Pregnancy is a magical but very tough journey for women. On one hand, there is this miraculous feeling of a life growing inside, and on the other, the mother-to-be does not understand how many changes are happening in her body and mind.

These changes include the common symptoms that almost every pregnant woman experiences: nausea, vomiting, mood swings, sleep disruptions, and appetite fluctuations.

Many of us might have heard from our mothers about the strange or intense cravings we experienced during pregnancy.

However, on actress Debina Bonnerjee’s podcast, certified neuro coach and motivational speaker Saloni Suri claimed that pregnancy cravings are ‘an attention-seeking technique’. A clip of the same has gone viral on Instagram.

But do experts agree with this notion? Are pregnancy cravings real, or are they linked to attention-seeking behavior?

Understand the what and why

“Pregnancy cravings refer to the strong desire to eat certain foods, which can range from spicy and pungent foods to sweet and fried foods. Sometimes, the cravings can be for unusual foods that were not previously part of the diet,” explains Dr Soumya KN, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Gleneagles BGS Hospital, Bengaluru. india today,

The doctor further explains that these cravings usually arise from hormonal changes, nutrient deficiencies, or even emotional factors that arise during pregnancy.

“There is no research to confirm that these cravings are essential for foetal development or necessary for a healthy pregnancy. In fact, many cravings are often for foods that are not nutritionally beneficial,” says Dr Soumya K.N.

Moreover, Dr. Kinjal Avdhoot Kothari, Associate Consultant OBG, Manipal Hospital, Goa, explains that most pregnant women experience food cravings during the second trimester, which ranges from 13 to 27 weeks.

However, cravings can start as early as 4 to 6 weeks of pregnancy and continue until delivery.

Meanwhile, according to Dr Aastha Dayal, director of obstetrics and gynaecology at CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, the body undergoes significant hormonal fluctuations during pregnancy, particularly in oestrogen and progesterone levels, which can affect the senses of taste and smell, leading to unusual food preferences.

In addition, cravings may be linked to the body’s need for specific nutrients, such as iron or calcium. Some women may also crave non-food items; this is called ‘pica’.

Common Cravings

The most common cravings include pickles, chips, fried foods, bananas, nuts, ice cream, potatoes, bread, pasta, crackers, and spicy dishes.

On the other hand, some women crave non-food items such as chalk, clay, mud or even paper due to lack of nutrients.

Sharing her experience, Dr Dayal says, “I have observed that women usually crave things that we forbid them from consuming, like spicy food, caffeine, and street food.”

Are these cravings real?

“Pregnancy cravings are real and are usually triggered by hormonal imbalances or deficiencies, but in some cases, they can also be influenced by emotional factors,” explains Dr. Soumya K.N.

“Although some people believe that cravings, including other eating disorders, may be a way to seek attention, this is subjective. Cravings are not universal and are often more common in emotionally sensitive individuals. The experience of cravings may be increased due to social and family pressures, which make pregnant women feel they must act on them,” she adds.

According to the doctor, although cravings are a natural part of pregnancy for many women, it is important to remember that they do not define the overall experience. Pregnant women should focus on building their own emotional strength rather than relying on others to maintain their happiness.

This self-reliance may help them better manage the emotional disturbances that can trigger cravings.

Sharing her opinion, Dr. Dayal says, “Pregnancy cravings can be influenced by physical and psychological factors and hormonal changes. While some cravings may be linked to attention-seeking behaviour or emotional factors such as stress, anxiety or even cultural influences, we should not ignore underlying conditions (for example pica).”

The doctor says that cravings should be considered a normal and common part of pregnancy.

Meanwhile, Dr Nikhil Nair, a psychiatrist at NCR’s Sharda Hospital, says not all food cravings are attention-seeking behaviour. There have been many cases of depression with reverse vegetative signs, such as increased appetite, intense cravings for food, increased libido and increased sleep. Therefore, excessive cravings are also related to underlying stress which should be ruled out instead of always labelling it as attention-seeking.

“These behaviours may be subconscious responses to stress or emotional imbalance, which means that before assuming someone is simply seeking attention, it is important to rule out the possibility of underlying mental health conditions that may be driving these behaviours,” says Dr Nair.

Managing cravings

• Stay NourishedEat regular, balanced, nutrient-rich meals to reduce the intensity of cravings.
• Healthy AlternativesIf you crave sweet or fatty foods, eat healthier foods like fruit or whole-grain snacks.
• Portion ControlSatisfy your cravings by eating small amounts of food, and then prevent yourself from overeating or consuming unhealthy foods.
• Stay hydratedSometimes, it’s just dehydration, not cravings, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eating MindfullyDistract yourself with activities or practice mindfulness to distinguish between emotional eating and real hunger. More than what you eat, it’s also important to keep track of how you eat.
• Consider SupplementsConsult a specialist for iron, calcium, and prenatal vitamins to overcome nutritional deficiencies.

Dr Kothari says that pregnant women should accept their desires rather than resist them. But this does not mean that they should let unhealthy desires overpower their need for nutritious food. It is advisable to pay attention to your desires and indulge them in moderation.

Foods with a low glycemic index (GI), such as unsweetened oats, wholegrain bread, baked beans, fresh fruit and dairy products, can be good choices as they keep you full for longer.