What Your Pregnancy Cravings Are Really Telling You

Cravings are a very common side effect of pregnancy. From the humorous to the downright unusual, almost every woman who has gone through pregnancy has a story about a strange food they craved at one time or another. What many women d not know is food cravings are the body's way of communicating about nutritional deficits. Although the body's communication system is somewhat helpful in determining where a woman's diet is lacking, pregnancy food cravings aren't always for the most healthful of foods. Being knowledgeable about the nutrients the body is truly craving can help a woman make the healthiest decisions for her and her developing baby.

Sweets, especially chocolate, are among the most commonly reported cravings by pregnant women. Often times, when craving chocolate or other sweets, the body is actually crying out for magnesium, chromium, carbon, phosphorus or sulfur. Some healthful sources of these nutrients include nuts and seeds, fruits, legumes, broccoli, grapes, cheese, chicken, fish, eggs, grains, kale, cabbage and sweet potatoes. All of these foods, when consumed as part of a healthy diet, will collectively work to keep pregnancy cravings at bay.