Julie, my elder cousin who lives in the USA, once shared her experience from her first pregnancy. Out of the blue, she asked me, “What are some weird pregnancy craving combinations that I craved the most?” Then she went on to describe her own unusual cravings—cashew nuts with ice cream, chocolate with soft drinks, and a few other odd combinations.
In Western countries, many women have peculiar cravings during pregnancy. Some crave pickle sandwiches, Hot Cheetos dipped in strawberry yogurt, sauerkraut on peanut butter toast, noodles with ice cream, chicken wings with maple syrup, red meat paired with cream soda, potato chips with Nutella, and even soy sauce with bananas.
I still vividly remember my own craving during the last trimester of my second pregnancy. It was around 11 p.m., and it was pouring rain outside with thunderstorms rumbling through the night. At that late hour, I had an intense craving for fuchka—our beloved Bengali traditional snack, similar to crispy shells filled with spiced potatoes—but with an unusual twist: garlic mushrooms. Can you imagine craving something like that in the middle of the night during such horrible weather, with all the shops and markets closed?
Feeling disappointed, I casually mentioned to my husband how excited I would be to have some spicy fuchka with garlic mushrooms. A few moments later, I realized my husband, Mr. Khan, was no longer in the room. I called out to him several times, but there was no response. Thinking he might be downstairs, I waited, but after half an hour of silence and unanswered calls, I started to worry.
Just as I was becoming truly anxious, to my surprise, I saw him walking in, completely soaked from head to toe, holding a bag of fuchka. I was stunned for a good 30 seconds, unable to believe my eyes.
“How did you manage to get this?” I asked in disbelief.
He simply smiled and said, “It’s not a big deal.”
That moment is etched in my memory forever. Though it was just a weird craving, my husband’s effort turned it into a beautiful, unforgettable experience. According to the American Pregnancy Association, around 50-90% of pregnant women experience food cravings at some point during pregnancy.
What are some weird pregnancy cravings?
Among weird pregnancy cravings, there can be both food and non-food items. However, not all of us experience the same cravings. Some can be weird, unhealthy, or foods with no nutritional value. Each woman experiences different types of food cravings, which can range from a single unusual item to a combination of items.
Most importantly, a woman may face these cravings numerous times throughout her first and second trimesters. For example, sweet items like ice cream, chocolate, candy, and baked goods (e.g., cookies, cakes) are common. Some prefer salty or savory items like pickles, chips, French fries, and cheese. Others enjoy sour foods like lemons, vinegar, and citrus fruits. Interestingly, some women find themselves unable to eat their favorite foods. Isn’t that surprising?
Like many others, I faced pregnancy cravings. I am a mother of two kids now, and I experienced different cravings during both my pregnancies. My friends, cousins, and people around me have also shared their food craving experiences. Now, I will share a few of them.
Let me tell you another story about my cousin Arifa. During her first trimester of pregnancy, when she still didn’t know she was pregnant, she suddenly woke up at 3:00 a.m. with an intense craving for peanut butter—something she had never liked before. Can you imagine? Arifa was crying desperately to have it. Her husband quickly placed an order from a 24-hour online shop. After having it, she finally calmed down. What a situation that was!
These are just a few examples of common food cravings. Some women even crave foods they’ve never tried before.
Is it normal to crave non-food items in pregnancy?
Have you ever heard the name Pica? Let me tell you a story. One of my friends, Sheela, shared that during her first trimester, she had an unusual craving—she wanted to eat stones. Naturally, she was afraid because it was the first time she had felt like eating such a non-food item. After that, Sheela immediately consulted with her gynecologist. Do you know what the doctor told her? You might be shocked to hear it—I certainly was.
The doctor explained that pregnant women can sometimes crave non-food items like chalk, dirt, clay, ice, soap, stones, and more. This condition is called Pica, which refers to abnormal cravings during pregnancy.
Not every woman experiences it, but some do. The gynecologist also explained that nutrient deficiencies, such as a lack of iron or zinc, can trigger Pica during pregnancy. If a woman eats these non-food items, it can lead to serious health problems, including blockages in the digestive system or damage to internal organs. It can even harm the unborn baby. That’s why it’s important for pregnant women to be cautious if they experience symptoms of Pica.
Now, you might wonder, “I was pregnant too, so why didn’t I know about this condition?” The answer is simple: I never experienced cravings for non-food items during my pregnancy journey.
Why do pregnant women crave weird food combinations?
They occur due to the hormonal changes in the body. Women go through several hormonal (estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones) changes throughout their entire pregnancy. So it is very natural that they have weird cravings during that time.“Hormonal changes during pregnancy, particularly fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, can influence the intensity and type of food cravings.”
What stage of pregnancy do you get weird cravings?
Generally weird food hit the hardest at the 5th week or in the second trimester and ends before the third trimester of pregnancy.These cravings occur due to hormonal changes in the body. Women experience several hormonal shifts, including changes in estrogen, progesterone, and other hormones, throughout their entire pregnancy. As a result, it is very natural for them to have weird cravings during this time.
Do food cravings determine gender?
According to the National Library of Medicine, there is no significant difference observed in mothers who experience food cravings. However, overeating can lead to health issues and make you more vulnerable. Moreover, food cravings are not connected to gender identification.
If you do not fulfil cravings, does it affect baby
There is a myth about food cravings that exists among many women. According to this belief, if your food cravings are not fulfilled, your baby might develop mouthwatering problems. However, there is no scientific evidence to support this claim. In reality, if you experience nutrient deficiencies for certain types of foods, you should consume them to support your baby’s mental development.
Pregnancy cravings are common worldwide. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine (PMC), 39% of women reported experiencing food cravings in one study, with sweet foods, fruits, and dairy products being the most frequently craved items. However, women in different parts of the world have diverse tastes and preferences.