RD, LDN, CBS
Certified in Maternal and Infant Nutrition from Cornell, Angela’s mission is to help people reach their wellness goals. She also helps run a program that teaches pregnant women about how a healthy lifestyle optimizes prenatal and postnatal care.
Food cravings that strike during pregnancy are a common occurrence that many moms report experiencing at least once (pickles and ice cream, anyone?). Whether you have a small hankering for something specific or an insatiable desire for anything sweet and salty, cravings can happen at any point in your pregnancy.
Experts agree that there is really no definitive reason behind food cravings. More often than not, the foods being desired are high in fat, sugar and salt. While it’s true that pregnancy demands more nutrients, giving into too many cravings can interfere with healthy pregnancy weight gain recommendations, so it’s best for you and your baby to continue being mindful of what foods you are choosing.
Foods that are salty and foods that are sweet are two of the most common pregnancy cravings. If your sweet tooth just can’t be tamed, try satisfying it with some of these healthier, naturally sweet options instead of reaching for that candy bar: baked cinnamon apples topped with a dollop of low-fat yogurt, banana “ice cream” (frozen bananas blended with almond milk), or cottage cheese with sliced peaches. In place of salty snacks like potato chips, try these lighter swaps: roasted pumpkin seeds, roasted chickpeas or nuts.
The following meal plan and recipe ideas may help you manage your food cravings by satisfying your taste buds with a variety of flavors and nutrients.
For more on this topic, check out the following articles:
Recipes & Meal Plans | Pregnant
Recipes & Meal Plans | Nutrition
Supplementing | Nutrition
Recipes & Meal Plans | Mama
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