“Pregnancy food cravings can be fascinating and confusing, especially for first-time mothers. While some mums-to-be may crave stronger flavours such as pickles, or comfort foods like ice cream, others may become nauseous at the mere sight of a certain food. In most cases, these cravings emerge suddenly, and it is important to deal with them consciously to ensure the health and well-being of the mother and developing child,” explains nutritionist Kajal Bhathena. She adds that the types of food you are craving for can depend on several factors, including hormonal changes, dietary deficiencies and even your mental health.  Pregnancy hormones can also heighten women’s sense of smell and taste, creating both cravings and aversions. That said, Bhathena shares that most pregnant women crave foods that are high in sugar, salt and fat.

Cravings depend on factors such as hormonal changes and dietary deficiencies that can affect dietary choices. Representation pics

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Striking a balance

“While the occasional craving doesn’t hurt, expecting mothers should consume balanced and nutritious meals to ensure healthy foetus development, says Bhathena. She suggests the following measures:
. Include a variety of foods across food groups in your daily diet. Eat plenty of whole grains, dals, pulses, lean proteins, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats.
. Make sure to take your prenatal supplements.
. Stay hydrated, and avoid sitting still in one place for too long

Kajal Bhathena

Additionally, Bhathena suggests trying on healthy foods to help soothe your cravings. Let’s delve into a few options expectant mothers can look at that which satisfies their cravings:
. Sweet potato chaat
. Oats-banana pancake
. Berry smoothie
. Avocado toast 
. Hummus veggie wrap
. Baked apple with cinnamon 
. Grilled paneer or chicken nuggets
. Minestrone soup
. 30g mixed nuts, 15g raisins and 100g Greek yogurt

The pica condition
If a pregnant mother is craving non-food substances such as chalk, paper or toothpaste, it’s important to seek medical help. This condition is known as pica, and often points to underlying factors that could adversely affect the health of both mother and child.