When pregnant women are drawn to salty. Frequently asked question: why do pregnant women want salty foods? Every pregnant woman needs to know how pickles are good for.

02.05.2019

The taste preferences of expectant mothers sometimes amaze and even shock those around them: pregnant women can happily eat herring with jam or pineapples with onions, washing down breathtaking gastronomic innovations with a glass of milk flavored with spices and spices. However, this is not the limit - many women "in position" daily eat things absolutely unsuitable for this - chalk, whitewash, lime, etc. And although such culinary addictions seem absurd, sometimes they have a completely logical explanation from a medical point of view.

The most common taste change in food is an unbridled craving for salty or sour foods. Why can pregnant women be drawn to such dishes and how to balance the diet without denying themselves small joys and without harming their health? Advice from experienced nutritionists will help you understand the changing dietary habits of expectant mothers

Why is it salty during pregnancy?

For expectant mothers, pickles and herring are the best delicacy! And although not every woman, with the onset of conception, notes an irresistible craving for salty foods, such an addiction occurs quite often, especially in the first trimester. And the reason for this is physiology.

In fact, the desire to pamper yourself with something salty is not at all a whim of an "interesting situation." In the first months, the hormone progesterone is abundant in a woman's body, which is necessary for the successful attachment of the ovum to the wall of the uterus and the subsequent development of pregnancy. However, one of the actions of progesterone is to relax the blood vessels, which leads to symptoms of toxicosis - shortness of breath, lethargy, apathy, drowsiness and dizziness. Increased salt intake, on the contrary, constricts blood vessels and thereby raises low blood pressure to normal levels, facilitating the condition of the expectant mother. Contributes to this process and drunk after a portion of salty liquid.

Another reason for cravings for salty foods is the lack of nutrients, the need for which increases dramatically during pregnancy. Salt is a good source of sodium, calcium, iodine (of course, if it is iodized), so many mothers subconsciously try to compensate for the lack of these elements by adding salt to dishes.

The need for salty foods usually decreases with the level of progesterone in the blood, that is, by the second trimester. If this does not happen, such a food addiction can become a reason for consulting with a specialist - perhaps this is due to abnormalities in the thyroid gland, severe psycho-emotional stress or an infection of the urinary system.

Salt intake

If in the first trimester, expectant mothers are allowed to indulge themselves with salty dishes, then as the term increases, this eating habit should be controlled more and more strictly. The daily intake of pure salt varies depending on the month of pregnancy and is:

up to 12 grams within 1-3 months,
up to 9 grams in the second trimester,
up to 3 grams - in the third.

Moreover, many obstetricians recommend to abandon salt altogether from 8 months, because its intake into the body can provoke an attack of hypertension or severe edema. However, the advisability of such a strict framework can only be determined by the attending physician who is familiar with the peculiarities of the pregnancy of a particular patient.

What salty foods can you eat and how much?

Not every salty dish can be included in the diet of expectant mothers. For example, it is better to refuse chips, smoked meats and other fast food altogether, since such a menu will not bring the slightest benefit. How to satisfy an irresistible desire?

Pickled cucumbers. Of course, pickled vegetables are far from the most healthy food, but 2-3 cucumbers a day will not harm a pregnant woman in the first trimester.
Pickled tomatoes. This type of vegetables is not as harmless as cucumbers - they can lead to edema and pressure surges, but eating one tomato once a week is not prohibited.
Lightly salted fish. Red varieties soaked in salt marinade are especially useful for expectant mothers. A few slices of salmon or trout will fill up the lack of nutrients every day and will satisfy the desire to eat something salty.
Caviar. Of course, the red and black varieties have the greatest benefits, but herring caviar is suitable as an economy option for every day.
Sauerkraut. Although it's not as salty as you'd like it to be, sauerkraut is great at satisfying hunger, interrupting salt cravings, and also providing pregnant folate, especially during the first trimester.

Why do you want sour?

Another fairly common desire during pregnancy is sour foods. Lemons in their pure form, fruit drinks without sugar, cranberries - all this seems to ladies "in position" attractive and incredibly tasty. The fact is that a sharp, sour taste is a sure sign of a high content of vitamin C, which is extremely necessary for a pregnant woman. The functions of this substance cover many physiological processes in the organisms of the fetus and the expectant mother:

promotes the absorption of calcium and iron,
reduces the symptoms of stress that affects pregnant women in one way or another,
reduces the tone of the uterus,
improves digestion and relieves constipation, which many women suffer "in position",
strengthens the immune system and helps to resist colds.

