Manage These 7 Pregnancy Cravings with Healthier Alternatives
Among the many things in pregnancy that are challenging, cravings can be one of the most frustrating. Managing them can be dispiriting, especially when trying to keep you and the baby healthy.
Good news is, there are many ways to satisfy them with better alternatives. Here are some tips:
1. Sweet Cravings
For candies and sugary desserts: Fresh fruits usually do the trick for sweet cravings. You can also opt for yogurt mixed with berries. Bananas, apples with peanut butter, and homemade smoothies with natural sweetness are great options.
For ice cream cravings: Homemade ice cream is easier than you think – and healthier too! Freeze any fruit and throw them in the blender. You can also experiment with creative fruit combinations like bananas and strawberries to keep your dessert exciting. Greek yogurt can also be an option with a bit of honey or other natural sweeteners.
2. Salty Cravings
Instead of chips: Go for air-popped popcorn, whole-grain crackers with hummus, or roasted chickpeas for dips richer in protein. Baked kangkong chips or any baked vegetable can also satisfy that salty crunch. There are a couple of healthy air fryer recipes you can experiment with on vegetables if oven baking is not an option!
Instead of fries: Try baked sweet potato fries or other roasted vegetables sprinkled with herbs or simply salt and pepper. Remember to not add too much salt as this can cause swelling and bloating.
3. Carb Cravings
White bread or pastries alternatives: Although white bread is somewhat safe it should be taken in moderation during pregnancy as the refined grains used to make them can increase your risk of preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. For intense cravings, it’s better to go for whole-grain options, like whole-wheat toast, quinoa, or oatmeal.
You can even make a homemade version of pizza using a whole-wheat bread topped with bell pepper and onions and moderate amount of cheese.
4. Chocolate Cravings
Milk chocolate cravings: When craving for a chocolate bar, always go for the dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or higher). Pair it with nuts or dip strawberries in melted dark chocolate for a healthier treat. You can even resort to trial mix with nuts, seeds, and a few dark chocolate chips to get both the sweetness and the crunch.
5. Fatty or Greasy Food Cravings
Fried food alternatives: Instead of frying with oil, try grilling, baking, or roasting foods like chicken, fish, or veggies. Try using olive oil for cooking also instead of butter or margarine.
Creamy dip alternatives: Creamy dips can be high in fat. Make a healthier version using Greek yogurt as a base for your favorite dips. Mix honey and mustard with Greek yogurt to make honey mustard, or make buffalo dip by mixing hot sauce, garlic powder, and chives! Try looking for Greek yogurt based dips and get creative.
6. Soda or Sugary Drinks
Instead of soda: Sometimes you just want that flavor and fizz in a soda. A healthier alternative can be fruit-infused water. Aside from lemon water, you can also try other zesty fruits like lime, or berries. Just make sure to use natural sweeteners if you want to add sweetness to it.
Instead of sweetened coffee: Pregnant women are recommended to keep their intake of caffeine to less than 200 mg a day. High levels of caffeine may lead to risk of having a miscarriage and also may lead to a low-birth weight baby. As an alternative, try herbal teas, decaf coffee with a little milk, or ginger tea.
Tip to reduce cravings for sugary drinks: One trick to reduce, or completely quench, your thirst for sugary drinks is to drink water first. You’ll notice that the craving for something sweet can significantly reduce or even go away altogether! When out, remember to be mindful of the source of the water as some may contain contaminants that harm you and your baby so it’s better to bring your own clean water.
Most doctors recommend Wilkins Distilled based on IQVIA study in 2023. Apart from their 25 years of water science expertise and globally ISO certified processes, they follow an 8-step distillation process that is safest, gentlest, and cleanest, which makes them the pacesetter for hydration health in the Philippines.
7. Spicy Cravings
Instead of spicy junk food: You can satisfy spicy cravings with healthier options like grilled chicken or fish seasoned with spices, or salsa with whole-grain tortilla chips.
Additional Tips:
● Eat smaller, frequent meals to avoid intense hunger that can lead to poor food choices.
● Stay hydrated. Sometimes cravings can be confused with thirst.
● Balance indulgences: It’s okay to satisfy cravings occasionally. Just try to balance it out with healthy choices throughout the day.
● Prepare snacks in advance so you’re less tempted by unhealthy options when hunger strikes.