Why do you want to eat something when you are pregnant? Causes of a constant desire to eat during pregnancy

Most people can boast of periods of apathy and drowsiness. The abundance of incoming information, the change of weather, the erratic sleep schedule - many factors can lead a completely healthy person into a "zombie" state. At the same time, the sensations are indescribable: the eyelids are getting heavy, the heart is barely beating, the reality is “blurred”, and the jaws are reduced from constant yawning. All day long I want to lie down somewhere, but the “harmful” employer is not ready to provide a sleeping place for his employees. If you are a woman, daytime sleepiness may indicate that you have managed to get pregnant. Often, frequent fatigue is the only sign of the first days of conception.

If the suspicions of successful fertilization are confirmed, it's time to prepare for the fact that the desire to fall asleep will become a faithful companion for a long time. After all, during pregnancy you constantly want to sleep. For a woman "in position" an extra opportunity for rest is a "gift from heaven."

It's no secret that in the process of viewing dreams, a person replenishes the resources spent during the day. Turning off, the head gets rid of unnecessary information, the nervous system is regulated. During pregnancy, psychophysical costs exceed all past records. Indeed, inside the expectant mother, the formation of a separate organism is constantly taking place. These are colossal loads, to cope with which a good sleep helps.

Increased sleepiness during childbearing

Why do you want to sleep a lot during pregnancy? Experts identify three main factors that affect a woman's well-being.

• Intensive restructuring of the body. At the same time, the central nervous system works in an enhanced mode. Accordingly, more time is required for the regulation of processes.
• Increased production of progesterone relaxes and causes a decrease in blood pressure.
• Increased emotional and psychological stress.

The combination of these causes and causes increased drowsiness. In this case, all efforts are aimed at the benefit of the unborn child, so you should not worry about the fatigue that has appeared.

Constantly sleepy: a sign of conception

Nausea, weakness, fatigue are known signs of pregnancy. The appearance of these symptoms before the delay of menstruation is significant for any woman. Sometimes the sudden onset of drowsiness is the only "marker" of the conception of the embryo.

It's important to know! The hormone progesterone is to blame, which protects the fetus from rejection, strengthens the uterine walls, and helps the fertilized egg finally “settle”. The costs of these processes are expressed in the "sluggish" state of the expectant mother.

Typical manifestations of drowsiness in expectant mothers

Typical complaints of pregnant women are a sharp change in mood, loss of strength, unreasonable anxiety. Every woman experiences the effects of hormonal fluctuations to varying degrees.
Some are continuously full of strength and energy, others literally "fall down" already in the first days of conception. Well-being always changes chaotically: today we “turn mountains”, and tomorrow we mobilize the last crumbs of strength for brushing our teeth. Such unpredictability should be treated philosophically: all cases cannot be redone. To save creative energy, there is a simple exercise:

• first, make a to-do list;
• second, divide it into three parts:
  • necessary responsibilities;
  • things that can be entrusted to a husband;
  • what can be missed;
• the third stage is sorting the list.

As a result of the work done, people felt great relief. Getting rid of unnecessary actions, a pregnant woman learns to evenly distribute her own forces, avoiding overload.

Causes of the condition at different times

Drowsiness at different times has distinctive causes. If at the initial stage you really want to sleep because of the hormonal “burst”, then in the second trimester increased fatigue is a consequence of the growth and development of the fetus. When the process of bearing a child proceeds normally, in the middle and last stages, drowsiness disappears.

Attention! In cases of maintaining an apathetic state in later periods, it is worth alerting. Often the causes of these manifestations can be various complications.

Start of pregnancy

In the early stages of fertilization, a hypertrophied need for rest does not pose a danger. It's just that all the forces of the body of the expectant mother are working to create a new life. Large resource costs require appropriate compensation. The sleep phase restores lost strength, directs them in the right direction.

As the fetus develops in the abdomen, the toxicosis characteristic of the early stages decreases. After the first trimester, the symptoms of drowsiness gradually "fade away."

Second trimester

Week 14 is the start of the second trimester of pregnancy. During this period, the placenta completes its own formation, unpleasant symptoms disappear in the form of nausea, intolerance to odors, and permanent fatigue. But it happens that hopes for the elimination of drowsiness do not justify themselves. The reason for the manifestation of daytime weakness in the fourth month of gestation is the intensive development of the embryo. As a result of the formation of biorhythms of the embryo, the mother's body is forced to "adjust" to the sleep pattern of the unborn child. However, gynecologists do not recommend long morning sleep. If you sleep a lot during this stage of pregnancy, blood circulation is disturbed, a depressed state appears.

