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Pregnancy Cravings
Food cravings are common during pregnancy, although not everyone experiences them.
What are pregnancy cravings?
What is the cause of these pregnancy cravings?
When do pregnancy cravings start?
What are food aversions?
What does one commonly crave?
Do your pregnancy cravings require medical attention?
Take charge of your cravings
You may have questions about what pregnancy cravings mean, when they start and how to manage them.
What are pregnancy cravings?
A craving is a strong desire for a particular food. You might want a food you do not usually eat or find that your preferences change.
What is the cause of these pregnancy cravings?
The reasons for individual cravings are not always clear. Read Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s information on food cravings.
If cravings make balanced eating difficult, ask your GP, midwife or an accredited practising dietitian for support.
When do pregnancy cravings start?
Cravings can change during pregnancy. Not everyone experiences them, and your experience may be different from someone else’s.
What are food aversions?
A food aversion is a strong dislike of a food you might usually enjoy. Food aversions can go hand in hand with pregnancy nausea. Changes in your sense of smell and taste may also make some foods less appealing. See Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s appetite and food-aversion guidance.
What does one commonly crave?
Preferences vary. You might want sweet, salty, sour or starchy foods, fruit, dairy foods or unusual combinations such as pickles and ice cream. Check food safety during pregnancy before eating the food you want.
Do your pregnancy cravings require medical attention?
Check that the food you’re craving is safe during pregnancy, and keep eating a variety of nutritious foods. If you crave non-food items, speak with your GP or midwife.
Take charge of your cravings
Research has not shown a consistent link between pregnancy cravings and gestational diabetes. If cravings make balanced eating difficult, your GP, midwife or an accredited practising dietitian can help.
Read Pregnancy, Birth and Baby’s food-cravings guidance, along with our articles on food during pregnancy and drinks during pregnancy.
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