Pregnancy: Your Guide to Eating Right (cont.)
Are Food Cravings Normal During Pregnancy?
Yes. Although there is no widely accepted explanation for
food cravings, almost two-thirds of all pregnant women have
them. If you develop a sudden urge for a certain food, go ahead
and indulge your craving if it provides energy or an essential
nutrient. But, if your craving persists and prevents you from
getting other essential nutrients in your diet, try to create
more of a balance in your daily menu.
During pregnancy, your taste for certain foods may change.
You may suddenly dislike foods you were fond of before you
became pregnant. In addition, during pregnancy, some women feel
strong urges to eat non-food items such as ice, laundry starch,
dirt, clay, chalk, ashes or paint chips. This is called pica,
and it may be associated with an iron deficiency such as anemia.
Do not give in to these non-food cravings -- they can be harmful
to both you and your baby. Tell your health care provider if you
have these non-food cravings.
If you have any problems that prevent you from eating
balanced meals and gaining weight properly, ask you health care
provider for advice. Registered dietitians -- the nutrition
experts -- are available to help you maintain good nutrition
throughout your pregnancy.
Reviewed by The Cleveland Clinic
Birthing Services and the Department of Obstetrics and
Gynecology.
Edited by Charlotte E. Grayson, MD,
April 2004, WebMD.
Portions of this page © The Cleveland Clinic 2000-2002.
Last Editorial Review: 1/31/2005 4:58:21 AM
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