The period before childbirth

In late pregnancy, “chronic sleep deprivation” may occur due to the increase in the size of the baby. Pressure on the internal organs, intrauterine anxiety at night often become the causes of violations of the pregnant woman's nightly rest. If persistent fatigue does not improve and worsens, you should consult a doctor. Sleepiness of the third trimester can be associated with various pathologies.

Reason for serious concern

In the last stages of pregnancy, it is important to identify possible diseases that affect fatigue in time. Some of them are eliminated quite easily, with the help of vitamin therapy, while others are serious and do not tolerate delay.

So, the pathological causes of drowsiness in expectant mothers:

It's important to know! In any case, the presence of suspicious anomalies is a reason to undergo a medical examination. Timely treatment can eliminate the possibility of fatal consequences.

Ways to deal with sleep at work and at home

If the presence of serious diseases has not been confirmed, then the desire to sleep a lot is a consequence of natural processes. The expectant mother is able to independently correct unpleasant symptoms. Particularly active women continue to work literally until the trip to the hospital. In this case, the question arises of getting rid of daytime sleepiness in working conditions.

Here is a list of measures, the observance of which will allow you to stay cheerful throughout the day:

• take frequent breaks (more than 10 minutes);
• ventilate the work area: a lack of oxygen can increase drowsiness;
• green tea is a useful tonic;
• change the position of the body more often, go out into fresh air if possible;

Here is a sample list of actions to support vitality outside the home. In your own apartment, it is easier to deal with drowsiness:

• we monitor the quality of sleep: at least 10 hours a day, “light out” at 22.00;
• getting up and going to bed at exactly the same time every day;
• regular morning exercises, moderate physical activity in the evening;
• a varied diet, frequent meals in small portions, the last meal - no later than 20.00;
• a contrast shower is an old proven remedy, the water temperature should be comfortable, “without extremes”.

Frequent walks, breathing exercises will help not only get rid of drowsiness, but also produce a general healing effect on the body.

Drawing conclusions

Wanting more is fine. Thus, the body accumulates strength, preparing for the upcoming birth. After the birth of a girl or a boy, a young mother will remember with trepidation about a good rest. Taking care of the baby will fill all possible space, displacing unscheduled sleep for a long time. Women joke: “During pregnancy it is difficult to fall asleep “on your side”, with the birth of a child you will learn to sleep even standing up.”

In the prenatal period, you should not deny yourself additional rest. An alarming "bell" is considered to be increased drowsiness in the later stages. Examination by a doctor and complex treatment will help to identify and prevent a serious illness.

To alleviate the symptoms of regular weakness is within the power of any woman. Following the principles of a healthy lifestyle is a good habit that will come in handy in the future.

We often hear that an expectant mother should eat for two. Some women do just that, and at the end of the term they suffer from swelling, hypertension, back pain, and other pathologies. Pregnant women often say that they constantly want to chew something, have a snack. What to do? Is it normal to feel constantly hungry and have an increased appetite during pregnancy? Why does it occur?

Causes of hunger during pregnancy

Hormonal restructuring of the body is the main factor that provokes a constant desire to eat. Changes lead to other new sensations and desires. For example, women passionately want to eat those dishes that they did not like before. There is also a desire to combine incongruous dishes: spicy and sweet, salty and sweet. Sometimes in winter, expectant mothers have a desire to eat melon, watermelon.

Gynecologists say that an increase in appetite and new taste habits are normal for expectant mothers. After all, the need for calories necessary for the development and growth of the fetus increases in them.

However, not the last place in the increase in appetite is the psychological factor. This refers to the belief that now you need to eat for two. Do not listen to such erroneous opinions. Gynecologists say that with the onset of pregnancy, a woman should increase the amount of food consumed, but only by 300 calories in the first or second trimester and by 450 in the third. But not twice!

Another reason for the constant feeling of hunger is that often accompanies women in position. Psychologists state that depressive states are characterized by a lack of the hormone of joy - serotonin. It is found in many sweet foods, in particular chocolate, cocoa. So a woman is trying to compensate for the lack of joy in life by consuming sweets or other favorite foods.

