Food cravings during pregnancy

Food cravings during pregnancy can sometimes present ethical problems as well. Many pregnant vegetarian women find they get uncontrollable cravings for meat. During pregnancy your requirements for protein are greater and a craving for meat may be a message from your body that it needs more first-class protein. There is no easy answer to this. Some women give in to the craving over the short-term and revert to strict vegetarianism after the birth. Others find that including fish or balancing pulses and grains in their diet boosts their protein intake. Including more eggs, milk or cheese in your diet is another way to provide good protein.

Finally, some women experience uncontrollable cravings for chocolate while they are pregnant. Chocolate is a complex food, which can bring about a complex series of biochemical reactions in the body. Chocolate, particularly dark chocolate, can be a useful source of magnesium and iron. So if you are craving chocolate, you may be slightly anaemic. Less sugary sources of these minerals include nuts, seeds, dates and figs (for magnesium) and red meat, eggs, nuts, seeds, beans and oatmeal (for iron).

Eating chocolate also stimulates the release of 'feel good' brain chemicals (called neurotransmitters) in the body; this combined with the immediate sugar boost, may help a woman who is tired or depressed to feel better, albeit for a short time.

Most commercially produced chocolate, however, is laced with additives and other undesirable synthetic chemicals (many of which are not listed on the label). So if occasionally you just have to give into the craving, try having organic chocolate as a somewhat healthier alternative.

A more positive approach to feeling good, however, would be to pursue a regular course of exercise and relaxation. If you're depressed you may want to consult a therapist to help you.

At the other end of the scale are aversions. As long as your diet contains a wide variety of foods, the odd aversion is unlikely to cause problems. However, if you suddenly develop an aversion to a food that is major source of nutrients for you, make sure you substitute other foods which will make up the deficit.

It is not uncommon for omnivorous women to suddenly develop an aversion to red meat during pregnancy. Like their vegetarian counterparts, as long as they are eating plenty of other protein foods (fish, cheese, nuts, tofu) and leafy green vegetables they too will be getting the iron and protein they require.

Meet other mums-to-be who are due at the same time as you.