Common pregnancy cravings

One of the best (or worst) parts of pregnancy is the burning desire for certain foods.

Although some experts say that pregnancy cravings are a sign of nutritional need, people question this theory when some mums-to-be have a craving for dirt or coal – yes it’s possible.

Here are some common and rather odd pregnancy cravings:

Ice

This is a strange craving alright, especially since ice isn’t exactly a food. But, it’s quite a common craving among expectant mums so unless someone has a baby bump, they’ll probably always wonder why.

Chocolate

Chocolate has a natural ‘feel good’ factor so no wonder a lot of pregnancy women crave this. If you just can’t get enough of this food, then make sure you go for the dark stuff.

Dirt or coal

Apparently a lot of women find the crunchy texture of dirt and coal rather appealing. Different strokes for different folks right?

Toothpaste

Here’s another weird thing craved by some pregnant women. Although toothpaste leaves you with a refreshing taste, it isn’t exactly the safest craving out there so do speak to your GP if you’re concerned.

Ice cream

Ice cream is a pretty common food craving among expectant mums. For a healthy alternative, why not go for a low-fat version or better yet, frozen yoghurt?

Pickles and olives

The salt and vinegar taste from these foods could be the reason why some pregnant women crave them so much. Since they’re high in sodium, it’s a good idea to balance it out with a lot of water.

Coffee

Some women who needed their caffeine fix before they got pregnant, often crave it during pregnancy. If you find yourself craving coffee, make sure you speak to your GP before you reach for that mug.

Newspaper

Some women like to chew on newspaper (or toilet paper) and then swallow it. We doubt paper has any nutritional value, but it is comforting for some mums-to-be.

If you need some tips for dealing with pregnancy cravings, have a look here.