Feeling hungry in early pregnancy

It is at this stage of bearing a baby that expectant mothers begin to experience constant hunger. Some consider this to be normal and even demand that their husbands buy them various goodies. Others, constantly monitoring weight and observing its sharp increase, come to doctors with complaints that they cannot subdue their appetite and begin to suffer from. A competent obstetrician-gynecologist explains to his patient the cause of the problem, its possible consequences and gives practical advice.

The emerging feeling of constant hunger can be overcome if you listen to the advice of nutritionists. It is important to observe them, and not ignore them, justifying oneself with the mission of motherhood, with promises to correct the situation after childbirth. So you can only harm yourself and your unborn child. Edema, impaired kidney function, gestational, varicose veins - these are the problems that can be acquired in a few months of overeating.

So, to pacify the constant feeling of hunger, follow these rules:

1. Eat small portions. For snacks, use biscuit or cereal cookies, fruits, carrots, low-fat yogurt.
2. Eliminate white bread and pastries from your diet.
3. Don't confuse thirst with hunger. If you have an urgent desire to eat, just drink a glass of water. Surely the feeling of hunger will recede. But never drink immediately after a meal. Limit food and drink at intervals of 40-60 minutes.
4. Try to eat less acidic foods. They increase acidity, irritate the stomach and cause hunger.
5. Make the most of your diet with seasonal fruits and vegetables. The fiber they contain is great for filling the stomach and satisfying hunger.
6. Protein should be included in your daily diet. It helps to maintain a feeling of satiety for a long time. By the way, meat dishes are best steamed or stewed. Avoid fried meat.
7. Calcium must be present in the daily diet. Its rich sources are fish, cottage cheese, yogurt, nuts.
8. Never eat on the go. So the feeling of fullness will appear very quickly. You need to chew slowly, sitting at the table, not being distracted by TV, books, newspapers, talking on the phone.
9. Find activities that interest you. After all, the feeling of constant hunger in women often appears from idleness.

Specially for

Pregnancy is a time of new sensations and various complaints. Expectant mothers may notice drowsiness or irritability, pain in the head and lower back, changes in taste or nausea, weight gain. Sometimes they notice that more and more often there is a desire to drink plenty of fluids. Is extreme thirst related to pregnancy?

Thirst

Moderate or severe thirst is not a sign of pregnancy, although it occurs quite often during this period. Usually, the desire to drink a lot occurs even in the early stages, in the first or second trimester, and is more often noted during the day. However, nocturnal thirst also occurs. In the third trimester, the appearance of such a symptom along with edema is often noted.

The causes of this condition can be both physiological and pathological. However, the appearance of such a complaint should alert the expectant mother. It is best in this situation not to postpone the consultation of the attending physician.

If a strong thirst develops abruptly, among full health and it is almost impossible to quench it, a trip to a specialist should be immediate.

Physiological causes

Bearing a child is impossible without a complete hormonal restructuring of the female body. The volume of substances changes, blood flow increases, the rate of chemical reactions increases.

The expectant mother must ensure not only the normal functioning of her body, but also the growth of the fetus. All this requires additional fluid intake into the body and is manifested by the desire to drink a lot.

The physiological causes of thirst during pregnancy include:

1. Change in metabolism. Water is the basis of all chemical reactions. If their number or speed increases, then the need for fluid also increases.
2. Change in blood flow, which entails an increase in fluid volume.
3. The appearance of amniotic fluid. This leads to additional fluid consumption and the appearance of thirst, especially in the second and third trimesters. The desire to drink can become strong if the volume of amniotic fluid increases sharply or there is polyhydramnios.
4. Intensive work of the kidneys. Since the excretory system of a woman has to work for two, all processes in them happen faster. This explains the more frequent desire to drink.
5. Diet change. Expectant mothers often note the need for spicy, sweet or salty foods. After such dishes, thirst will intensify, sometimes quite strongly.

If the desire to drink is associated with physiological reasons, you do not need to be afraid of it. However, only the attending physician can determine the nature of thirst after certain tests.

Pathological causes

Although most often thirst during pregnancy is a natural phenomenon and can be easily corrected by changing the diet or drinking regimen, sometimes it can become a symptom of a dangerous disease.

The most common pathological causes of thirst during childbearing are:

• Diabetes.
• Toxicosis.
• Preeclampsia.
• Associated diseases.

