WeMoms
2 Apr 2024

Food cravings and aversions: Manage It

Pregnancy
Nutrition and pregnancy
Food Cravings and Aversions: How to Deal with Them
During pregnancy, it's common to experience intense food cravings and aversions.
These can be a result of hormonal changes and the body's increased nutritional needs.
While it may feel like your taste buds are on a roller coaster ride, understanding the underlying reasons can help you navigate these cravings and aversions with a sense of humor and satisfaction.
Embracing Your Cravings
  • Craving Nutrient-Dense Foods: It's important to remember that cravings aren't always a bad thing. Your body might be signaling a need for certain nutrients. If you find yourself craving specific foods, such as juicy burgers or crunchy vegetables, embrace these cravings and make healthier choices within those food groups. Indulging in a delicious lean beef burger or satisfying your desire for crisp bell peppers can provide you with essential nutrients like iron and vitamin C
  • Satisfying Sweet Tooth Cravings: Craving something sweet? Instead of reaching for processed treats, opt for healthier alternatives. Enjoy a bowl of ripe strawberries or frozen grapes to satisfy your sweet tooth while also getting a boost of vitamins and antioxidants. If chocolate is calling your name, go for a small piece of dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa, which can provide health benefits while fulfilling your craving.
  • Dealing with Salty Cravings: Craving salty snacks like chips or fries? Instead of loading up on unhealthy options, try baked sweet potato fries seasoned with a sprinkle of sea salt or homemade kale chips for a crunchy and nutritious alternative. These options provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals while satisfying your desire for something salty.
Managing Aversions
  • Coping with Strong Aversions: It's not uncommon to develop aversions to certain foods during pregnancy, even those you once loved. If the thought or smell of a particular food makes you feel queasy, don't force yourself to eat it. Instead, focus on finding alternative options that provide similar nutritional benefits. For example, if broccoli makes you cringe, try substituting it with asparagus or green beans, which offer similar vitamins and minerals.
  • Experimenting with Preparation Methods: Sometimes, it's not the food itself but the way it's prepared that triggers aversions. If you're struggling with a specific food, try experimenting with different cooking methods to find a variation that works for you. For instance, if you can't stand the texture of raw tomatoes, try roasting them with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of herbs. This can change the flavor and texture, making it more appealing to your palate.
Finding Balance
  • Incorporating a Variety of Foods: While it's important to honor your cravings and manage aversions, strive for a balanced diet that includes a wide range of nutritious foods. Focus on consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats to ensure you and your baby receive all the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy.
  • Staying Hydrated: Hydration is crucial during pregnancy, so remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day. If plain water doesn't appeal to you, try adding slices of cucumber or a splash of lemon to enhance the flavor. You can also incorporate herbal teas or infused water with fruits like strawberries or watermelon for a refreshing twist.
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4 min read
M
Misty
3 Nov 2023

So apparently cravings and food aversions has started. Yesterday’s meal consisted of french fries two bites of a Arby’s sandwich, broccoli, sweet potatoes, pickles, and a rice crispy treat… literally if I smell anything it makes me nauseous.  I just ordered me a nausea band and some lemon ginger chews to try to minimize this nauseousness. I wouldn’t change this for the world if I’m able to keep and carry this baby full term and them coming out healthy and happy! #6weeks6days #120bpm #firsttimemommy #firsttimepregnant #spotting #fibroids #PCOS #june2023duedate

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
4 comments
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Arnetia
By faith you'll have a healthy baby and carry your baby full term. Congratulations on your pregnancy and being a first time mother!! 🙏🏿🙏🏿❤️😊
27 Mar 2024

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Misty
Thank you!!!!🙏🏾
27 Mar 2024

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Alexandrea
6 Oct 2023

Has anyone else had food aversions and cravings that come and go daily? Yesterday, I wanted nothing but cold fruit and anything else made me nauseous. Now, today, fruit is gross and I want greasy things like a big giant burger lmao I never know what to expect on a day to day basis! My poor husband lol

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
4 comments
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Gabrielle
Yes! I can't stand anything orange flavored. I've been wanting chocolate like crazy too 🤣 Also, just thinking about certain foods makes me want to 🤢. With my first pregnancy, my daughter, I was thoroughly enjoying McDonalds chicken nuggets, when before I couldn't stand them. Can't stand them to this day either 🤣
27 Mar 2024

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Alexandrea
It’s so bizarre because I want things I never have wanted and I don’t like things that I love eating.
27 Mar 2024

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Nicole
23 Aug 2023

I’m having so many pregnancy symptoms. My abdomen is sore and tender, my boobs feel heavy and itch, I’m nauseous with cravings and food aversions. Occasional headaches. Brain fog. I feel completely off from my normal self..: however I am still 10 days from my period…. I took a test this morning and it was negative… does that mean I am probably not pregnant…?

