Almost everyone finds it common to be attributed to pregnant cravings.
There are many myths surrounding pregnancy. Cravings are frequently discussed among them. Let's learn more about them and find out if they are a myth or a reality.
Cravings are defined as intense appetite, and hardly senseless, to some foods. Cravings can be sweet, refreshing foods, unusual, or rejected in the normal diet. Women are in constant hormonal change, which may be indicative, however they do not have any scientific basis. There may be psychological causes, anxiety…, Or wishes for attention and pampering.
Almost everyone finds it common to be attributed to pregnant women with cravings, from the appetizing strawberries with cream, to the wildest combinations, like pickles with chocolate. The figure of the father always appears, the one who at odd hours pleases his beloved to enjoy a moment of gastronomic pleasure.
History of cravings
Some pregnant women greatly crave certain foods, as can happen to other people at any time in their lives and without further complication. What is convenient is to be moderate in this regard, that is, you should not give free rein to desire and eat uncontrollably whatever you want. The health, especially in the future mother comes first.
Around the 60-70s, something affected the adequate nutrition of pregnant women, an aspect that negatively derived in the development of children. Years later the idea that pregnant women should eat excessively was still established to prevent and not happen again.
Today pregnant women are fully controlled, they are even advised on weight gain and informed of a list of the most harmful foods during the 9 months. What can happen at this time is that during pregnancy there is a increased so-called "hunger hormone". This favors the regulation of energy metabolism.
More frequent cravings
The sweet taste of chocolate or pastries exceeds the aspect of taste and reaches the brain of the pregnant woman producing pleasure.
El sweet taste exceeds the taste aspect and reaches the brain of the pregnant woman producing pleasureThis is why chocolate or pastries are so coveted foods among pregnant women and not only them. Some examples are:
- Ice creams: With their intake, heat is better tolerated and they provide sugar. The cold acts to benefit the annoying nausea.
- Chocolate and chocolates: With them pleasure is assured. It is a good antioxidant.
- Pretzels. They help you cope better with nausea.
- Pickles: Any canned food can be chosen by a pregnant woman. The strong flavor may be the reason for the appetite. The same goes for spicy food. They must be consumed with caution because they can cause stomach discomfort.
- Fruit, especially acidic, as in the case of strawberries. They have a high contribution of vitamin C and it is precisely the vitamin whose levels decrease in pregnancy. It also provides the mother with sugar.
- Cheese and dairy: It is probably made so palatable by the contribution that the body of a pregnant woman needs calcium. However, in pregnancy you have to be very careful with cheeses and unpasteurized milk. They should be consumed in moderation. Yogurts are a healthy, fast and appetizing food.
Peculiarities of cravings
- There is a phenomenon called "Pica" in which pregnant women feel the desire to eat substances that are not food, such as dirt, chalk or stones. It has not been shown to have anything to do with the state of pregnancy.
- A traditional saying ensures that the sex of the future child if she is a girl, it is associated with the intake of sweets such as cakes or chocolate. If I were a child, the cravings would be more salty and spicy like chilli, tabasco, pipes ... Obviously the sex of a human being does not depend on food.
- Legends claim that this unusual appetite is to cause of baby and if it is not satisfied, the child may get spots in shape or with the color of the food that was not taken.
- Another idea is that to be considered a craving you have to crave a unhealthy food.
Truth of cravings
- Baby no will suffer consequences as a result of not taking the desired food.
- La the body's need for nutrients, minerals or Vitamins, weakness ..., can make you want a particular food that is rich in them.
- Craving can be healthy.
- Pregnant women should not indulge their appetite and control themselves. They must not eat for two.
Relationship between craving and weight gain
It is said that to be considered a craving you have to crave an unhealthy food.
The pregnant woman must take care of herself, keep an order of her meals and eat as healthy as possible. It is not optimal to gain many kilos neither for mother nor for son, especially to face the next day of delivery. The ideal is to gain around 10-12 kilos, but the important thing is medical control and that it is him or her matrona those who guide the mother and help her in the process.
It is important to differentiate age and initial weight from one pregnant woman to another, to weigh up if she does sports normally, if she is an active person, if she suffers from any disease such as diabetes, obesity, in which case the weight to take should be less ...The same scale cannot be used for all. Before pregnancy it is already recommended that the woman, if she did not already do so, start practicing sports and try to lead a life as healthy as possible.
Drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fruit, vegetables, meat and fish… And avoid as much complex carbohydrate as possible, rice or bread must be taken. Everything is necessary to complete the food table and meet the needs of mother and child. Weight is not only gained with food intake, but also with placenta, amniotic fluid, baby, the increase of the breasts…, everything in the end will add up to the final weight and on the day of delivery part of that weight will disappear and another in subsequent days, weeks or months.
How to deal with cravings?
In the case of having cravings, it is best to make a meal plan and choose between foods that have a higher nutritional contribution. The selection must be of foods rich in proteins, vitamins ..., and eradicate the "junk food" that does not add anything good. It is extremely important that pregnant women eat 5 meals a day (and that breakfast is the best meal of the day), without their dishes being too overwhelming.
It is important and necessary to practice daily physical exercise, drink plenty of water, 2 liters a day if possible, try to lead a relaxed life and seek the support of family and close friends. Some simple and healthy craving options are:
- Yoghurt creamy.
- Dark chocolate, some daily portion. Lower sugar content.
- Unsalted nuts. They promote fluid retention.
- White bread and pastries by whole grain flour and cereals. Promotes intestinal transit.