Why Do Pregnant Women Have Cravings? Here Are the Taboos
11 Aug 2023 16:14 by Rizki Aprilia
Cravings are a natural phenomenon experienced by every pregnant woman. The types of cravings vary. Some crave sweet foods, while others crave foods they previously disliked. Although it is a common occurrence, cravings can have negative effects, especially when craving unhealthy foods. However, there are ways to manage this.
Causes of Cravings Strange as it may seem, cravings are a unique experience during pregnancy. So, what causes these cravings? Candra Dewinataningtyas, SST, MKeb, a lecturer in the D3 Midwifery program at IIK Bhakta, explains that pregnancy leads to hormonal changes in a woman's body. It's during these hormonal changes that morning sickness often occurs. Morning sickness refers to feelings of nausea and vomiting that commonly occur in the morning. "This is what can trigger cravings," says the lecturer affectionately known as Candra.
Additionally, Candra continues, cravings can also be caused by an increase in Endogenous Opioid Peptides (POE). These are molecules produced by the human brain that are closely related to increasing pleasure in humans. "When POE increases, beta-endorphins usually increase as well. This prompts pregnant women to want to eat satisfying foods," explains Candra.
There are several foods that pregnant women often crave. These include spicy meatball soup, spicy fruit salad, sour mangoes, ice cream, chocolate, carbonated drinks, and some even crave chewing ice.
Chewing ice is believed to have positive effects, such as reducing stress and morning sickness, as well as decreasing the likelihood of experiencing heartburn. Heartburn is the sensation of burning and discomfort in the chest. While heartburn is a normal occurrence, excessive heartburn can be disruptive during pregnancy.
Tips for Food Intake During Cravings Cravings cannot be controlled. If not fulfilled, they often affect the emotions and hormones of pregnant women. However, pregnant women often crave foods that are lacking in nutritional value and can be detrimental to the fetus's health.
To prevent this, pregnant women can manage cravings by consuming nutritious foods that still satisfy their cravings. "Pregnant women can actually eat any food they desire or crave. The key is not to eat the same food all the time," emphasizes Candra. This means that pregnant women should eat nutritious foods containing carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, calcium, and folic acid. Don't forget to stay hydrated by drinking enough water, around 10 glasses a day.
Candra provides examples of nutritious foods that can meet craving needs while still being nutritious, such as:
- If craving ice, pregnant women can replace it with frozen pieces of fresh fruit or fruit placed in the freezer.
- If craving high-fat ice cream, opt for low-fat ice cream or low-fat yogurt.
- If craving donuts and sweet bread, choose whole grain bread.
- If craving potato chips, go for butter-free popcorn or roasted potatoes.
- If craving carbonated drinks, opt for fresh fruit juice without added sugars.
- If craving chocolate, choose healthy snacks like nuts and dried fruits.
Furthermore, Candra emphasizes that pregnant women should avoid consuming raw or undercooked foods like meat, fish, eggs, and shellfish. Additionally, cravings should be adapted to the pregnant woman's condition. For instance, if a pregnant woman has diabetes, she should avoid foods high in sugar. If she has hypertension, she should reduce foods high in fat and salt.
A pregnant woman's diet has a significant impact on fetal growth. Therefore, it is crucial for pregnant women to manage their food intake. It's okay to have cravings as long as they are balanced with nutritious foods. This information is also available on the official IIK Bhakta Youtube channel.
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