Therefore, if you want sour, feel free to chew lemons, washed down with concentrated cranberry juice - all this will not harm during pregnancy. However, make sure that this diet does not cause side effects - in people with high acidity, foods high in acid can cause heartburn, stomach pain and intestinal upset. If you notice at least one of the above signs, you should consult with your doctor and correct the daily menu by supplementing it with vitamin supplements with ascorbic acid - when the vitamin level in the body returns to normal, craving for sour foods will disappear by itself.

Are you pregnant? Not pregnant? How can I find out about it as soon as possible? Run for a test at the pharmacy? But, it seems, it is still too early ... I heard something about the first signs of pregnancy, I should look on the Internet.

These thoughts are prevalent in almost every woman who dreams of children. You have found what you need! The article contains a lot of useful information about the first signs of pregnancy.

It turns out that the female body is designed in such a way that it can send signals about the onset of pregnancy from its first days. You just need to learn to recognize them.

Naturally, not all expectant mothers will be able to feel that conception has occurred. And all because some of the signs of pregnancy are more pronounced, while it will be quite difficult for someone to recognize these symptoms.

The first messengers of pregnancy:

back pain and lower abdomen;
tingling sensation in the uterus;
increased urination;
general weakness and dizziness;
drowsiness;
a sharp increase in body temperature;
toxicosis is possible in the morning;
increased appetite;
swelling of the breast and darkening of the nipple halos;
fast fatiguability;
delayed menstruation.

These signs appear as early as 5-7 days after conception.

Why does the female body react so violently to the emerging new life? It's simple. A fertilized egg in the early stages of pregnancy is perceived by a woman's body as a foreign body. Naturally, the body tries to get rid of it. Nausea and vomiting in the morning is a consequence of this struggle.

In the early days of pregnancy, women may experience profuse whitish vaginal discharge. On days 7-12 after fertilization, spotting bleeding may occur. But this phenomenon is completely individual.

How else does a pregnant woman differ from the rest of the fair half of humanity?

Psychological instability... The hormonal system of pregnant women undergoes colossal changes and as a result - causeless mood swings from cheerful to bitter tears, complete apathy, and sleep problems are possible. And all because the level of the hormone progesterone rises in the blood.
A change in taste preferences. If a woman wants a pickled cucumber or she gladly absorbs seemingly incompatible foods, for example, meat with jam and drinks with milk - a reason to think about the likelihood of pregnancy. The lack of certain microelements and vitamins in the body leads to such actions.
Tenderness and soreness in the chest. In most cases, painful tenderness of the nipples and enlargement of the mammary glands are observed in the first 10 days after fertilization. Thus, the body prepares for feeding the baby, who will soon be born.
Unmotivated aggression and irritation. A good reason to think about the onset of pregnancy can be abrupt changes in the emotional state, which occur against the background of pain in the lower abdomen, disorders in the digestive tract and painful sensitivity of the chest.
Increased body temperature and a basal temperature of 37 ° C within 2-3 weeks.
Constant slight discomfort... During the period when the implantation of a fertile egg into the walls of the uterus occurs, slight malaise, drowsiness, dizziness may appear, and all because the pregnant woman's body begins to actively adapt to the needs of the fetus and prepares for childbirth.
Frequent urination and heaviness in the pelvic area. The reason for frequent urination is that the enlarging uterus begins to press on the bladder, and the severity from the increased blood flow to the uterus during the formation of the placenta.
Lack of regular menstruation. If a woman does not have hormonal disruptions in the body and there were no delays before, then in this case the absence of menstruation clearly indicates that pregnancy has occurred.
The emergence of toxicosis. During fertilization in a woman's body, hormonal changes begin to occur, which provokes disruptions in the work of many systems and organs. First of all, the stomach reacts to such changes. In the first 5-10 days after conception, malfunctions of the digestive system may occur: heartburn, bloating, increased gas production, nausea.

How to determine whether it is pregnant?

