Why do i crave what i can't have!?

Question

Im pregnant and all i want to eat is peanut butter, crunchy nut cornflakes, nice boiled egg (not hard boiled), lots of tuna and a pint of lager! argh! anybody else like this!? (the worst thing is i want to breast feed to i can even have them when the baby is born!)

Answer 1

I know the feeling but much of what you have listed is supposed to be OK to eat! Its a pain in the back-side because it seems to me that what area you live in depends on the advice about what you can and cant eat is given to you. I was told to eat a tin of Tuna every week to help with the babys bones and growth, and whats more ive also been told that the whole peanut thing has been decided that as long as you dont have an allergy then its ok to eat peanuts!! ARGGGGGHHHHH how frustrating. It kind of makes me mad that we all (as pregnant women) get different ideas on whats acceptible and whats not because apart from the runny egg if I had your midwife (or whoever told you what you couldnt eat) id probably have done some damage by now! Anyway I know what you mean. Im craving Quiche but have been told its not ok to have it....you have possibly been told its fine (ha ha ha) Anyway Goodluck with the rest of the pregnancy and bring on the days when we can pig out on whatever hey!!! x

Answer 2

Unless you or your partner have allergies then there is no reason why you can't eat peanut butter or crunchy nut cornflakes.
If you buy your eggs from a UK supermarket the chances of them having salmonella is absolutely minimal because all chickens in the UK are now vaccinated against it, so have a soft boiled egg!
A can of tuna once a week is fine.
You might want to stay off the beer, but you can buy non alcoholic beer.

I think you are taking the advice on eating during pregnancy a little too zealously and don't fully understand the reasons why you are not supposed to eat these things. For example, not eating soft boiled eggs is purely about avoiding salmonella. If you were to get salmonella, it wouldn't harm your baby, it would just make you feel lousy and there is some risk of dehydration. But the risk of salmonella for a Lion stamped egg is tiny. You need to weigh up the risks and the benefits. The benefits you will get from eggs are extensive in terms of supplying your baby with protein for growth and a range of vitamins and minerals. That far outweighs the risks, as long as you chose your source carefully.

Answer 3

Cos life's a *****!
But to answer the question - as someone has already pointed out, unless there is a close family history of allergies then the risk is minimal.With my 1st pregnancy I was by the book and by the 3rd I was sensible!The 3rd child weighed in at 9 and a half pounds, over 2 pounds heavier than the 1st, fed like a trooper from the start, no allergies and bright as a button so I certainly did no harm!
I enjoyed a very ocassional glass of wine, but I enjoyed Stout - full of iron and seemed to be a satisfying drink at the time tho not so appealing now! (probably because I am free to enjoy all the other alchoholic drinks now!)
Don't get too wound up with what's right and wrong - relax and enjoy and a little bit of what you fancy does you no harm.
Good luck!

Where are the thumbs down coming from for those that have said moderation is ok?! I take it is probably the same person doing it but I see no other answer that really contradicts our answers so what's the point?! We've all given honest and friendly repsonses If a person has a problem then they should put their own point of view across too. Sorry - I am not meaning to take up your question space but it's just aggrivates me!

Answer 4

I had all of the above-even the occasional half-apart from the crunchy nut cornflakes as I wouldnt eat those any way!! and my daughter is fantastic always happy and well!!

The only thing from the list I was carefull with was the eggs they were hard boiled!!
Oh and you shouldnt really have peanut butter in case or allergies but you know that anyway!!!

Congrats and good luck!!!:-)

Answer 5

Obviously the beer is a no-no, but I understand the desire. (Especially after an entirely too stressful night at work!) However, there is nothing wrong with the peanut butter (as long as it's not Peter Pan). In fact its a good source of iron, which you need right now. I would shy away from eggs that aren't fully cooked, just due to the risk of salmonella poisoning. And actually tuna in moderation is recommended for pregnant and nursing moms because it has a high level of omega-3 fatty acids which promotes brain growth. If you are really concerned about not being able to eat these foods talk to your health care provider before completely ruling them out of your diet. I say go for it, I see nothing wrong with these foods (except the alcohol, which you can have while breastfeeding, in moderation). Best wishes and take care.

Answer 6

Most of that stuff is okay. Don't eat more than 12 oz of Light Tuna in a week. That's what, four cans??? Europeans drink alcohol during pregnancy all the time. Most cultures do and your mother most likely drank while she was pregnant with you. A glass of beer won't kill you, just don't make it a habit. Nuts are fine during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Just don't let your baby eat peanut butter. You seem really paranoid. You should lay down and relax because you are really over thinking things.

Answer 7

I've never been pregnant, but a lot of the cravings are from fluctuating horomones. It's definitely not abnormal, at least your not one of the women who actually suffer from pica, where a person craves and consumes non-food substances(rocks, matches, dirt, ice chips etc.) Your food cravings don't sound harmful, so i'd say go for it. And eat light-tuna, it's better for the baby. Some fish can be harmful. Good luck :)

Answer 8

Why can't you eat peanut butter or eggs or cornflakes? Even tuna is fine (canned tuna, not albacore, has the lowest amount of mercury). I'd stay away from the lager, but enjoy everythign else!

Eat away and be happy!

Answer 9

i haven't stopped eating theses things except larger, as long as you eat no more than 2 tins of tuna a week, the egg should be OK as long as it's a red loin egg, as for peanut butter and cornflakes, i still eat them and I'm pregnant, it's just in case your baby's allergic.

Answer 10

Mine was honey roasted peanuts and runny fried egg with chips!! I have also heard of women craving things like coal and plaster. My friends mum craved the smell of petrol,and would just sit at her local petrol station with the car window open. I am convinced this is why my friend is such a nutter!