Satisfying Food Cravings Safely

Satisfying Food Cravings Safely

July 24th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Most women at some point in their pregnancy will suddenly feel an incredible craving for some type of food. Whether it’s ice cream or pickles, or both as the old pregnancy tale goes, the urge to get some of what you want right away can sometimes be overwhelming and difficult to ignore.

Most food cravings are entirely harmless. If you really want something sweet or a salty snack, it’s ok to have one. There are a few caveats to this, of course. Simply put, the answer to the question of whether it’s ok to satisfy a food craving is that it depends what you are craving.

Remember Moderation

If you are craving something not particularly healthful, such as potato chips or a chocolate bar, it won’t hurt if you give in. However, if you start to crave that type of food all the time and consume it regularly, you will be replacing healthy foods with those lacking in nutrition and high in fat. Satisfy that sweet tooth or that need for salt, but do so within reason. Don’t eat the whole bag of chips or the whole tub of ice cream. You probably only need a small amount to make that craving go away, and you really won’t feel very good afterwards if you over-do it.

Of course, if you happen to be craving healthy foods like fruits and vegetables, eat as much as you would like! Just be sure to vary your choices to get a range of nutrients in your diet.

The best way to deal with a craving for a food that is less than healthy is to wait it out. Most cravings will go away if you distract yourself and force your body to wait before you give in. If you wait and the craving doesn’t fade, the next best solution is to try to find a food that is similar but a little healthier. If you are craving French fries, try baked sweet potato fries instead. Try to satisfy a desire for potato chips with a baked snack cracker. If you really must have chocolate, choose a small amount of dark chocolate, which contains healthy anti-oxidants. Use caution with chocolate, however, as it does contain caffeine.

Cravings for Strange, Unhealthy Things

Some women suffer from cravings for very unusual things during pregnancy. This is known as pica. Women may find themselves craving completely inedible things such as dirt, bleach, or soap. There is a great deal of speculation and discussion on what causes pica, but the jury is still out. It is possible that it may be linked to mineral deficiencies such as low iron. It goes without saying that you can’t give in to these cravings. If they become bothersome, contact your doctor.

If you are craving something not quite so strange but still not advisable for consumption during pregnancy such as alcohol or sushi, you will likely have to do your best to ignore it. You can try the above advice and have a substitute, such as dealcoholized wine, or sushi that does not contain raw fish. Unfortunately, if this doesn’t work, you are going to have to tough it out. It isn’t worth the danger of consuming something that could harm your baby.

The good news is, giving in to most normal pregnancy cravings won’t harm the baby, as long as you eat junk foods in small amounts and try to find healthy alternatives that will satisfy the craving while keeping your pregnancy diet on track.

Nutrition: The Role of Carbohydrates

Nutrition: The Role of Carbohydrates

July 23rd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

In recent years, carbs have replaced fat as the scapegoat in weight gain. Low-carb and no-carb diets have come into fashion. The problem is that carbohydrates are necessary to good health and nutrition. The body uses carbs to create glucose, which provides your system with energy. Carbohydrates essentially fuel the body.

The Types of Carbohydrates

There are two types of carbohydrates: simple and complex. Simple carbs are foods high in both natural and added sugars. They break down quickly and tend to be higher in calories with less nutritional value. Fruits are a natural source of simple carbs, but any processed food that contains extra sugar, or any form of sugar is included in this category. These foods include sodas, candy, baked goods such as cakes and cookies, and even white bread.

Complex carbohydrates, on the other hand, take longer to break down and include starches and dietary fiber. These types of carbs include foods such as potatoes, rice, breads, grains and many vegetables. The key to getting the healthy complex carbs is to choose foods made with whole grains. This means choosing whole wheat bread instead of white or brown rice rather than white rice.

Because these foods take longer for your body to break down, they will keep you feeling full longer, which can curb overeating and keep your calorie intake in check. They will also give you extended energy rather than the quick bursts of energy provided by simple carbs.

