why do I get pregnancy cravings?
Penny cited the following
2 peer-reviewed research articles
3 articles from healthcare institutions
Why Pregnancy Cravings Happen: The Essentials
Pregnancy cravings are a common and well-recognized experience, but the exact reasons why they happen are not fully understood. The most accepted explanations point to a mix of hormonal changes, shifts in taste and smell, psychological factors, and possibly cultural expectations. There is no single cause, and cravings can be different for everyone.
1
Article
Women’s Experience and Understanding of Food Cravings in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - PMC
Women’s beliefs about why cravings ... the experience of cravings to physiological changes of pregnancy or requirements such as hormonal fluctuations or acute nutritional deficiencies....
2
Article
An OB-GYN's Guide to Cravings During Pregnancy | Northwestern Medicine
Aversions, which often go hand ... caused by bacteria like listeria during pregnancy. "Some theories say that cravings help the body make up for nutritional deficiency," says Brittany Janelle Cline, MD, Northwestern Medicine OB-GYN. "For example, you might crave ice cream ...
3
Article
Uncovering the Causes of Pregnancy Cravings
For instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...
4
Article
Six popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby Center
In general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....
5
Article
Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMC
In examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...
What Might Be Behind Your Cravings
Hormonal Changes Can Affect Taste and Smell
-
Pregnancy hormones, especially in early pregnancy, can heighten your senses of taste and smell. This can make certain foods more appealing or, in some cases, less tolerable (leading to aversions).
2ArticleAn OB-GYN's Guide to Cravings During Pregnancy | Northwestern MedicineAversions, which often go hand ... caused by bacteria like listeria during pregnancy. "Some theories say that cravings help the body make up for nutritional deficiency," says Brittany Janelle Cline, MD, Northwestern Medicine OB-GYN. "For example, you might crave ice cream ...→
Northwestern Medicine
3ArticleUncovering the Causes of Pregnancy CravingsFor instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...→hawaiipacifichealth.org
- These hormonal shifts are thought to play a major role in why cravings feel so strong and specific.
Psychological and Emotional Factors
-
Cravings are not just physical—they can also be influenced by emotions, stress, and even stories or suggestions from others. For example, hearing about someone else’s cravings can sometimes trigger your own.
1ArticleWomen’s Experience and Understanding of Food Cravings in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - PMCWomen’s beliefs about why cravings ... the experience of cravings to physiological changes of pregnancy or requirements such as hormonal fluctuations or acute nutritional deficiencies....→
PubMed Central
3ArticleUncovering the Causes of Pregnancy CravingsFor instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...→ -
Cultural expectations and social norms may also make it feel more acceptable to indulge in cravings during pregnancy, which can reinforce the experience.
4ArticleSix popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby CenterIn general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....→
The Mother Baby Center
5ArticlePickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMCIn examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...→
Nutritional Needs: A Possible but Unproven Link
-
Some theories suggest cravings might signal a need for certain nutrients (like craving dairy for calcium or fruit for vitamin C), but research does not consistently support this idea.
2ArticleAn OB-GYN's Guide to Cravings During Pregnancy | Northwestern MedicineAversions, which often go hand ... caused by bacteria like listeria during pregnancy. "Some theories say that cravings help the body make up for nutritional deficiency," says Brittany Janelle Cline, MD, Northwestern Medicine OB-GYN. "For example, you might crave ice cream ...→3ArticleUncovering the Causes of Pregnancy CravingsFor instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...→5ArticlePickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMCIn examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...→
-
Most studies have not found a direct link between specific cravings and actual nutritional deficiencies.
4ArticleSix popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby CenterIn general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....→5ArticlePickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMCIn examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...→
Are Pregnancy Cravings Normal?
-
Cravings are a normal part of pregnancy for many people and can start as early as the first trimester, often peaking in the second trimester.
1ArticleWomen’s Experience and Understanding of Food Cravings in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - PMCWomen’s beliefs about why cravings ... the experience of cravings to physiological changes of pregnancy or requirements such as hormonal fluctuations or acute nutritional deficiencies....→3ArticleUncovering the Causes of Pregnancy CravingsFor instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...→
-
The types of foods craved can vary widely and are often influenced by culture and personal preferences.
1ArticleWomen’s Experience and Understanding of Food Cravings in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - PMCWomen’s beliefs about why cravings ... the experience of cravings to physiological changes of pregnancy or requirements such as hormonal fluctuations or acute nutritional deficiencies....→4ArticleSix popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby CenterIn general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....→5ArticlePickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMCIn examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...→
-
Not everyone experiences cravings, and that is normal too.
4ArticleSix popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby CenterIn general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....→
When to Talk to Your Doctor
-
If you crave non-food items (like dirt, clay, or ice), this could be a sign of a condition called pica, which may be linked to iron deficiency or other health concerns. In these cases, it’s important to let your healthcare provider know.
3ArticleUncovering the Causes of Pregnancy CravingsFor instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...→
- If cravings are leading to eating patterns that concern you or are affecting your health, your OB/GYN or midwife can help you find a balanced approach.
Wrapping Up: Understanding Your Cravings
Pregnancy cravings are a real and common part of the experience, likely caused by a combination of hormonal, psychological, and cultural factors. While they can sometimes feel intense or unusual, they are usually not a cause for concern. If you ever feel unsure about your cravings or if they involve non-food items, your healthcare provider can offer support and guidance tailored to your needs.
1
Article
Women’s Experience and Understanding of Food Cravings in Pregnancy: A Qualitative Study in women receiving prenatal care at the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill - PMC
Women’s beliefs about why cravings ... the experience of cravings to physiological changes of pregnancy or requirements such as hormonal fluctuations or acute nutritional deficiencies....
2
Article
An OB-GYN's Guide to Cravings During Pregnancy | Northwestern Medicine
Aversions, which often go hand ... caused by bacteria like listeria during pregnancy. "Some theories say that cravings help the body make up for nutritional deficiency," says Brittany Janelle Cline, MD, Northwestern Medicine OB-GYN. "For example, you might crave ice cream ...
3
Article
Uncovering the Causes of Pregnancy Cravings
For instance, the most common cravings women experience during pregnancy are for fruit, milk, chocolate or other sweets. Craving fruit may indicate body levels low in vitamin C, or craving dairy may mean a deficiency in calcium. Craving more high-calorie sweets like ice cream can be related ...
4
Article
Six popular types of food on pregnancy cravings lists - The Mother Baby Center
In general, food cravings when ... laugh about the foods they crave during their pregnancy. Every pregnancy is unique and it’s also normal to not have cravingsduringpregnancy. Read on to learn more about pregnancycravings and what causes them....
5
Article
Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research - PMC
In examining popular hypotheses regarding cravinginpregnancy their close resemblance to the theorized causes of perimenstrual chocolate craving is striking. Chocolate, by far the most commonly craved food in the U.S., is unique in many ways: it has a very recognizable smell, high caloric ...