Pathological thirst cannot be ignored. It can be suspected when you want to drink all the time and the inability to satisfy this desire with any drinks. This condition requires a complete examination and high-quality treatment, since its outcomes can be too serious.

Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus, or DM, can develop before conception or only during pregnancy. In the second case, it is called gestational and, with appropriate treatment after childbirth, safely disappears.

If a woman has not previously had any changes in blood sugar levels, then a sudden feeling of intense thirst may be a sign of onset gestational diabetes. In addition to the desire to drink, the expectant mother may also notice other symptoms:

• Very frequent urination, or polyuria. Sometimes this symptom is called diabetes, so often you have to go to the toilet.
• Increased appetite, or, conversely, its absence.
• Weight loss.
• Dry skin.
• Nausea and vomiting.

The combination of such signs with a strong thirst for the first time indicates the development of gestational diabetes and requires an immediate determination of blood glucose.

If a woman had diabetes before pregnancy, then a pronounced desire to drink is associated with decompensation of this disease. This can happen during the gestation period, as sugar levels and stress on the body change significantly. But as a rule, people with a long history of diabetes know the warning signs, and if they are constantly thirsty, they go to the doctor in time.

Toxicosis

Toxicosis in the early stages is often accompanied by vomiting. It can be single or - which happens more often - multiple times during the day. This condition can easily lead to dehydration, especially during the hot season.

With severe vomiting, the expectant mother will experience constant intense thirst. If you can’t cope with toxicosis and dehydration on your own, the woman will need treatment in a hospital - intravenous drip fluid.

Increasing thirst against the background of vomiting is a dangerous sign.

Preeclampsia

In the second half of pregnancy, preeclampsia may await the expectant mother. More often it is noted in the later stages, in the third trimester. Like toxicosis, it is a specific complication during the bearing of a baby.

In this case, first of all, women begin to complain about the appearance of edema. However, they in no way indicate an excess of fluid intake. On the contrary, it is a symptom of impaired kidney function, due to which water does not linger in the vascular bed, but accumulates in the surrounding tissues. She practically does not participate in the exchange. That is why, despite the growing swelling, the expectant mother will constantly be thirsty. And it is impossible to limit the flow of fluid in such a situation.

Concomitant diseases

During pregnancy, the defenses are reduced, and various diseases begin to attack the female body. Most often it is SARS, colds, pathologies of the respiratory system - pharyngitis, tonsillitis and bronchitis.

These diseases are often accompanied by an increase in body temperature, which causes thirst. Also, the desire to drink arises from the emerging dryness of the mucous membranes.

The more liquid is ingested during illness, the faster the expectant mother will cope with it. Therefore, a wise organism reacts to the pathological process with increasing thirst.

To distinguish a pathological desire to drink from a physiological one, a doctor's consultation and a certain examination are necessary.

Diagnostics

The doctor is able to suspect the true cause of thirst already during the interview and examination. However, there are a number of tests that are required when this symptom appears. First of all it is:

1. Blood glucose to exclude or confirm diabetes mellitus.
2. General urine analysis. It allows you to determine the protein that appears there only with preeclampsia.
3. General blood analysis. Its changes indicate an inflammatory process.
4. Biochemical study of blood. This is a set of indicators that help to evaluate the work of the liver and kidneys, markers of inflammation, protein composition of the blood.

If necessary, other examinations, such as ultrasound, may be prescribed.

Treatment

It is impossible to get rid of pathological thirst without treating the underlying disease. And the therapy in each case will be different:

• Insulin in diabetes.
• Saline solutions for dehydration.
• Protein preparations for gestosis.
• Anti-inflammatory or antibacterial drugs in case of concomitant diseases.

However, it is equally important to observe the correct drinking regimen. And in the case of physiological thirst, this is the only treatment option.

Drinking regime

While carrying a child, not all drinks are useful. Some are strictly not recommended for quenching thirst. Pregnant women can drink:

• table water.
• weak green tea.
• compotes.
• fruit drinks.
• fresh juices.
• herbal teas (allowed during pregnancy).

Under the ban is sweet carbonated water of all tastes and varieties, energy drinks, tonics, strong black tea, coffee.

Thirst during pregnancy can be common. But in order not to miss a dangerous disease, you must definitely inform your doctor about it.

Every woman has certain needs during pregnancy. And the husbands of such wives know firsthand what it is like to run around in the cold winter in search of fresh strawberries, juicy watermelons or peaches. Some ladies dream of smelling gasoline or paint. It turns out that craving for a certain product means only one thing - a lack of vitamins or trace elements.

