Food cravings in pregnancy

Crisps dipped in ice cream?... Or perhaps some mushrooms with a bowl of custard?!!

Pregnancy can cause some interesting food cravings!

Most women will experience cravings for certain foods at some point in their pregnancy, the more common being starchy carbohydrates, fruit, ice cream and chocolate.  Others, however, may develop the desire for some unique (and very questionable) flavour combinations.  Whilst they may not sound like the most obvious choices, this is completely normal. 

It is thought that these cravings are due to the hormonal changes your body is going through.  They generally start in the first trimester, peak in the second and resolve by the third, so don't worry you won't keep craving those foods forever.  Indulging in these cravings every now and again is fine, but try and keep them in check to avoid overloading on unhealthy sugary items. 

A small number of women experience more extreme cravings for non food items with no nutritional value such as soil, paper, charcoal or washing up power.  If this lasts for a moth or more the condition is known as pica.  Pica is the Latin name for magpie, a bird that is known for eating pretty much anything, which quite accurately describes this condition!  The compulsion to eat these substances could suggest a nutritional deficiency in iron or zinc, so treatment with medication and vitamins can often help to resolve the cravings. Please speak to your midwife or doctor immediately if you’re experiencing these impulses as ingesting such substances aren't good for you and your healthcare team will be able to run the appropriate tests and support you and your pregnancy.