When Does Craving Start During Pregnancy

It’s all too familiar to all of us to crave a craving in the middle of the night and send her partner out to find some food as soon as she has it. So, does craving really exist during pregnancy? When does craving start during pregnancy? We told it for you!

What does craving mean?

Craving means an intense craving for certain foods. However, there is no rule that craving during pregnancy will happen as soon as possible and suddenly. This is usually the case, but it can take a long time. Or you may crave foods that you never liked before like crazy during your pregnancy, and you may crave some foods without changing your taste buds.

What causes cravings in pregnancy?

Experts think pregnancy hormones can cause cravings. Moreover, considering that craving is more common in the first trimester, this inference seems logical. Because the first trimester is the period when pregnancy hormones change the fastest.

The story may not be all about hormones, however. There is a theory that craving is a plausible signal our body sends, that if something is disgusting to us it is usually harmful, and if we are craving something we usually need it. This is usually true.

But the problem starts with the mixing of hormones. When your hormones get mixed up, it becomes harder for you to properly understand the signals in your body. For example, a pregnant woman who wanted sweets on days when candy and wafers were not sold was probably picking fruit from the bushes. But now he buys a pack of chocolates, candy, wafers, etc. So craving ice cream doesn’t mean your body needs saturated fat. Likewise, if you don’t like citrus fruits, it doesn’t mean your body doesn’t need vitamin C.

Also, one of the emotions many pregnant women feel is a sense of entitlement or reward. You’re carrying the baby, your body is going through a lot of changes, you need extra calories anyway, why not have the right to gorge on certain things? So there is a psychological dimension to this as well.

When does craving start during pregnancy?

There is no clear information about the onset of craving. But if we have to say at what week craving begins , craving usually occurs in the 12th week of pregnancy, that is, in the 1st trimester .

When does craving during pregnancy end?

It usually decreases or disappears in the 4th month of pregnancy. Cravings that last longer can be caused by iron deficiency and its resultant anemia. If the craving continues into the second trimester , you should see your doctor.

Is it normal to not have cravings during pregnancy?

As we said, your taste and desires will probably change due to pregnancy hormones and you will experience the craving. But not craving is not a problem. There is no rule that every pregnant woman will crave, otherwise she will be expelled from the pregnant women’s society.

What happens if we don’t eat what we crave during pregnancy?

As a result of craving, there is no harm in not eating the food you want. In fact, contrary to popular belief, there is no benefit in eating craving foods. Although it is said in some regions that if the craving food is not eaten, there will be disability or spots on the baby’s skin, these are completely false beliefs.

How to deal with cravings without gaining weight?

No room for empty calories! Sometimes it doesn’t hurt to loosen the ropes, but sometimes!

Distinguish between physical hunger and psychological hunger

Are you really hungry or are you sad, bored, stressed or happy? If you’re really hungry, have a snack or meal. If you’re not, try to pass it off, focus your attention on something else.

distract yourself, distract yourself

We said it’s a pass above, but how will you do it? If you’re not really hungry, indulge in a certain activity. You can call your friend, you can go for a walk, you can exercise. Most of the time, this works, but if you still remember that food you crave, have it for your next meal or as a snack.

Decide what you really want

Craving sweet treats during pregnancy is common. But you shouldn’t be greedy about it. For example, if you want strawberry pudding, ask yourself what you really want. Do you crave strawberries or crave the sweet, cold, creamy taste of pudding? Can’t satisfy your cravings with fresh berries or whipped cream? How about half a bowl of strawberry sorbet or low-fat ice cream? There are definitely healthier, nutritious and low-calorie options that you can replace.

Replace with the healthiest

If you’re craving potato chips, eating low-fat popcorn can cut you off, too. If you’re craving chocolate, you can have chocolate frozen yogurt instead of ice cream or chocolate bars. But if the food you want doesn’t have a good alternative, don’t change it. For example, eating cucumbers instead of pickles during pregnancy will not satisfy you. Eat that pickle and that’s it.

Eat a balanced and healthy diet

If you only eat carbs, you may find yourself craving steak. Have some carbs, some protein, some fat at every meal. Consume a variety of grains, fruits and vegetables.

Be aware of your portions

When eating high-calorie foods such as cake, ice cream, chocolate, cookies, chips, be aware of your portions, do not fool yourself. Eat slowly, enjoy every bite.

Avoid situations that trigger your cravings

If your favorite bakery is on your way home from work, use another way to curb cravings. Ask your spouse and relatives not to eat such foods that will tempt you.

Relax and pamper yourself

If you are more tired than usual, if you are not sleeping well, you will want to eat more for energy. Get a massage or pedicure, take a nap, put your feet up and read a good book.

What are the foods you crave during pregnancy?

food cravings during pregnancy	%
Sour fruits (Plum, lemon, waterfall, cherry, grapefruit, tangerine, kiwi)	42.2
Dessert (Ice cream, chocolate, pastries, ashura, cake, vegetable and fruit desserts, cookies)	17.9
Salty foods (Pickles, olives, crackers, chips)	12.7
Spicy foods (Pickled hot peppers, raw meatballs, turnips)	5.8
Other fruits (Melon, mulberry, apricot, maltese, date)	5.1
Meat, chicken, offal	3.5
Green leafy vegetables (cress, mint, parsley, vine leaves)	3.2
Milk and its derivatives (Yogurt, tzatziki)	2.9
Other vegetables (Tomato, cucumber, eggplant)	2.6
Pastries (Mantı, börek, pastry)	1.9
Dried Nuts (Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, Almonds)	1.7
Other craving weird foods (Soil, lime)	0.5

Foods that are disgusted or undesirable during pregnancy

Undesirable foods during pregnancy	%
Meat, chicken, fish	37
Fatty foods, fries	10.7
Onion, Garlic	13
Tea, coffee	12.6
Egg	6.9
milk, yoghurt	4.6
Desserts	5.7
Other	9.5

The reasons for not eating foods are as follows:

• Total (% 48.1)
• Nausea-disgust (35.5%),
• The thought that it will harm the baby (16.4%).