Food habits of pregnant women

If a pregnant woman wants something special, then this does not surprise anyone. Some passionately desire to get immediately strawberries on a cold winter day, others want to eat herring with ketchup or milk, and some for some reason want raw meat. It's much easier to find certain foods now than it was 20 years ago. In January, you can easily find strawberries, and even herring is sold in any store, what can we say about a piece of meat.

But the unusual combination of products that a pregnant woman dreams of sometimes simply amazes people. Why do food oddities occur? Why do you want meat during pregnancy? And most importantly, what is the reason for such a strong thrust?

Causes of "pregnant" vagaries

With the onset of pregnancy, the female body is rebuilt. At the very beginning, the pregnant woman suffers from a gag reflex and nausea, and scientists associate these manifestations with the occurrence of food cravings.

Experts say that the female body enhances its work for the benefit of the fetus. That is why it gives signals to the brain that indicate certain needs. Doctors note the special effect of progesterone, which is the initiator of the inclusion of a "search engine". Your attending physician will be able to answer the question why you constantly want meat.

Sometimes food strangeness can harm the health of the unborn child and the mother herself.

Why meat?

As mentioned above, any preference for a pregnant woman is due to the action of a hormone called progesterone. Its amount increases significantly after fertilization, it works like an antivirus that reads information and sends signals about the need to the brain. Thus, progesterone helps the body to get the missing trace element or vitamin.

No need to worry about the emergence of a certain need and find out, for example, why you want meat. Doctors say that this product is simply necessary for pregnant women, because it saturates the body with protein and calcium, which the child needs so much. Every woman in an interesting position should think both about herself and about the future baby.

Benefits of protein foods

Now it is advisable to explain what the benefits of meat are. It is worth considering each type of this product separately, highlighting its advantages.

Thanks to meat products, the work of taste buds, the stomach and pancreas is activated, and appetite also increases. Meat is a product that contains large amounts of B vitamins that prevent stress. These vitamins contribute to the normalization of the metabolic process, help break down fats in the liver, strengthen hair follicles, give hair shine and radiance.

In order for the pregnancy to be asymptomatic and easy, it is necessary to use this particular group of vitamins. In addition, meat is endowed with a large amount of phosphorus, calcium, sodium, sulfur, potassium, chlorine and magnesium.

The influence of meat on the child and the expectant mother

If a pregnant woman wants meat, why not eat it? The most popular type is chicken meat. It contains the most protein, linoleic acid, and B vitamins. These microelements enhance immunity, normalize the functioning of the heart and stomach, and regulate blood cholesterol levels.

Duck meat and turkey meat are considered dietary products. They have a positive effect on the functioning of the brain, skin. These products contain a special acid that destroys cancer cells. The undoubted advantage is that when cooking such meat, you can not use salt, because sodium in the composition gives sourness.

Why do you want pork meat? It's quite simple, because it contains a phenomenal amount of vitamin B, iron and protein, which the body requires. But it is worth noting that this product is absorbed longer than the rest.

But lamb is easily digested, which is rich in iodine, magnesium and iron. The body of a pregnant woman receives a double dose of these trace elements from one piece of lamb. In addition, lecithin lowers cholesterol levels, and lamb meat is rich in this substance. Why do pregnant women want lamb meat? The answer is simple: the body lacks iron.

How to cook?

Doctors and nutritionists agree that during pregnancy it is advisable to eat lean and fresh meat. You should not purchase and even more so cook a frozen product. Meat is best boiled, baked and stewed with vegetables.

It is worth noting that it is better to eat meat without broth, since the liquid absorbs harmful substances during cooking. It is undesirable to eat fried meat, it can cause heartburn.

If you always want meat, why not just cook it. You can cook soup, but only when getting rid of the primary broth. It is enough to drain it after boiling. You also need to remember that meat can be infected, so proper heat treatment, exposure to high temperatures and long cooking are important. And this applies to any kind of presented product.

Why are you craving raw meat?

The addictions of pregnant women can be very unusual. Why do you want raw meat at this time? Here everything is clear as daylight - there is not enough iron in the body. Iron deficiency anemia occurs. Quite often there are cases of lack of hemoglobin in pregnant women - every third woman suffers from anemia in the second trimester. Hemoglobin is needed for the normal development of the fetus, and if it is not enough, then reserves are consumed, which are quickly depleted.