Whole grains are also a healthier choice because they have not been processed or refined, and all of their nutritional content is intact. Some refined grains have the nutrition added back in after processing, and these are called enriched grains. Although a healthier choice than those that have not been enriched, you are still better off going with the natural whole grain. Enriched grains will not be able to provide you with the same amount of dietary fiber or have the other benefits of eating whole grains.

There is a place for simple carbs in a healthy diet, but try to get them from natural sources such as fruit which also provide nutritional benefits. Foods with added sugars should be an occasional treat.

How Much Should You Eat?

The right amount of carbohydrates ranges from 45-65% of your diet. This means that you should be eating more carbohydrates than either protein or fat. However, these carbs should mostly be in the form of complex carbohydrates.

With your intake of carbs each day, you should aim to ingest the appropriate amount of dietary fiber. The right amount for you depends on the number of calories you are eating each day. If you are eating the correct carbs, it shouldn’t be difficult to meet your body’s fiber needs. Spread the fiber out over the day so that you can stay full and prevent overeating of other, less healthy foods. You will find that when you are consuming the correct amount of fiber, you won’t have much room in your diet for unhealthy foods.

While low-carb diets will probably be successful in helping you to lose weight, in the long run it is not a healthy diet. You will be robbing your body of necessary energy. Choosing instead to cut simple carbs from your diet and continuing to fuel your body with healthy, whole grain choices will result in not only a healthier body weight, but also more energy.

Food Cravings and Nutritional Deficiencies

Food Cravings and Nutritional Deficiencies

July 22nd, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Although most food cravings during pregnancy don’t signify anything other than hormones, hunger, or suggestibility, some experts believe that strange food cravings may actually be a sign of a nutritional deficiency. These unusual cravings for inedible non-food items are known as pica, and they affect a very small number of women.

Normal Cravings During Pregnancy

Most pregnant women will experience some sort of craving for a food or beverage at some point in the pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones are generally to blame. Food cravings can be just as much emotional as physical, especially during pregnancy when those hormones are causing emotions to run high. Certain foods may bring a sense of comfort or security.

Many women will notice that they seem to be very suggestible during pregnancy. A commercial for or mention of a certain food can set off a very strong craving for that item.

Generally, food cravings during pregnancy are for normal foods, although not always the healthiest choices. Some women do crave very healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables, but most crave junk foods such as potato chips, baked goods, or ice cream. While not all of these cravings are a good idea to indulge regularly, they don’t indicate any sort of problem and are a completely normal part of pregnancy. Most often, a food craving is not for a food that contains any special amount of nutrition, so it seems very unlikely that the body is trying to tell you something by craving a food that won’t supply much nourishment.

The main problem that might arise from this type of craving is causing a certain level of irritation to the father to be who is sent out in search of a certain food at random times of the day and night!

Abnormal Cravings

While most women will crave completely harmless foods, a small percentage will experience a condition known as pica. This term is used to describe a craving for something very unusual, non-nutritive, and generally unsafe for consumption. These cravings can include dirt, soaps and detergents, and other odd choices.

There are some people who believe that this type of craving may be related to a nutritional deficiency of some kind, however there is currently no strong evidence to confirm it. Presently, no one really knows what actually causes pica.

If you have reason to suspect you have some sort of deficiency in your diet, you should talk to your doctor. Most pregnant women who are eating a balanced diet and taking a prenatal supplement daily are not at risk for a major nutritional deficiency. The most likely nutrient to become too low during pregnancy is iron, and this is indicated by symptoms such as fatigue, and not by food cravings. Although you may often hear people say things like “I am craving meat, my iron must be low!” there is no evidence to support pregnancy cravings as being connected with low levels of vitamins or minerals.

If you are craving a healthy food, go right ahead and indulge it. It probably doesn’t mean you were low on the nutrients provided by that food, but it certainly can’t hurt to consume a little more. On the other hand, cravings for unhealthy or junk foods should be satisfied carefully and in moderation, to keep your diet healthy and balanced.