When pregnancy has you hankering for a plate of deep-fried pickles ““ even though you hate pickles ““ or a fast-food hamburger ““ even though you usually try to avoid that kind of processed fare, you might find yourself wondering, “What’s the deal?”
The “deal” is that most pregnancy cravings aren’t well founded by research.
The kinds of cravings that leave you begging your husband to make a “very important” potato chip run at 11 p.m. or wanting to dive into a carton of chocolate-chocolate chip ice cream at 2 a.m. should be indulged, but sparingly, said Dr. Susan Oakley, director of pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery with St. Elizabeth Physicians.
“Listen to your cravings because you could be needing protein if you want a hamburger or calcium if you want dairy,” Oakley said, noting that many times, in the beginning of pregnancy, many women have trouble tolerating certain foods anyways because of nausea or an altered sense of taste or smell due to changing hormone levels.
“Anything that stays down is good,” she said.
But it’s important to keep in mind, Oakley added, that the recommended weight gain is only 30 pounds in pregnancy – 20 pounds if you start out overweight and 10 pounds or less if you start the pregnancy obese – and it’s crucial to adhere to those guidelines.
If you don’t, Oakley warned, you could increase your risk of diabetes during or after pregnancy, heart disease, joint damage, and blood pressure or cholesterol issues.
Less run-of-the-mill cravings that do have studies to back up their meaning are those that have you thinking you’d like to eat dirt, clay, ice, laundry detergent or other nonfood items. The condition that produces those kinds of cravings is known as pica, and it’s usually an indicator of an iron deficiency.
Another well-documented craving is increased thirst, Oakley said. Our kidneys are working overtime during pregnancy, leading to additional urination and an increased need for hydration, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of fluids.
