Cravings and Aversions
It's still early on, but I thought I'd take a minute to catalogue the different cravings and aversions I've had with food. It's a common question, along with "Have you had any naseau?" and "How are you feeling?"
I haven't had that many incredibly strong cravings where I'm asking Dave to drive to the store (though there was that one time...). Mostly, my cravings have tended to be the type of wanting only that which I already like. And because Dave is willing to put up with more of that than he would did I not have an excuse, it works out well for me.
Cravings:
- Salt
- Vinegar
- Salt & Vinegar
- Mustard
- Ponzu Sauce/Sunomono
- Mexican cuisine
- Japanese cuisine
- Starches (potatoes in any form, pasta and even sushi rice)
When it comes to sweets, I've always been a sucker for chocolate but never really craved it hardcore. I didn't have to have dessert after a meal, or anything like that. However, I've been eating a lot more sweets now. I was discussing this with another pregnant woman and we were trying to decide if it was because we really wanted it more, now, or because we unconsciously (or even conciously) thought we could get away with it more now. The jury's still out, but feel free to bring me a plate of brownies any time and I'll be yours.
Cravings:
- Brownies
- Chocolate Cake
- Popsicles
- Ice Cream
In terms of aversions, that's where I've been more surprised. These are all things I've eaten lots of in the past and relied on as standard, easy to prepare foods. I just can't bring myself to eat them like I used to.
Aversions:
- Marinated meat, which ends up tasting chemical-y
- Vegetables, especially brocolli, which is an old favorite of mine
And I've also recently been really attracted to highly-processed foods.
Cravings:
- Chef Boy-ar-Dee
- Mac and Cheese
Ok, that's it for now. I'll add more as I think of them.
Comments
Definitely agree here. In the height of my *cravings* period - I didn't feel like there was anything particularly weird that I wanted, but my desire to have certain foods that I already liked seemed to intensify. I wanted McDonalds (which I've always liked, but usually avoid like the plague), processed foods like Mac & Cheese, TUNA SUBS and milk from Subway was my biggest weakness. I am not usually a sweets person, but I too found myself a little helpless with my desire for it. I've had ice cream I think every night for the last 7 months. I would have to say that I don't think I've been eating such things because I have an *excuse*, it's more that my desire for them could be almost overwhelming - far more than usual. Much harder to exercise restraint. I'm sure that is coupled with a conscious or subconscious twinge of, "Well, I am pregnant.."
As for food aversions - I was right there with you - MEAT, ugh! And vegetables esp green ones. Salad were absolutely repulsive!! Literally like a bowl of grass. The first time I noticed was when I made these lovely grilled chicken salads for me, Will & Ingrid back in March. I took two bites and had to make myself a sandwich. I swear I think I did not touch a vegetable for about 2 mos.
I got over all of this at some point around July maybe (5 mos)?
But I thought I'd offer you some fun tidbits I've picked up re: the cravings issue. First, indulge the craving for chocolate whenever you can! Why? Because according to the pediatrician who runs the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at Southpoint Mall (my source for excellent fudge), "mothers who eat lots of chocolate during their pregnancies give birth to babies who laugh and smile more than other babies."
Second, the aversions have an evolutionary purpose. We eat things that are weird for us all the time, but as adults (and even children) we have a much more advanced ability to cope with them than would a fetus. The gag reflex (triggered by both visual and inhaled stimuli) and aversions are our baby's way of communicating to us that the particular food would likely do more harm than good on that particular day.
The cravings, conversely, are an indicator that there's some actual nutritional need that should be filled. Hence, a craving for any of a number of dairy sources might indicate that calcium supplies are low, whereas, an insatiable urge to eat ice-cream and only ice-cream likely indicates that the iron and fat sources are lower than ideal. Chocolate cravings may be related to fluctuating horomones and seratonin.
So, I gleefully follow the advice of the nurse at my OB's, which is that cravings are every bit as much a form of communication as a baby's cry will one day be, and it's my right - neigh, my duty to indulge! Ohhhhh, how I love cravings!