Cravings

With the passage of the July 4th holiday and all the food I consumed I couldn't help but think back to my pregnancy days and the fabulousness that was cravings and giving in to them!

Don't get me wrong I had a solid 5 months of all day sickness and eating came in spurts but once I moved past that, those two weeks where my stomach still longed for food and could hold more than a thimble were were GREAT!

My second pregnancy was unplanned and I had NO IDEA I was pregnant. I was a bottomless pit, though. I ate anything and everything in sight for a good two weeks before we found out we were expecting again. Then the moment the stick read pregnant, I puked my brains up and continued to do so for 4 months or so. Then came the fun...the cravings...the eating! YUM!

With my first pregnancy, my son, I could not get enough lemonade, chicken francaise, limes and gravy fries. Maybe an explanation for my heartburn? I think so! Anyway, I would have killed for any of those foods. I LOVED them...my baby LOVED them! Interestingly enough my son now adores lemonade!

With my second pregnancy the cravings became a bit more interesting. My main craving for the 7.5 months of that pregnancy? Fettuccine Alfredo and Grape soda. I know, I know. I'm sorry if you're pregnant and that made you sick. Even if you're not pregnant and that made you sick, I'm sorry! But it was O. So. Good. I also loved pancakes with maple syrup and a dill pickle on the side. Again, I'm sorry.

I gave in to my cravings. When I wanted something I ate it. I kept waiting for the really weird cravings to begin. The pica. Luckily, it never happened for me. Unless you count my crazy need for maternity clothes. I did begin to worry about my cravings because gravy fries and alfredo aren't exactly all that healthy. I took my concerns to my fabulous OB/GYN.

She informed me that because weight was not an issue for me and my BP problems were not related to food I should be ok. She also told me that generally the cravings are an indicator that the body is in need of some vitamin. The lemonade and limes from my first pregnancy were most likely an indicator that I needed Vitamin C. The Alfredo and grape soda she wasn't so sure about. But I also had a lot of red meat cravings during my second pregnancy. I ate steak and burgers a bit more than I thought I should but it appeared I needed the protein.

Cravings, while sometimes just a trick that our brain and stomach are playing on us, can also be indicators that we need something more. Cautiously giving in to your cravings can be ok and might even be helpful! So, go ahead indulge in that five cheese burrito covered in maple syrup- just keep the Tums and a garbage can nearby!