, which will be very useful for your body and baby. Pregnancy of a woman is one of the main and most joyful events in her life, which gives a reason to be constantly in a great mood. nine0003
Special for - Maria Dulina
During pregnancy, women often begin to experience strong cravings for sweets. But many are concerned about the question of how useful or harmful it is for the body. To answer it, you need to figure out what sweets are in general.
Sweets
There are quite a lot of sweet foods. Conventionally, they can be divided into several large groups:
- Sweet pastries.
- Sweets. nine0036
- Chocolate.
- Fruits, berries and sweet vegetables.
No wonder that cravings for sweets occur during pregnancy. Indeed, in all these products there are a lot of quickly digestible carbohydrates, namely they are the main supplier of glucose.
This substance provides energy to all cells of the female body. Moreover, glucose is spent on the development and growth of the child. During pregnancy, the need for it doubles and ordinary foods are not always able to fill the energy deficit. nine0003
When there is a lack of glucose in the body, the following symptoms occur:
- An acute feeling of hunger.
- Desire to eat something sweet.
- Severe weakness.
- Trembling in the hands.
- Irritability.
- Sometimes fainting may even occur.
That is why the increased need for glucose during childbearing should not be ignored. However, not all foods are suitable for satisfying sugar cravings.
Sweet pastries
This group includes various rolls, biscuits, rolls, pastries and cakes. For many expectant mothers, they are a favorite treat. And this is not surprising. Such pastries contain a lot of carbohydrates combined with fats. And this means that they will very quickly turn into glucose.
Moreover, the carbohydrates in these products are easily digestible, that is, the feeling of hunger and the need for sweets is easily satisfied. And, of course, the taste of baking is its main advantage. However, we should not forget about the dangers of such products. nine0003
Harmful baking
Sweet buns and cakes, both during pregnancy and beyond, cannot be attributed to uniquely healthy and healthy food. And often their advantages are blocked by the harmful effects on the woman's body.
Firstly, they contain a lot of fat, which can adversely affect weight gain and even cause obesity. Almost all women during pregnancy gain extra pounds, but sometimes they are too much. Excess fat does not benefit the pancreas and may well provoke its inflammation, exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. nine0003
Secondly, fast satiety leads to skipping the main meals. Expectant mothers often use sweet pastries as a snack, but after it they don’t feel like soup or stew.
Thirdly, the simultaneous intake of a large amount of carbohydrates in the body causes a sharp release of insulin, which will later appear again as a craving for sweets. And there will be a vicious circle.
And, fourthly, there is a huge amount of harmful substances in store baked goods - animal fats, margarine, preservatives, stabilizers, flavors and flavor enhancers. And they definitely have no place in the diet of the expectant mother. nine0003
However, all of the above does not mean that you should forget about cakes, buns and cookies during pregnancy. Sometimes they are simply indispensable for quickly satisfying hunger. And positive emotions from delicious food are also good for mom and baby.
However, the consumption of such food should be kept to a minimum and only homemade cakes should be preferred. But even it should be eaten in reasonable quantities, and not every time you want.
Sweets
There are different kinds of sweets – chocolate, wafer, caramel, lollipops. However, all of them are united by the lack of useful properties during pregnancy.
Almost all sweets contain a large amount of sugar, which explains their attraction for children and expectant mothers.
But they are harmful to the body. Too much candy will impair glucose receptor sensitivity and insulin production. They can damage teeth and contribute to the spread of cavities. nine0003
Unlike baking, sweets create the illusion of fullness, because fast carbohydrates alone cannot fully satisfy hunger. However, these sweets are very conducive to weight gain, and often even more than pastries.
When will sweets be useful? If the expectant mother really wants to treat herself to something sweet, to feel a pleasant taste, she can afford one or two sweets.
However, you should try not to get carried away with them and not to eat sweets during pregnancy on an empty stomach, as this can provoke an increase in toxicosis, nausea and vomiting. nine0003
Chocolate
Not everything sweet during pregnancy should be feared. Regarding chocolate, the opinions of doctors are ambiguous.
