If you’ve ever been pregnant, you probably know exactly what I’m talking about.
Pregnancy cravings are WILD. And honestly, I think they’re one of the most entertaining parts of pregnancy. Your body suddenly decides that the one thing you absolutely cannot live without is something you haven’t thought about in 10 years. And somehow, at 11:47 p.m., it becomes an emergency.
I definitely had pregnancy cravings with both of my kids, and here’s the funny part: my cravings were completely different depending on which baby I was carrying.
With my girl, I wanted ALL. THE. SWEETS.
Chocolate. Ice cream. Anything sugary. If it could be considered dessert, I probably wanted it.
Then came my boy.
And suddenly? Everything had to be SPICY.
I remember sending my ex-husband out to get me jalapeño poppers at all hours of the day. And I mean all hours. Morning? Sure. Afternoon? Obviously. Randomly at night? Absolutely. Apparently, my unborn son had decided that jalapeño poppers were a food group.
Looking back, it’s pretty hilarious.
So what actually causes these strange pregnancy cravings? And do they really mean anything?
Let’s dig into some of the most common pregnancy cravings — with a little science, a little fun, and a healthy dose of “every pregnancy is different.”
One important note before we get started: pregnancy cravings aren’t a reliable way to diagnose a vitamin or mineral deficiency. Hormonal changes, changes in taste and smell, appetite, nausea, emotions, and simply wanting certain foods can all play a role. So think of this as a fun look at pregnancy cravings, not a nutritional diagnosis. And if you’re craving or eating things that aren’t food, definitely talk with your healthcare provider.
Sweet Cravings
Let’s start with the one I know personally: the sweets.
During pregnancy, your body is doing a tremendous amount of work, and your energy needs change. It’s not surprising that some moms find themselves reaching for quick sources of energy like chocolate, ice cream, pastries, or anything else that could reasonably be classified as dessert.
And honestly?
Sometimes you just want the cookie.
But if you’re looking for something that satisfies that sweet craving while giving you a little more nutrition, try:
- Chocolate-covered strawberries, because fruit + chocolate is basically a pregnancy superpower.
- Greek yogurt with berries, granola, and honey: sweet, creamy, and packed with protein.
- Apple slices with peanut or almond butter: crunchy, sweet, salty, and ridiculously satisfying.
- Dark chocolate bark with nuts, dried fruit, and a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Frozen fruit pops: especially berries or mango when you want something cold and sweet.
- A smoothie bowl loaded with berries, yogurt, seeds, and your favorite toppings.
And of course, there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the real thing either. Pregnancy isn’t the time to feel guilty because you ate the ice cream.
Sometimes the baby just wants ice cream. (Always blame the baby! ;0 ) My favorite places for a great sweet treat in Milford are Scratch Bakery and Walnut Beach Creamery.
Salty Cravings
Then there are the moms who suddenly need ALL THE SALT.
Chips. Pretzels. French fries. Popcorn. Pickles. Salty crackers.
Pregnancy can affect fluid balance and appetite, and sodium needs do increase during pregnancy, but a craving for salty foods doesn’t necessarily mean you’re deficient in sodium.
It may simply mean that your taste buds have decided that everything needs a little extra seasoning.
If you’re looking for some crunchy, salty options, try:
- Lightly salted almonds or cashews
- Air-popped popcorn
- Roasted chickpeas
- Lightly salted edamame
- Veggies with hummus
- Whole-grain crackers with cheese
- Baked sweet potato fries
- Rice cakes with avocado and sea salt
- Crispy seaweed snacks
Or, you know… eat the fries. One of my fav places to get fries is Fryborg!!!
Balance, people. Balance. 😉
Spicy Cravings
THIS ONE I CAN SPEAK TO.
Spicy food became my entire personality when I was pregnant with my son.
I wanted everything spicy, and I wanted it now.
And my poor ex-husband became the official jalapeño popper delivery service.
I swear I sent that man to get me jalapeño poppers at every possible time of day. It didn’t matter if it was breakfast, lunch, dinner, or some completely unreasonable hour when normal people are sleeping.
If there was a jalapeño involved, I was interested.
Hormonal changes during pregnancy can affect your sense of taste and smell, which may change the foods you crave or suddenly make certain flavors much more appealing. Some moms also find that spicy foods seem more exciting when their usual foods just aren’t doing it for them.
And let’s be honest, pregnancy can make food preferences change so dramatically that you might go from “I hate spicy food” to “If this doesn’t burn my face off, I don’t want it.”
Apparently, that was me. Try Bar 3 thirty 3 in Milford for habanero barbecue wings and sriracha honey wings.
Sour Cravings
Lemons. Sour candy. Pickles. Green apples. Anything that makes your mouth do that little WHOA! thing.
Sour cravings aren’t necessarily a sign that you’re lacking a particular vitamin. They may simply be related to changing taste preferences, your sense of smell, or even nausea.
For some pregnant women, tart or sour flavors can feel especially refreshing when they’re dealing with morning sickness.
And honestly, sometimes you just want something sour because pregnancy apparently gives your taste buds their own agenda.
The Random Combination Cravings
And then we get to my favorite category:
The completely bizarre pregnancy food combinations.
Pickles and peanut butter.
Ice cream and French fries.
Cheese and something that absolutely should not be paired with cheese.
Whatever it is, pregnancy has a way of making you look at a combination of foods and think:
“You know what? That sounds AMAZING.”
And somehow, nobody else understands.
These unusual combinations don’t necessarily have some secret nutritional meaning. Sometimes your changing taste and smell preferences simply make combinations that normally sound ridiculous suddenly taste fantastic.
And I say: embrace it.
Because one day your pregnancy will be over, the cravings will disappear, and you might actually miss some of those weird little food obsessions.
And Yes… You Can Photograph Your Cravings!
As a Connecticut newborn and maternity photographer, I see so many little details that make each pregnancy unique.
And I LOVE the idea of incorporating your cravings into your maternity photos.
Maybe it’s the giant bowl of ice cream you couldn’t stop thinking about.
Maybe it’s a bag of your favorite chips.
Maybe you’re like me and need a plate of ridiculously spicy jalapeño poppers.
Your pregnancy story doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s.
Your cravings, your personality, your weird food combinations, they’re all part of this little chapter of your life.
And years from now, those photographs won’t just remind you what you looked like while you were pregnant.
They’ll remind you of who you were, what you loved, and maybe even the poor husband who had to make a midnight jalapeño popper run. 🙂
Because pregnancy is beautiful.
It’s emotional.
It’s exhausting.
It’s hilarious.
And sometimes… it’s really, really hungry.
So embrace the cravings, mama. And if your baby has you eating something completely ridiculous at 2 a.m., just know you’re definitely not alone.
Embracing your cravings? Let’s capture those unique moments in a maternity photoshoot! View my portfolio here.
