A craving is a strong, sudden desire for certain foods during pregnancy. Most mothers experience at least one. Cravings often start toward the end of the first trimester, peak in the second trimester and then fade. Sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavors are the most commonly craved. A sudden aversion to some smells and foods can come along at the same time.
The exact cause of cravings is not known. Hormonal changes, a heightened sense of smell and taste, and emotional factors seem to play a role. Eating a food you crave in moderation is usually fine. What matters is keeping your overall diet balanced and avoiding foods that are not recommended in pregnancy. If you have a very strong, constant craving for sweets, mentioning it at a checkup can also be useful for gestational diabetes screening.
Wanting to eat things that are not food, such as soil, clay, ice, starch or soap, is called pica. It is not considered a type of craving and is sometimes linked to iron deficiency. If you notice a craving like this, tell your doctor. Logging your cravings helps you spot that difference and also lets you collect small memories of your pregnancy. Seeing what you wanted at each stage is fun as well.
What you can do
- Add a craving from a ready list with one tap or type your own.
- Rate how strong each craving is from 1 to 5.
- Add a short note if you like.
- See the food you crave most and how many entries you made this week.
- Browse your history on a timeline.
- Get an AI analysis of your entries.
How to use it
- When you crave something, pick it from the quick add list or type it in.
- Mark how strong the craving is and add a note if you like.
- Use the stats to see what you crave most.
- Run the AI analysis after a few entries.
Frequently asked questions
When do pregnancy cravings start?
Cravings often start toward the end of the first trimester, around weeks 5 to 8. They are usually strongest in the second trimester and fade as birth gets closer. Some mothers never have them, while others have them throughout pregnancy. Both are normal. Noting when your cravings began makes it easier to look back later.
What causes cravings during pregnancy?
The exact cause is not known. The strongest explanation is that pregnancy hormones change how you perceive taste and smell. Higher energy needs, emotional factors and cultural habits may also play a role. Beliefs that cravings reveal the baby's sex, or that not eating a craved food leaves a mark on the baby, have no scientific basis.
What happens if you don't eat what you crave while pregnant?
Nothing harmful happens to your baby if you do not eat a food you crave, and birthmarks or marks on the baby from unmet cravings have not been shown scientifically. If what you crave is healthy and safe, eating it in moderation is fine. If you crave risky foods such as raw meat or unpasteurized cheese, it is better to choose a safe alternative.
Why do pregnant women crave dirt?
The urge to eat things that are not food, such as dirt, clay, ice or starch, is called pica. It is more common in pregnancy and is sometimes linked to iron or other mineral deficiencies. Dirt and clay should not be eaten because they carry a risk of infection and poisoning. If you notice an urge like this, tell your doctor, who may order a blood test.