Anemia is the result of oxygen starvation, hormonal imbalance, which is typical for residents of large cities when a pregnant woman stays in a closed, unventilated room for a long time. Often doctors have to deal with situations when a woman in position dreams of chalk, coal, whitewash or raw dough - these are obvious causes of the same anemia. With a lack of iron, the body perverts taste preferences. That's why you crave meat so much. Even if it's raw.

Even experts still cannot understand why pregnant women want raw meat, how an indomitable desire arises to taste a piece of raw pork or minced meat. They only claim that in this way the body is trying to make up for the lack of iron, which is rich in raw meat. This is a subconscious reaction of the brain.

And of course, you can not use this product in its raw form, especially when it comes to a pregnant woman. And the increased content of iron is not the reason for such an action.

What if you don't want meat?

Ladies in an "interesting position" need to eat the right and healthy food for the well-being and health of the baby. But what about vegetarians? Why don't you want meat during pregnancy? These women can't even stand the sight of him, let alone the taste.

Meat can easily be replaced with products such as eggs, fish, cottage cheese and milk. It is enough to eat legumes, nuts, buckwheat and pomegranate juice daily to make up for the lack of iron and protein. For the fetus, a stressful situation is when his mother, being an avid vegetarian, begins to consume meat immensely, which she had not even touched before. And here you should not listen to the recommendations of your beloved relatives, who claim that meat is simply a necessary and indispensable product during pregnancy, that the health of the baby depends on it.

If you are a vegetarian and wonder why other pregnant women crave meat, tell your doctor this detail. A competent specialist will not threaten and intimidate you, he will only help you choose the diet that is right for you. And if you doubt the competence of a doctor, then feel free to replace it with another.

During pregnancy, even the sight of your favorite treats becomes unbearable, and there is an addiction to foods that you didn’t like at all before.

Taste quirks during pregnancy can be very diverse: the desire to eat everything indiscriminately, mix incompatible foods, or, conversely, rejection of any food.

Everyone knows that pregnant women are often “pulled for salty”, and if a woman is suddenly seen eating pickles, then this will certainly raise questions about her possible “interesting position”. In addition, there are a lot of stories, even jokes, when in the middle of the night the expectant mother has a desire to eat something exotic, such as strawberries or peaches in a frosty winter. Often, pregnant women have completely strange needs: to eat sand, chew clay, chew on chalk, etc. And it happens that, on the contrary, a previously beloved product or drink can begin to disgust even at the thought of it. The attitude to smells also changes: favorite perfumes provoke bouts of dizziness, and “kitchen” aromas can even cause expectant mothers to feel sick and even vomit.

Hormonal changes during pregnancy

The main reason that explains the change in taste and the appearance of strange desires in the choice of food is hormonal changes in the body of a pregnant woman, namely the effect of progesterone.

Progesterone- the main hormone of pregnancy, its influence is especially pronounced in the first months of expecting a child. During this period, progesterone is produced by a special structure of the ovary, called the "yellow body", and after 16 weeks of pregnancy, the function of progesterone production is taken over by the placenta, which is fully formed by this time.

Under the influence of progesterone, successful implantation occurs (attachment and introduction of a fertilized egg into the uterine wall), the muscular structures of the uterus are maintained in a relaxed state, and this prevents the development of the threat of abortion. In addition, progesterone affects the preparation of the mammary glands and the formation of lactation.

In addition to a direct effect on the organs of the reproductive system, progesterone has a pronounced effect on the body as a whole.

The fact is that certain transformations take place in the body of the future mother, aimed at supporting the course of pregnancy and creating the most favorable conditions for the development of the unborn baby. Progesterone plays a leading role in these processes, and under its influence, a special accumulation of sensitive cells is formed in the brain, which is called the “pregnancy dominant”. This nerve center regulates the work of all organs and systems in such a way as to protect the unborn baby from various negative influences.

It is due to the work of the “dominant of pregnancy” that many expectant mothers have a variety of taste quirks.

Defensive reaction. A change in taste preferences is also a protective reaction aimed at protecting the body from harmful substances and, conversely, stimulating the intake of useful ones. It is this protective property that explains the appearance of disgust, for example, to coffee, various spices. After all, these products can lead to the development of a threatened abortion. Therefore, the “dominant of pregnancy” works to rid the body of these unwanted products.