On the one hand, chocolate is rich in sugars and fats and promotes weight gain.
But, on the other hand, its useful properties have long been known. Chocolate calms and returns a good mood, provides only positive emotions. This delicacy can rightly be called a sweet antidepressant.
Chocolate is indispensable in a situation where hunger overtakes the expectant mother suddenly, and there is no way to eat fully. The best solution is to always carry a small bar of chocolate with you. This is especially true in the last weeks of pregnancy, when the need for sweets increases significantly, and you constantly want to eat. nine0003
Is it possible to eat chocolate often while carrying a child? Of course, they should not be abused. When there is too much sweet in the diet, it will not benefit the woman. In some situations, this even contributes to the exacerbation of candidiasis, which is not only highly undesirable during pregnancy, but also causes severe discomfort in the genital area.
However, treat yourself to quality chocolate a few times a week is perfectly acceptable. The main thing is not to buy cheap sweets, where most of the cocoa is replaced by palm oil. nine0003
Fruits, berries, sweet vegetables
Not only fruits and berries are classified as sweets. Fresh carrots are also a delicacy for many women. In addition, it can reduce the symptoms of heartburn, which often bother expectant mothers in the third trimester.
It would seem that natural products can be eaten without any restrictions, but in practice this is not entirely true. Why might they be harmful?
For these sweets to be truly beneficial, the following conditions must be met:
- Consume only seasonal fruits, vegetables and berries. To get sweet vitamins in winter, you can use the freezer.
- Do not abuse quantity. Even ordinary carrots can cause carotene jaundice when overeating.
- Avoid citrus and exotic fruits. It is better to eat fruits that grow in the region and are more familiar.
Unfortunately, modern fruits and vegetables are often grown with various fertilizers. And even natural sweets bought in season can harm your health. But in the conditions of the city, it is usually impossible to grow apples or raspberries on your own, so you need to carefully monitor the quality of store or market fruits and vegetables. nine0003
However, sometimes expectant mothers are worried about the opposite situation, when they are not at all attracted to sweets. Should I be worried about this? And why is this happening?
Lack of cravings for sweets
If a woman does not want sweets, there is nothing wrong with that. This means that her body receives enough carbohydrates from other foods. And even when the need for glucose increases, it is immediately satisfied.
This is often observed in expectant mothers who are accustomed to proper nutrition. They have certain, long-formed food addictions, and even pregnancy does not change them. nine0003
In addition, there are women who simply do not like pastries, sweets and chocolate, and these products are always missing from their diet. When carrying a child, there is no desire to try them.
Lack of cravings for sweets during this period is normal and should not worry the mother-to-be.
Signs
Even signs of pregnancy are associated with addiction to sweets. Usually, if a woman cannot live without buns and sweets, she is predicted to have a daughter. For boys, there are other observations. It is believed that sons are born to women who are very fond of meat dishes. nine0003
Doctors regard such signs as fiction. None of them are true. The gender of the baby and food preferences during pregnancy are not related. Therefore, you should not buy pink clothes if your whole pregnancy is drawn to sweets. The probability of having a daughter in such a situation is only 50%.
Craving for sweets during pregnancy is a normal and physiological phenomenon. However, it is not always necessary to blindly follow your desires. In the use of sweets during this period, you must listen to common sense. nine0003
The first signs of pregnancy, in addition to the delay in menstruation, include changes in eating habits. There are many stories of women only thinking about the possibility of pregnancy after noticing a change in their perception of food. Many women are puzzled why such metamorphoses occur during pregnancy. In fact, there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this phenomenon. During pregnancy, a woman may not have enough of any nutrients. The body begins to give peculiar signals, forming a desire for a certain type of food. nine0003
It is believed that if a woman wants chalk, she lacks calcium. If there is a desire to taste activated charcoal, then perhaps we are talking about slagging of the body. But the need for sweets is due more to psychological than physiological processes. During pregnancy, a woman subconsciously seeks positive emotions. Sweet foods, especially chocolate, are ways to increase the body's level of serotonin, which is considered the hormone of happiness.
