Have you ever been around a pregnant woman who suddenly starts craving a very weird food combination in the middle of the night that you couldn’t help but search for it at that moment?
Women go through different physical and emotional changes throughout pregnancy.
Cravings are one of those changes that women experience during pregnancy.
While some women desire nutritious foods like fruits and vegetables some have strange or even abnormal food cravings.
From pickles and ice cream to dirt, chalk, and even laundry detergent, strange pregnancy cravings might occur.
Although some individuals may find these desires weird or even repulsive, they are actually a typical aspect of pregnancy for many women.
In this post, we’ll examine some of the most typical weird pregnancy cravings in more detail and consider why the body experiences these wants.
Why Do Pregnant Women Get Cravings?
There are several reasons why pregnant women get cravings which may be due to physiological and hormonal changes amidst several reasons.
While many pregnant women have appetites for typical foods, some women may have stranger or even odder desires.
What Causes Pregnancy Cravings?
About 60 percent of women experience craves for a particular food during the earliest stage of pregnancy.
Craving in pregnant women usually begins during the first trimester.
And there are several reasons why women have cravings during pregnancy; it could be a result of raging hormones, your body working to produce more blood because of the emergence of the fetus, or just the comfort of wanting certain food.
Mostly, pregnancy cravings tend to disappear a few days after delivery as the appetite for such food will naturally die.
The following are some of the most typical strange pregnancy cravings:
Weird Pregnancy Cravings
1. Ice Cream With Pickles
Pickles and ice cream are one of the most well-known unusual desires during pregnancy.
Although it may sound strange, pregnant women frequently crave this unique blend of salty and sweet foods.
According to some experts, pickles’ sour and salty flavor may aid to reduce nausea and morning sickness, while ice cream’s sweetness makes for a delightful treat.
2. Chalk And Dust
Pica is the term for cravings for things other than food, such as dirt, chalk, or even laundry detergent.
Although pica is an unusual inclination and may be hazardous to both the mother and the baby, it is sometimes seen in pregnant women.
Cravings for non-food items may be a sign of nutritional deficiency, such as iron deficiency anemia.
3. Hot And Spicy Foods
During pregnancy, many women have a craving for spicy cuisine. Spicy foods’ heat and flavor may assist to reduce nausea and morning sickness while also bringing pleasure and a sense of contentment.
4. Pickles and Peanut Butter
You may have heard that pickles and peanut butter are a great combination.
Pickles are salty, and peanut butter is sweet, a perfect match! This combination can help the baby’s brain develop in utero.
It also makes for an excellent sandwich when combined with bread or crackers.
If you’re craving this odd combo, don’t worry! Just go ahead and enjoy it.
It won’t harm your baby at all. In fact, some people say that pregnant women should eat more pickles because they contain lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which helps prevent bloating during pregnancy.
5. Sour Foods
Another typical craving among expectant mothers is for sour things like lemons and sour candies. The acidic flavor satisfies the palate while potentially reducing nausea and morning sickness.
6. Red Meat
During pregnancy, many women crave red meat, which may be related to a need for protein and iron. Red meat is a good source of both and can help to support fetal development and growth.
7. Cherries and Chocolate
Cherries and chocolate are a classic combo, but it’s not just because they taste good together.
Cherries are packed with vitamin C, which can help your body fight off infections and keep your immune system healthy.
And chocolate contains caffeine, which can help you sleep better at night.
A big plus during pregnancy is when many women struggle with insomnia or restless sleep.
So if you find yourself craving cherries dipped in chocolate like I sometimes do (and yes, I have tried this), go ahead and indulge!
Your baby will thank you later on when he or she has all the nutrients needed to grow up big and strong!
8. Ice Cream and Mayonnaise
You may be surprised to learn that your pregnancy cravings don’t have to be weird.
Mayonnaise is actually a good choice for pregnant women, as it is high in fat and protein.
This means you can get energy from it, which will help you feel better throughout the day.
Mayo also has calcium, a mineral that helps build strong bones for your baby’s body and teeth (and yours too!).
9. Hot Dogs and Pickles
Hot dogs are a good source of protein, and pickles are a good source of potassium.
To make hot dogs and pickles:
- Put some ketchup on the hot dog
- Put some mustard on the pickle
10. French Fries and Bacon
French fries and bacon are a perfect combination. They’re both salty and sweet, so it’s like having dessert for dinner without the guilt! You can eat them hot or cold, as a side dish or snack, alone or with other foods (like ketchup).
If you’re looking for something different than your usual french fry recipe but still want that crispy goodness, try baking instead of frying your potatoes.
Baking will give them more flavor without being greasy like deep-fried ones can sometimes.
11. Pineapples and Peppermint
This is also one of the weird pregnancy cravings combinations.
Pineapples are rich in digestive enzymes and bromelain, which help you digest food.
Peppermint is known for its ability to alleviate nausea and stomach aches.
Pineapple and peppermint together can help with digestion and prevent nausea, making this an excellent combination to try if you’re suffering from morning sickness or indigestion.
The List of Fruits To Avoid During Pregnancy
You can eat a whole pineapple (or just slice it up), but that might be too much fruit at once.
It’s best to start small! Try eating half a slice at first, then work your way up until you feel comfortable with more pineapple than that.
Uncommon Food Combinations
Weird pregnancy cravings can come with a lot of weird food combinations that wouldn’t sit pretty well with someone who is not pregnant.
It’s nothing to be bothered about as it’s absolutely normal.
Here are some of the lists of weird food combinations during pregnancy
- Boiled eggs and beans
- Tuna fish and chocolate milk
- Peanut butter and rice
If you’re craving non-food items like chalk, dirt, ice, ashes, and corn starch then you might have pica (this is a compulsive eating disorder in which people eat non-food items)
These items can be harmful to your body so, call your doctor immediately if you feel the urge to eat them.
Are Cravings Harmful To Your Baby?
Depending on the level by which you consume certain foods, sometimes such food could be harmful to your baby.
Eating too much food that contains no nutritional value can create a deficiency in your body thereby causing harm to your baby.
This is because; some ingredients could be toxic and the combination of them may have parasitic components.
Although, some weird food cravings may not be in any way harmful to your body or to your baby.
Nevertheless, you should speak to your gynecologist on how to manage your cravings and at the same time reveal the signs of unhealthy health conditions caused by such cravings.
How To Manage Pregnancy Cravings
As a pregnant woman, there are a quite number of things that you may not have control over in the initial stage of your pregnancy and one of them is the cravings that come with being pregnant.
Up to 20 percent of pregnant women experience craving so you’re not alone if you’re dealing with it.
Here are some practical ways to manage your pregnancy cravings.
- Speak to your health professional and know the level of intake your body and baby needs
- Attend antenatal regularly
- Keep track of your intake of iron, vitamin and mineral.
- Have an accountability partner like your spouse, friends, or family members who can help you avoid non-craving foods.
Conclusion
Pregnancy cravings are a normal part of pregnancy for many women.
But knowing the best way to deal with them is what puts your health on edge above other pregnant women’s.
And that’s why you should know when your cravings start becoming harmful and which of them is absolutely normal.
I hope you’ve gained a quiet level of knowledge about pregnancy cravings.
13 Powerful Pregnancy Smoothies Recipes for Pregnant Women