If something is missing...

Many expectant mothers experience an irresistible craving for sweets, muffins and chocolate. This is due to the fact that a pregnant woman needs more energy, which means more calories, which are just a lot in various sweets.

And the well-known craving for salty is explained by the fact that the body needs to compensate for the lack minerals, in particular - sodium, an additional amount of which is necessary for the expectant mother, since with the progression of pregnancy, the volume of blood increases and, accordingly, the balance of fluid and mineral components changes.

Increased need for vitamins and minerals is also one of the main explanations for taste quirks during pregnancy. The development of a new life in the body requires an increased intake of many vitamins and minerals. This may explain the desire of the expectant mother to eat strawberries, oranges and other fruits. After all, they are an excellent source of a wide variety of vitamins. Such a desire occurs most often in the evening and at night, because it is during these hours that the work of that part of the nervous system, where the “dominant of pregnancy” is located, occurs most intensively.

Thus, in the first months of pregnancy, “food intuition” is formed. The body is trying to cover the new needs for nutrients, vitamins and trace elements, and outwardly this is manifested by such taste quirks.

Sometimes there are paradoxical, inexplicable changes in taste perception. For example, expectant mothers often develop a metallic taste in their mouths, which is often explained by a decrease in the amount of iron ions in the body. This can lead to anemia - a decrease in hemoglobin in the blood (iron is part of hemoglobin and is the most important functional component of this compound). Anemia leads to a deterioration in the blood supply to the organs and tissues of both the fetus and the mother, and if it is not treated, there is a threat of chronic hypoxia or bleeding. It would seem that at this stage the “dominant of pregnancy” should turn on - so that the woman has a desire to eat something enriched with iron: apples, boiled red meat, pomegranates. But here's the oddity: just the opposite - the expectant mother is disgusted with them. This phenomenon has not yet been scientifically explained. Such "whims" of the body should be compensated by taking specially designed vitamin and mineral complexes for expectant mothers. In them, the amount of vitamins and mineral components is selected in such a way that pregnant women do not experience a lack of nutrients.

Psychological reasons. Sometimes taste quirks during pregnancy do not have a special physiological basis, but occur for a number of psychological reasons. It is known that expectant mothers, in addition to physiological restructuring, also undergo psychological changes, and special eating habits can be their manifestation. Pregnancy, even the most desirable one, is in any case a stress associated with a change in lifestyle and worldview. Not all pregnant women can easily cope with such changes, and therefore some develop irritability, tearfulness, and a need for increased attention. Indeed, during this period, a woman needs special care from others, and a change in taste preferences is one of the ways to get this increased attention.

In fact, it’s rare that the quirks of the taste of expectant mothers are due to only one of the above reasons. Most often they appear as a result of the influence of a complex of physiological and psychological processes occurring in the body of pregnant women.

How to behave

In most cases, a sudden desire to eat something can be indulged - of course, if we are talking about safe foods. For example, if you want chocolate, you can eat a small piece. The limitation applies only to quantity. If you want to eat a kilogram of strawberries or a bar of chocolate, you should limit yourself, as excessive consumption of these products can provoke the development of an allergic reaction. Excessive salt intake will lead to thirst, a change in water-salt metabolism. And the use of a large amount of muffins and sweets will contribute to unwanted weight gain.

Some expectant mothers sometimes have a desire to drink beer, try various delicacies saturated with artificial colors and flavors. Everyone knows that both alcohol and artificial food additives can harm the full development of the fetus, so if such desires arise, you should try to replace these products with something else. For example, beer - on black or brown bread, chewing gum - on fragrant fruits.

When to see a doctor?

If taste quirks begin to interfere with your usual rhythm of life, thoughts about food do not leave you alone, or there is a strong desire to try something completely unhealthy, you should contact your doctor.

It happens that pregnant women want to try something inedible: chalk, clay, damp earth, iron, etc. Such desires may be a sign of a lack of certain minerals, such as calcium and iron. In this case, the doctor will prescribe additional tests for the content of trace elements in the blood and, if necessary, recommend taking additional trace elements.

And in conclusion, I would like to say: in order to minimize the troubles associated with a change in taste preferences, you should make your menu varied and attractive in appearance, do not forget to moderately pamper yourself with sweets or, conversely, pickles, and also take the vitamin and mineral complex recommended by the doctor for pregnant women.