Moms to be often wonder if they should give into the yummy yet sinful cravings during pregnancy. Extreme hormonal changes that pregnant women go through can have a huge impact on smell and taste. Some women love to munch on tangy and sour foodstuffs whilst some may look forward to satisfy the newly developed sweet tooth. As always, it is counterproductive denying yourself something you really want. The essential thing here is striking that healthy balance. One of the side
effects of indiscriminately giving in to those cravings is weight gain. Experience tells us that the more weight you gain during pregnancy, the tougher it is to shed it all, post-delivery.
FRIES AND CHIPS: No one can eat just one. Cravings for fries and chips may be indicative of a sodium deficiency.
SPICY FOODS: It feels good to get that extra kick! But it may denote a need for the body to cool down. Hot and spicy food induces sweating which in turn lowers down the body temperature.
CHOCOLATES: Are not only known to boost mood, they are full on antioxidants too! However, a shortage of magnesium can trigger a craving for chocolates. As they have caffeine, so you need to keep this in check.
PICKLES: Like lemons, pickles help in fighting nausea and keep body refreshed. Craving for this tangy delight refers to deficiency of sodium in some.
ICE CREAM: Try to dig into healthier options. Try frozen yogurt or Greek yogurt with fruit compotes – they have fewer calories and provide more nutrients
What to do?
Portion Control – One of the ways to protect yourself from binge eating in pregnancy is portion control, if you can silence that chanting of ‘more, more and more’ in your head. Eat a small portion of that choco chip ice cream. The next step in this method is to reward yourself with something healthy and nutritious after the sinful treat. Eat half a cup of roasted nuts or one or two of those healthy sprouts as a follow up to fortify your body with nutrients.
Mixing and Matching – Another way you can deal with these cravings is by mixing and matching. If you are craving something sweet you can make yourself a bowl of custard with lots of fresh fruits. Alternatively, you can mix high fibre cereals with tasty granola. On the other hand, you can make yourself an egg sandwich comprising of a fried egg in a multi-fibre bread loaf with shredded cheese and many nutritiously crunchy veggies. The possibilities are endless.
Celebrate – However, it is also key to remember that on days when you do binge eat, do not pull yourself down with guilt. Supplement your diet with nutritious food for the rest of the day and celebrate these golden moments of your existence.
Rest Well – Also, remember to rest well. Research tells us that the craving for fatty, unhealthy food is usually the outcome of sleeplessness. Foods rich in carbohydrates give your brain a serotonin boost, which can make you feel super good.
Many of the pregnancy cravings arise because the body desires comfort. Oatmeal is a comfort food, which can be consumed in a million permutations and combinations. Eat a bowl of warm, yummy, gooey oatmeal with your choice of fruits and/or dry fruits to boost your body’s serotonin levels the healthy way. If you a fruit lover, you can satiate many sweet cravings by biting into your favourite fruit.
Remember, pregnancy is a divine blessing. Listen to your body when it asks for something and food cravings can always be made healthy and nutritious.
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