| When a woman is pregnant, some things become | | | | yourself of the need to practice moderation for |
| mind-boggling. That includes the strange cravings that | | | | cravings and avoid distraction with a balanced diet and |
| pregnant women experience with certain foods. | | | | proper nutrition. Another good strategy for staying |
| What's stranger is that some of these foods that they | | | | healthy even with the cravings is to try substitution. |
| desire all of sudden are not normally part of their | | | | This means that for a certain type of food that is |
| regular diet. What's worst though is that some of | | | | being craved, a healthier alternative may be chosen as |
| these cravings are not even food or at least | | | | a substitute. The substitute may be of a different type, |
| somewhat edible. | | | | but the taste or flavour may be similar. More |
| A 2008 study revealed that 75 percent of surveyed | | | | importantly, the substitute food should be more |
| pregnant women had food cravings in varying degrees | | | | nutritious or at least has lesser of the "junkie" content |
| and with different types of foods. Ice cream, curry, | | | | of the craved food. Example substitutes are yogurt |
| gherkins, pickles, fish, salted crisps and chocolates are | | | | instead of ice cream or salted popcorn for salted |
| only some of the foods pregnant women reported in | | | | crisps. |
| the survey. But in a similar survey conducted five | | | | One important thing to remember about food cravings |
| decades back, it was only at 30 percent. While there is | | | | is that they can be reduced by at least half when you |
| no clear evidence as to why there is a significant | | | | eat a healthy breakfast. This should be a good |
| increase of the figures, researchers offer that the | | | | detriment for craving unhealthy foods during |
| variety and availability of different types of food | | | | pregnancy. Some may have problems with eating a |
| nowadays could be one factor. Having so many types | | | | good breakfast due to morning sickness. |
| of food to choose from and their accessibility tend to | | | | Another interesting finding is that of another kind of |
| support this significant rise of the number of pregnant | | | | craving which is toward non-edible items. Also known |
| women who are into food cravings. | | | | as pica, this kind of craving extends to such non-edible |
| Pregnant women, however, are cautioned not to go | | | | items such as soap, chalk, toothpaste, ice, coal and |
| overboard with these cravings. Consenting to these | | | | even rubber. There is a perception though that the odd |
| craving is still fine, but moderation should still be | | | | desire is only limited to the smell or texture of the |
| practiced. Food cravings, after all, are just that, | | | | non-food item rather than the need to taste or worst, |
| cravings. After a while, pregnant women are expected | | | | eat it. If this is the case, caution should be made. If the |
| to get back to their normal diet. Secondly, pregnant | | | | craving intensifies to a need to really chew, bite, or eat |
| women should not sacrifice their more nutritious diet | | | | the item, then it may be necessary to visit your doctor. |
| with these cravings. A good nutrition and a healthy diet | | | | While pregnancy can bring some unusual habits for |
| are very important for both mother and child. Cravings, | | | | some women, it is still of primary importance that one's |
| on the other hand, will only satisfy temporary whims. | | | | health as well as that of the baby's is considered. If this |
| You should always try to come up with some meal | | | | important aspect is going to be compromised, there will |
| plans when food cravings occur as a way to remind | | | | be a need for some medical intervention. |