Dealing With Food Cravings
Posted on February 15, 2008
Filed Under Pregnancy Food Plan | Leave a Comment
Indulging your cravings for certain foods can make you feel better, physically and emotionally. But if the foods you crave are high in calories, harmful fats and sugar, set healthy limits for your self. Taking charge of your cravings is not difficult. Try the following strategies to help you control them.
- Substitute the food you crave with healthier choices, at least some of the time. For example, have nonfat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream.
- Eat breakfast every day. There’s some evidence that skipping breakfast increases cravings.
- Exercise regularly. Physical activity controls your appetite by elevating blood sugar levels. Exercise also takes you away from your kitchen and your thoughts away from your craving,
- Make sure you have emotional support. Pregnancy taxes your emotional resources, especially if you are juggling a changing relationship with your partner a career, and a full social life. This may cause you to reach for some comfort food when in fact all you need is a hug.
Unusual Cravings
Some women begin to crave nonfood items such as ice, dirt, paint, coffee grounds, chalk, cornstarch, cigarette ashes, soap, and toothpaste. This is known as pica and, even though none of the listed items contains iron, pica has been associated with iron deficiency. If you experience pica, you need inform your care provider right away. nonfood items may contain toxic substances that may be harmful to your baby.
Sources of Vitamin C
Your vitamin C requirements double in pregnancy. The best sources for this vitamin are as follows.
- Citrus fruits and berries such as raspberries and strawberries.
- Citrus fruit juices such as orange and grapefruit juice (one glass of fortified orange juice supplies all the vitamin C you need for a day)
- Papaya, guava, and kiwifruit.
- Vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and spinach.
Tags:blood sugar levels, harmful fats, iron deficiency, Pregnancy Food Plan, sources of vitamin c vitamin c requirements
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