When Do Food Cravings Typically Start During Pregnancy?

Family Medicine, University of California San Diego Health System

Supervised by Garrett Kneese, MD, MPH

Food cravings in pregnancy often start early, usually during the first trimester, though the exact timing can vary from one woman to another.

Explanation

Many pregnant women begin to experience food cravings during the first trimester, which can start within a few weeks of conception. This early onset is believed to be driven by changes in hormones that affect how your brain responds to food. Research suggests that the parts of your brain involved in reward and energy balance become more active during pregnancy, which can lead to cravings for specific foods. Some women might suddenly crave sweet or savory treats, like pickles and ice cream, as their body adjusts to the demands of pregnancy. While many notice these cravings early on, every woman's experience is different—some might not experience strong food cravings until later. Overall, the variety and timing of food cravings can vary widely, influenced by your body’s unique hormonal balance and neural responses during pregnancy. If you’re curious or concerned about your cravings, discussing them with your healthcare provider can help you understand what’s normal as you navigate these changes.

(References)

Orloff NC, Hormes JM. Pickles and ice cream! Food cravings in pregnancy: hypotheses, preliminary evidence, and directions for future research. Front Psychol. 2014 Sep 23;5:1076. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2014.01076. PMID: 25295023; PMCID: PMC4172095.
Haddad-Tóvolli R, Ramírez S, Muñoz-Moreno E, Milà-Guasch M, Miquel-Rio L, Pozo M, Chivite I, Altirriba J, Obri A, Gómez-Valadés AG, Toledo M, Eyre E, Bortolozzi A, Valjent E, Soria G, Claret M. Food craving-like episodes during pregnancy are mediated by accumbal dopaminergic circuits. Nat Metab. 2022 Apr;4(4):424-434. doi: 10.1038/s42255-022-00557-1. Epub 2022 Apr 4. PMID: 35379970.
Lesniara-Stachon A, Quansah DY, Schenk S, Retsa C, Halter RJ, Murray MM, Lacroix A, Horsch A, Toepel U, Puder JJ. Brain responses to food viewing in women during pregnancy and post partum and their relationship with metabolic health: study protocol for the FOODY Brain Study, a prospective observational study. BMJ Open. 2023 Apr 18;13(4):e067013. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-067013. PMID: 37072356; PMCID: PMC10124253.

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