From croquettes and sticky cake to liters of buttermilk: many women crave certain foods during their pregnancy. Where do these pregnancy needs come from? And can it hurt to give in to it?
85 percent of women suffer from an uncontrollable desire for a certain product during pregnancy. We also call that craving. A food craving is different from a binge. This does not mean that you devour glasses of pickles, for example, it is primarily a very strong craving for that food. Why pregnant women may have such cravings for specific foods is still unclear.
“There are a lot of changes in the body during pregnancy. Your endocrine system changes continuously. Your immune system changes, there is more pressure on your stomach, emotions can play a bigger role and your smell and taste increase. All things that can have an impact on your eating habits and taste preferences,” says Ralph Moorman, nutrition and hormone expert and author of The hormone factor.
Because there are so many factors involved, the cause of cravings is difficult to research. “We can’t point to a specific substance and say: it gives you an appetite for pickles, the oil bun or orange juice.”
Variety in the diet is very important
The craving can be for both healthy and unhealthy food. What if you constantly have an uncontrollable craving for unhealthy food and give in to it? “First of all, it’s bad for your own health,” explains Moorman. “You create an increased risk of gestational diabetes. But it also has a negative health effect on your child. Gestational diabetes can, for example, result in a baby with increased birth weight.”
“An unhealthy lifestyle also increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in your child later in life. And if your intestinal flora is out of balance as a result, your child will also have a poorer foundation in terms of intestinal bacteria. This in turn has a negative impact on his or her immune system.”
Certain deficiencies in your diet can have a negative effect on the child’s bone structure, growth and brain development.
Iris Groenenberg, nutrition and health expert at the Dutch Nutrition Center, adds: “You are literally building a baby in your womb. You are laying a health foundation for the rest of your child’s life. Certain deficiencies in your diet can have a negative effect on the child’s bone structure, growth and brain development. That’s one of the reasons why variety in your diet is important; this way, the chance of deficiencies is less.”
According to Groenenberg, healthy food during pregnancy is food according to the Five Wheel. Attention points during pregnancy are: fish twice a week and sufficient products with calcium, iodine and iron. “And don’t forget folic acid and vitamin D supplements.”
Think of healthy alternatives to your favorite snack
Resisting cravings is therefore wise. According to Moorman, it is first and foremost good to start the pregnancy healthy and well. “If you eat healthy, you will have fewer peaks and troughs in your blood sugar levels. This will also reduce your need for sugary foods.”
Do you still suffer from unhealthy cravings? “Then make sure to always eat enough healthy food so that you’re simply less hungry and less likely to give in to bad snacks,” advises Moorman. Groenenberg: “Also make sure that you have unhealthy snacks out of sight, or that you don’t have them at all. Then you are less likely to be tempted.”
Do you eat out of boredom? Make sure you have something to do. For example, go for a walk.
Groenenberg also advises making some agreements with yourself. “When do you often suffer from the urge for unhealthy food? Is it, for example, in the evening in front of the TV? Agree with yourself that you will then have a piece of fruit. Or do you eat out of boredom? Make sure you have something to do . For example, take a walk. Also think about healthier varieties or alternatives to your favorite snacks and bring them home.”
Both experts want to stress that it’s okay to give in to your cravings every now and then. Groenenberg: “Take it easy and don’t feel guilty if you occasionally eat something unhealthy.” Moorman: “It’s about balance.”