Why do some women eat differently while they're pregnant?

Question

Is it hormones? An excuse to splurge?

Just to be more specific - when I say "differently" I mean eating strange things like pickles, bologna and ice cream all together.. some good answers so far, thanks - all except for one - and it stands out.. from the looks of things you guys didn't like the answer either judging by the current rating.

Answer 1

They eat differently because now, they not only have to eat for themselves, but for the baby too. So it's not an excuse to splurge, it's the necessity to eat enough nourishment for two people. Also, our bodies have a strange way of telling us what things we need to eat. Not just when we are pregnant either. When you have cravings for a certain type of food, that's usually your body's way of letting you know to hurry up and go eat whatever that is because it has something in it that will be beneficial to your body's health and nutrition. When a woman is pregnant, She has two bodies talking to her: hers and her baby's, Hence the strange food combinations.

Answer 2

Some women do use it for an excuse to splurge. Some women have been taught they have to "eat for two" and literally double their eating.

During both of my pregnancies, I really never ate any more than normal. Maybe a very little bit, but for the most part, I did not. Might I add here, that I wasn't starving...I just wasn't hungry and didn't need to eat.

I didn't get cravings either. I asked doctors and this is how they've explained it to me.

When a pregnant woman craves a food, it's their body's way of saying it needs something. Like, if she's craving ice cream, chances are her body is needing calcium for the baby's developing bones and teeth.

While I'm not a "health nut" by any means, when I was pregnant with both of my children, I done my very best to eat much better. Because of this, my body never "lacked" and therefore never "craved."

I also actually lost weight during both pregnancies and wore pre-maternity clothes home from the hospital both times. Notice, I said "I" lost weight.....not my babies (I gained, although not much, but after the delivery, what was left of "me" was less).

They were perfect and both weighed more than six pounds each. Never had one day's problem with either and now at the ages of 7 and 4, they are in the mid to upper area on the expected growth chart for children.

So, while I'm not saying that this is the case with every woman (as all women ARE different, just like all pregnancies, births and babies are different) I am saying that this is my story, and this is what the doctors told me.

Answer 3

Sometimes you eat a lot when you are pregnant, you are very hungry sometimes. Your hormones do have a lot to do with your appetite during pregnancy. Sometimes you crave certain foods and other foods make you want to throw up.

You're right, some women (even me sometimes) use pregnancy as an excuse to splurge a little.

Answer 4

Because they are having to eat to sustain another human life. Some women DO use it as an excuse to splurge but that's a rare thing, most just eat more cause they are hungry more becuase they have a baby depending on them for nourishment.

Answer 5

A bit of both, I'd say. Some women have cravings (I know I do!) and some justify eating whatever they want because they are eating for two. I'm 34 weeks pregnant right now and I do occasionally eat things that aren't the best, but I try to be healthy most of the time.

Answer 6

no matter if the guy's mind is larger, the relationship between the left part and the right fringe of a lady's mind is larger. adult men and women praise one yet another. that's the reality. yet politics and stupidity frequently get in the way. Too many females favor to be like adult men, because they sense femininity is inferior. a minimum of that's how that's considered in adult men's eyes...

Answer 7

Their bodies are demanding different nutrients. Their sense of taste and smell changes as well. It isn't an excuse to splurge. They've earned the right.

Answer 8

I'd give la locita's answer a thumbs down but I'm not at level 2 yet...... and I agree with S.O.'s comment. I see you also got some honorable mention in your answer to the "toning up your legs" Featured Question by one of the Yahoo! Answer staff.... way to go!

Answer 9

Becaue they eat for 2 people now and the baby wants what he wants to eat and on some level [genes and horomones] he controls what his mom is eating

Answer 10

there zinc levels are out of wack. Thats the element that makes you crave weird things.