Pregnancy does all sorts of wackadoodle things to your body—there are the swollen ankles, the aching hips, the tender breasts. But you know what might be the cruelest body disruption of all? Food aversions, the tummy-turning flip-side of food cravings, which suddenly leave pregnant women wanting nothing to do with their once-favorite foods. Show "Typically, about 50 percent of pregnant women in the U.S. will experience food aversions of some type during their pregnancy," says Kecia Gaither, M.D., NY-based double board certified specialist in Ob/Gyn and Maternal Fetal Medicine. "They generally start—and peak—within the first three months of pregnancy, correlating with the rise, peak, and decline of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)." Some women, however, experience aversions throughout their entire pregnancy—and even afterward. (Gah!) "In my experience, pregnancy can alter a woman's preference for certain foods for years, and sometimes, indefinitely," says Elizabeth Ward, MS, RD, author of Expect the Best: Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy.
While food aversions can strike any unsuspecting mom-to-be, a small 2015 study in the journal Physiology & Behavior suggests that women carrying baby boys are more likely to experience disgust toward particular foods. The theory is that male embryos are more vulnerable than female ones, so feeling eww toward potentially dangerous foods is a way to protect these more at-risk fetuses. "There's always been talk about prenatal food aversions occurring to protect mother and baby-to-be from foodborne illness and toxic substances, but there's really no definitive scientific basis for that," says Dr. Gaither. And, honestly, the theory doesn't really hold water, especially when you consider that some of the most common food aversions are protein-packed meat, chicken, and fish. "Plus, if your body naturally was averse to known dangers to baby, we'd all experience an aversion to alcohol, which we don't," Ward says. So if it's likely not gender nor potential harm keeping you from devouring your once-loved onion-and-garlic-topped meat pizza pie, what is it? "It's probably the smell," says Dr. Gaither. Women who have an excellent sense of smell prior to pregnancy may be more prone to food aversions. "The normal hormonal surges you experience during pregnancy can intensify your sense of smell, which heavily influences food preference—and distaste," says Ward. "The odor seems to set all of the feelings of nausea, and perhaps vomiting, into motion." In addition to smells, foods that are more difficult to digest, like meats and fried and/or high-fat foods, can be repulsive as well. The most common food aversions include chicken and red meat, which topped a poll by health and fitness app Lifesum as the most likely cause of first trimester queasiness. Fish and eggs came next, followed by fried foods, and starchy foods like popcorn or white rice.
The good news? "Most aversions are more interesting than serious and, for the most part, will cause no harm," says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy: The Complete Guide to Eating Before, During, and After Your Pregnancy. "A healthful diet is one that meets your nutritional and emotional needs, as well as your personal preferences. So don't worry about not liking coffee or chicken right now, just look for other healthy foods to replace them with." But if you are worried, just bring it up with your physician, suggests Dr. Gaither. "If your doctor thinks your aversions are keeping you from certain nutrients, he or she will refer you to a nutritionist where supplements and/or other recommendations will be provided."
Here are Ward's top tips for eating your way through your pregnancy food aversions.
Food aversion during pregnancy is a common problem. Some pregnant women may not feel like eating anything, or their favorite foods are not delicious anymore. It is normal for pregnant women to feel nauseous from the taste and smell of some foods they loved before. Food aversion is challenging to manage, especially if a pregnant woman does not enjoy eating anything. Like cravings, food aversions can also be linked to a heightened sense of taste and smell in pregnancy. Read on to understand the causes of food aversions in pregnancy, tips to manage it, and how to follow a balanced diet at such times. When Does Food Aversion Start In Pregnancy?A study has found that 54% of pregnant women experienced food aversions during early pregnancy (1). The condition could occur at any stage of pregnancy, but it is more likely during early pregnancy or the first trimester. These aversions may go away as the pregnancy progresses or after you deliver (2). What Causes Food Aversions During Pregnancy?The exact cause of food aversion in pregnancy is not known, but researchers have a few theories.
But what foods could you become averse to? Can you even eat anything? Find out more about it next. Common Pregnancy Food AversionsAll pregnant women are not repulsive to the same foods. Food aversion depends on several factors and varies accordingly. But in general, most pregnant women tend to be averse to these foods.
Can You Prevent Food Aversions During Pregnancy?No, there is no way to prevent the condition. However, you can try to control the nausea and get over the aversion. If you understand your body’s requirements and address the changes accordingly, you could probably overcome the aversions. Read on for some simple tips that can help you deal with these aversions. How To Overcome Food Aversions During Pregnancy?Food aversions will normalize with time and should not be a cause of concern.
Food aversion is a temporary condition and won’t bother you for long. How Long Does Food Aversions Last In Pregnancy?Food aversions can appear and disappear at any point during pregnancy, although they are more common during the first three to four months. Food aversions usually disappear after the delivery, but in some cases, they may continue post delivery too. When Should You Call The Doctor?When you have aversions to spicy food or fried stuff or something manageable, you need not worry much. However, if you are averse to all the healthy foods and experience cravings for non-edible things such as clay or paper (medically known as pica), then you should talk to your doctor. It is normal to have food aversions in pregnancy. Some women may not like the taste of their favorite foods during pregnancy. Most pregnant women experience food aversions in the early weeks of pregnancy. While a few may have it throughout their pregnancy. Morning sickness, hormonal changes, maternal-embryo protection hypothesis, and changes or heightened taste and smell sensitivity can be the culprits of food aversions in pregnancy. You may plan a pregnancy diet with balanced nutrition and alternative sources of nutrition. Most women may also develop aversions to coffee, or other caffeinated beverages, poultry, meat, and spicy foods during pregnancy. 1. Can food aversions predict gender? Food cravings and aversions during pregnancy are not related to the gender of the baby. Gender can only be predicted through ultrasound imaging by a skilled sonographer (10). Instead, cravings may indicate what your body requires. For example, a woman wanting to chew ice can have a low-iron level. 2. Are food aversions more common with baby boys? No reliable studies link food aversions to a baby’s gender. However, food aversions can be closely related to the pregnant woman’s dietary intake. Thus, aversions may predict the maternal nutritional status more than gender (10) (11). 3. Do food aversions go away with pregnancy? Food aversions and avoidance are common in the first trimester and may be caused by taste changes during pregnancy. In most cases, it gradually improves during the last trimester and goes away after pregnancy (12). References:MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy. 1. T. M. Bayley et al.; Food cravings and aversions during pregnancy: relationships with nausea and vomiting; School of Psychology (2002) The following two tabs change content below.  Dr Neha Singh has over eight years of experience as a gynaecologist and more than four years experience as an IVF specialist and endoscopic surgeon. She won an award for her paper on ‘Maternal & Child Health' in UPCOG 2016. She is a senior consultant and clinical head at NOVA IVF, Gorakhpur, India. She is also an assistant global coordinator... more
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How long does food aversion last in pregnancy
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