Food cravings. What are they?

We're talking pregnancy cravings, and why, when we're expecting a baby, our taste buds suddenly decide they can only be sated by the weirdest flavours and textures – and not always from actual food items!

What causes food cravings on pregnancy?

Food cravings can be one of the early signs of pregnancy. No one really knows why we have cravings, but it is thought that like with everything else in pregnancy, it's the hormonal changes that bring on our desire for weird and wacky food combinations, or just one particular ingredient.

What will I crave?

For some women, it will be sweet stuff, with partners dispatched to the 24 hour supermarket in the middle of the night to stock up on tubs of ice cream, while other women will want strongly flavoured savoury or salty items, or pickled foods.

Some will even want both – so ice cream with a large spoonful of gherkins being their snack of choice! And then there are those who are desperate to get their hands – and lips – on non-food items, such as coal or sponges although as much as you may crave them, non-food items are not to be consumed.

Likewise, we can also go off foods, too, with even the smell of some things (coffee is often a big no no for newly pregnant women) causing waves of nausea.

Should I be concerned?

You should try and cut down on unhealthy foods and not let cravings be an excuse for crisps and too much ice cream. But medics are usually unconcerned about women's food cravings in pregnancy, the feeling generally being that as long as you are not eating anything harmful, then it is just a passing phase. Although, women are never advised to eat anything that isn't food - so stay away from sticks or chalk and lumps of coal even if these weird cravings strike!