What to do when you want something sweet?
Excessive consumption of sugary foods can harm your health and cause rapid weight gain. But this does not mean that a pregnant woman should infringe on her desires. If you want sweets in the presence of pregnancy, then you should go towards your desires. But it is necessary to give preference to those products that are most beneficial to health. In this case, fruits, curd desserts, jelly sweets, etc. can be a good alternative. They contain a sufficient amount of glucose and, at the same time, benefit the body, saturating it with energy and useful substances. The level of BJU of some products can be traced in the table. nine0003
In order for a woman to stop craving sweets, she must receive a sufficient amount of positive emotions. Therefore, experts recommend less nervous and more walks in the fresh air. In addition, do not forget about taking vitamin complexes. They are prescribed by a gynecologist who monitors pregnancy.
How is it related to gender?
It is believed that taste preferences during pregnancy may indicate the sex of the child. It is believed that if during pregnancy you want sweets, then a girl will be born to a woman. This statement is not supported by scientific facts. However, statistics show that in most cases it works. Any woman wants to know for sure who will be born. An ultrasound scan can only determine the sex from the 15th week of pregnancy. The entire period up to this time, a woman has only to guess what gender the child will be. Any methods are used, including folk signs. nine0003
Some women find that a special diet can help plan for a baby of a certain gender. According to this technique, if you eat more sweet food, then a girl will be born. In fact, the chromosomes of the sperm cell are responsible for the sex of a person. XX is female and XY is male. Scientists have not found a relationship between the future sex of the child and the woman's diet .
Allergic reaction
Sometimes it happens that a woman wants sweets, but after she has satisfied her desire, she has an allergic reaction. In this case, itching, skin rashes or swelling may occur. In this situation, a woman should completely give up sweets and see a dermatologist. During pregnancy, the body's defense mechanisms weaken. Any substance can provoke an allergic reaction. Therefore, it is very important to identify the source of irritation as soon as possible. This is necessary in order to protect the woman and her child. Recently, very often children are born with an existing predisposition to allergies. Its acquisition occurs even at the stage of bearing a child. nine0003
Unusual taste preferences of pregnant women are legendary. Probably everyone has heard stories about women eating chalk or coal. Any strong desire for something unusual indicates a lack of essential vitamins and minerals in the body of the expectant mother. In these cases, the attending physician will help to choose the right diet (and maybe medications), with whom you should definitely consult about sudden taste preferences.
Fortunately, most often you still want something familiar: fruits, ice cream and, of course, sweets. For many expectant mothers, the craving for sweets goes beyond all limits, forcing them to eat marmalade, marshmallows, and chocolate in packages. Why do you want sweets so much during pregnancy? nine0003
Most often, not because of the body's need for glucose, as many people think, justifying excessive passion for cakes and sweets, but because of emotional discomfort. Of course, pregnancy is an unforgettable time, but it is also a time of anxiety and doubt. Eaten chocolate is for many a proven way to cheer yourself up and calm down. Unfortunately, industrial sweets do not always contain useful dyes and preservatives, so it is better for a pregnant woman to refrain from using them. In addition, eaten sweet causes sharp drops in blood sugar levels. nine0003
It is much more useful for a future mother to prepare healthy sweets at home. Make homemade ice cream from yogurt and fruit, from frozen fruit juice. You can make homemade marshmallows from dried fruits, fruit jelly - there are many safe sweet recipes.
The answer to the question why you crave sweets so much during pregnancy is that your body is used to an additional source of positive emotions. It is in your power to replace this source with something that will bring great benefits and bring no less pleasure. nine0003
Try to get more positive impressions. As a rule, everything related to the future baby cheers up. There is nothing more pleasant than choosing a name, preparing a children's room. Throw away superstitions - how nice it is to sew clothes, a blanket for an unborn baby. And how many educational toys you can make with your own hands. After giving birth, you will no longer have time for this.
Engage in stress-relieving activities: draw, listen to music, take a walk.