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
4 comments
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Nicole
Think there’s any chance..?
27 Mar 2024

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Heather
Did you test again? Most at home tests say as soon as 6 days sooner. So it might have been to soon
27 Mar 2024

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jaida
2 Jul 2023

I’m having STRONG food aversions to any meat. My husbands Memaw made tacos and I ate them because I didn’t want to be rude and ever since I’ve felt absolutely horrible. I don’t know what to do!

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
2 comments
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Shyla
I'm still like that to this day since early pregnancy. I try to smother my meat in something. I can't just eat pain meet. I hope it gets better ❤️
27 Mar 2024

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Jessica
Pepcid!! It’s otc and safe for pregnancy, I craved red meat a lot of my pregnancy because my rbc found was low.
27 Mar 2024

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Chelcie
15 Jun 2023

Hey mommies ! Question!? Is it normal to have food aversions in the second trimester ? I didn’t in my first but this 2nd trimester is kicking my butt and everything is making me nauseous except crackers and avocado and cucumber and chips lol

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
1 comments
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Mina
Normal I’m also in the same boat. First I was perfect. Now nausea, throwing up, headaches, and exhausted always.
27 Mar 2024

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Madison
12 Mar 2023

8 w 3d,Had our first ultrasound Friday ! Perfect heart beat at 160! - no nausea or food aversions. - no cravings - always feel hungry - sore melons Other than that I am feeling pretty normal. Gender predictions ?! NIPT testing in a little less than two weeks!

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
8 comments
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Madison
I mean NOTHING. I was actually super worried for the first ultrasound because I felt / feel TOO normal. Afterwards she said I could just be lucky or it could hit me later in pregnancy!
27 Mar 2024

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Delanie
I have the same symptoms no nausea that is lovely. My first child. He is three years old and I had nausea for six months is pregnancy. I have had no Nausea This is a wonderful pregnancy.
27 Mar 2024

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Olivia
24 Feb 2023

Who else is having major food aversions??? I can’t eat meat or really anything. What can you eat? Vegetables and sour candy. 🤦🏻‍♀️ #alwayshungry #8wp

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
1 comments
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Alisha
Try fresh fruit
27 Mar 2024

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Haylee
16 Nov 2022

7 weeks today and having TERRIBLE food aversions.. some days are not bad and I can eat but others are awful....but obviously need to eat. What is stuff you could eat that filled you up? I need food ideas 😅

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
2 comments
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Jessica
8w3d today and horrible nausea 😩 Saltine crackers, chicken noodle soup, grapes, strawberry, pineapple, blackberries, banana nut muffins and pumpkin muffins but prefer the banana ones, popsicles And anything I am craving at that moment/day which is hardly ever. One time I was craving pozole so I made sum and another time I was craving a burrito so we got one, also one time I was craving my hubbies homemade hamburger helper so he made it. I also for some reason can't stand that same food I'm craving the next day 😩 so crazy
27 Mar 2024

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Haylee
that's where I'm at I was craving a chicken Velveeta skillet and I made it and took 2 bites and was sick and now can't even LOOK at chicken lol. It's so crazy...
27 Mar 2024

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Andee
18 Aug 2022

I’m 19 weeks and 5 days and I am still having food aversions. I can’t eat any kind of meat. It smells bad and makes me sick. Has anyone experienced this with meat?

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
3 comments
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kaitlyn
I’ve seen a lot of post about it
27 Mar 2024

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Dani
I did with my second child. He's 8 now and still doesn't eat meat smh.
27 Mar 2024

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Katie
23 May 2022

Food is something we can all talk about in any stage of pregnancy. The cravings. The aversions. What are some of your favorite cravings? What are your most disapointing aversions?

Pregnancy Nutrition and pregnancy
7 comments
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Elizabeth
I have gestational diabetes and I crave EVERYTHING I can't have. 😂
27 Mar 2024

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Amanda
Pickles & banana peppers are top tier for me this entire pregnancy LOL
27 Mar 2024

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