5 Most Common Pregnancy Cravings & What They Mean

When I was pregnant with my firstborn, I couldn’t get enough of popcorn chicken and fried okra. Whereas when I was pregnant with my second daughter, I craved Taco Bell and ice cream sundaes. So it’s safe to say that the experiences were very different. But having said that, there are some common pregnancy cravings that most women can expect to experience!

And that’s what we’ll be diving into today. We’ll discuss what pregnancy cravings are, which ones are most common, what they mean, and even how to do deal with them. So let’s jump right in…

What causes pregnancy cravings?

We don’t know exactly what causes pregnancy cravings, but there are three main things that seem to contribute to them. Those three things are…

• An attempt to avoid foods that cause nausea in the first trimester
• Other physical factors like nutritional deficiencies and hormonal shifts
• And societal norms /psychological reasons

And of course, we’ll get into more specifics about causes as we cover the various meanings of the pregnancy cravings on this list!

What are the most common pregnancy cravings? And what do they mean?

1. Dairy (Specifically ice cream…)

Most pregnant women crave ice cream at one point or another, stereotypically in the middle of the night! And although it’s not hard to see why someone would crave ice cream… There’s still some evidence that shows there could be a reason behind it.

You see, when you’re pregnant your body allocates a lot of nutrients to growing the baby. One of these nutrients is calcium, so many women tend to develop a calcium deficiency while expecting! And this deficiency (or even a less severe lack of calcium) can result in craving foods that will provide you with more. Aka dairy like ice cream, milk, etc.

2. Sweet Foods

Many women also find themselves craving sweets when they’re pregnant. So it’s not unusual for candy, cake, chocolate, etc to suddenly seem very appealing when you’re expecting.

The reason for this particular craving is less obvious than some. Sometimes it’s caused by a sweet tooth that the mother had before pregnancy being intensified by the pregnancy hormones. And sometimes research suggests that it could simply be brought on by a need for more calories.

But for whatever reason, sweets are one of the most common pregnancy cravings out there.

3. Salty Foods

On the other hand, some pregnant women might find salty foods more appealing. Examples include French fries, potato chips, and even pickles!

The cause of this craving is considerably more apparent than with sweets. As it, once again, has to do with nutritional deficits. More specifically, a lack of sodium in the body that’s caused by first-trimester hormones resulting in excessive sodium secretion through urine.

Additionally, your body might want to raise sodium levels in order to retain fluids that are needed for pregnancy.

4. Meat

A lot of women will also find themselves craving meat when pregnant, especially red meat! And this craving actually has a scientific explanation as well!

It all comes down to the fact that red meat contains a lot of iron and protein, which are two nutrients your body desperately needs when pregnant. Because these two things help you create new red blood cells, and when pregnant, you’ll ultimately need to increase your blood volume by almost 50%!

Similarly, women might find themselves drawn to eggs for the protein they provide.

5. Fruit

The last pregnancy craving we’ll be covering today is fruit! But it’s important to note that different people may crave different fruits, and depending on the fruit in question… the cause could vary.

For instance, if you find yourself craving oranges or other citrusy fruits then it could be caused by a need for more vitamin C. Which plays a role in strengthening your baby’s bones, teeth, etc.

Or, if you’re craving apples, it could be because of the energy boost you receive after it causes your blood sugar to rise. Since pregnancy is a tiring thing!

Finally, if you suddenly want to bananas, it could be due to a need for potassium. As this can help manage swelling and cramps caused by pregnancy.

How do you handle pregnancy cravings?

First of all, I want to preface that most of the time… it’s perfectly ok to treat yourself and eat what you’re craving while pregnant! As long as you don’t do it too often, or to the detriment of your health. But having said that, I do know that it can be hard to control your cravings. So here are a few tips…

• Be sure not to let yourself get too hungry. Because when you’re feeling particularly hungry and craving something, it’s extra hard to resist. So eat healthy snacks during the day, stay hydrated, etc…
• You can also give yourself what you want, with control! Such as substituting certain foods with healthier options. Or eating small amounts of the food you want, but not going overboard.
• And finally, if you feel like your cravings are getting really out of control, you can ask your doctor for more options. Because if your cravings are too extreme, it could be a sign that you’re really deficient in something and need help to fix the issue. Listen to your body!

Final Thoughts

Pregnancy cravings are a normal part of expecting, whether you experience the common ones or more unique foods like fried okra. 😂 And in fact, these cravings can actually be some of the first signs of your motherly instinct kicking in. Because it’s your body telling you what you and your baby needs in that moment!

I hope you enjoyed reading this article! And I hope you consider checking out more of my content about motherhood. Including this article on the affects of excessive carbs and sugar in the body.