Cravings, aversions and the snack drawer

Pickled onions with ice cream. Agege bread at midnight. Suddenly hating the smell of the jollof you once lived on. Cravings and aversions are part of pregnancy folklore, and many women really do experience them. They are thought to be linked to hormones and a heightened sense of smell and taste. Most are harmless, some are a gentle nudge to eat better, and a few are worth mentioning to your midwife.

Cravings: listen, but kindly

Cravings are usually fine to enjoy in moderation. A bowl of ice cream or a few chin chin will not harm your baby. The trouble comes when cravings for sweet or salty foods start to crowd out the nourishing ones. Try to meet the craving halfway with a healthier swap.

If you crave something sweet

• Fresh fruit such as mango, pineapple, banana or orange segments.
• Plain yoghurt with a drizzle of honey and sliced fruit.
• A small handful of dried fruit, like dates or raisins.
• Porridge or pap with a sliced banana.

If you crave something salty or crunchy

• Roasted groundnuts or plain popcorn, unless you are allergic.
• Oatcakes or wholegrain crackers with cheese.
• Roasted plantain or corn.
• Carrot or cucumber sticks with hummus.

If you crave something cold

• Frozen grapes or banana slices.
• Homemade ice lollies made from blended fruit.
• Chilled watermelon.

If you crave something filling

• Wholemeal toast with a boiled egg.
• A small bowl of beans and plantain.
• A jacket potato with baked beans.
• A wrap with chicken and salad.

Aversions: work around them

Some women find that foods they used to love, such as meat, fish, eggs, coffee or fried foods, suddenly make them feel sick. This often eases with time. Meanwhile:

• Swap to a similar food that does the same job. If meat is off the menu, try beans, lentils, eggs or cheese for protein.
• If greens are a struggle, blend vegetables into soups, stews or smoothies.
• Eat cold food if cooking smells bother you.
• Do not force yourself. Eat what you can manage, and talk to your midwife if you are losing weight or eating very little.

The craving to always mention: non-food items

Some women crave things that are not food, such as ice, chalk, clay, soil, starch or ash. This is called pica. In some communities, eating clay or calabash chalk (nzu or eko) in pregnancy is common, but these can contain harmful substances such as lead and are not safe for you or your baby. A craving like this can also be a sign of low iron. Please tell your midwife or doctor about it without embarrassment. They will not judge you, and a simple blood test may help.

The snack drawer

Hunger in pregnancy often arrives suddenly and urgently. Keeping a few good snacks within reach helps you avoid reaching for whatever is nearest. Ideas for your bag, desk or bedside:

• A small bag of nuts or roasted groundnuts.
• Oatcakes or wholegrain crackers.
• A banana or an apple.
• A small box of raisins.
• A bottle of water.

A word about blood sugar

If you have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, your care team will give you specific advice about food and snacks. Follow their plan, and ask if you need ideas that suit your culture and budget. Feeling very thirsty, needing to pass urine a lot more than usual, or feeling very tired are worth mentioning to your midwife, as they can sometimes be signs of high blood sugar.

Daily bread

Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11). Pregnancy can make even food feel complicated, from the craving you cannot satisfy to the meal you cannot face. That simple prayer invites you to bring your appetite to God one day at a time, trusting Him for today's nourishment without worrying about tomorrow's.

You do not have to eat perfectly. Aim for mostly nourishing, sometimes indulgent and always without guilt.

A prayer for today's appetite

Lord, You know what my body wants and what it needs. Give me today the food that will nourish me and my baby, and the wisdom to choose well. Where I can eat little, sustain us both. Thank You for every good gift. Amen.