The human body is a rather delicate and complex system that signals even minor malfunctions. Therefore, in order to find out whether a pregnancy has occurred, a woman should carefully listen to the changes taking place inside. Some of the above symptoms may indicate not about the conception that has occurred, but about completely different ailments. Read this table carefully so as not to confuse pregnancy with a common malaise.

Signs	Term	Other reasons
Lack of menstruation	Throughout pregnancy	Travel, fatigue, stress, hormonal abnormalities, medication or drug withdrawal, breastfeeding
Nausea and vomiting	2-8 weeks	Food poisoning, infection, medication
Frequent urination	6-8 weeks	Urinary tract disease, medications
Breast swelling	The entire period from the very first days of pregnancy	Approaching menstruation, birth control pills
Changes in the color of the vaginal mucosa	1-3 months of pregnancy	Approaching mentoring
Darkening of the area around the nipples	1-3 month
Blue or pink lines on the chest and abdomen	1-3 month	Stress, approaching menstruation, poor diet
Darkening of the line from the navel to the pubis	4-5 month	Hormonal imbalance, the consequences of a past pregnancy

If you find all of the above signs in your complex, then it's time to resort to help at home. True, there is no point in running after him to the pharmacy ahead of time. It is generally possible to determine whether a pregnancy has occurred using a test only 2-3 weeks after the intended conception. Do you want to be sure of your pregnancy? Then go to an appointment with a gynecologist, undergo ultrasound diagnostics, take the necessary tests.

Do you want to eat something special? Are you drawn to salty, sweet, or spicy? Many women notice food cravings during pregnancy.

Craving for food is a state when you really, really want to eat something tasty! You may want a pickled cucumber right now! This is usually normal during pregnancy. Such cravings must be satisfied, if, of course, what you want to eat is! And don't eat too much, eat small amounts.

Eating too much of what you want, especially sweet, spicy or salty foods, can cause problems such as severe heartburn, bloating (gas in the intestines), and excess weight gain.

Keep in mind that you only need 300 extra calories per day during pregnancy to support your baby's growth (a little more calories).

Eating junk food or snacking on sandwiches every day to satisfy your cravings can lead to a massive increase in your weight.

What causes food cravings?

We don't know exactly what triggers food cravings during pregnancy. It is most likely associated with the activation of pregnancy hormones that make your sense of smell stronger. Due to the increased sense of smell (perception of smells), the sense of taste can change and there is a need for certain products.

Here are some ways to curb food cravings:

1. Introduce the product to which you are drawn into your daily diet. Introduce citrus fruits, melons and juices into your diet.

2. If you are drawn to a harmful product, find a healthier substitute for it. So, for example, if you crave potato chips, try making them at home, in the microwave without adding oil. If you're looking for something crunchy, pick a carrot or apple. If you are incredibly attracted to sweets, replace sweets with honey.

3. Don't buy too much of the desired product. Don't buy a whole bag of chocolates, buy a couple of them, maybe that's enough to satisfy your addiction.

4. Get distracted by some activity so as not to think about your desire to eat. Go for a walk, call your friend.

Cravings for the inedible

Some pregnant women experience an overwhelming craving for inedible items. Please note that eating non-food items can cause problems for you and your child.

Non-food items include:

ice (snow, icicles);
whitewashing (lime);
clay, earth, dirt;
starch;
coffee grounds;
wax (paraffin).

If you have cravings for these foods, talk to your doctor about it.

Food aversion

Food aversion is the exact opposite of food cravings, i.e. aversion to any particular food. Instead of wanting to eat some food, on the contrary, you don't want to eat it at all! Many women experience food aversion while pregnant.

You may find that you have an aversion to foods with really strong odors, such as onions, garlic, coffee, hamburgers, and eggs. Usually such disgust appears in early pregnancy, along with morning sickness (early toxicosis).

Try replacing the foods you disgusted with with other foods. For example, if the taste of meat is disgusting to you, replace it with protein-rich foods such as beans or cottage cheese. But be careful with the beans - they can provoke! If your aversion to dairy products is found, find other sources of calcium such as dark green leafy vegetables or orange juice. As a last resort, you can take calcium tablets.

You may notice that you have started to have a disgust for food that you used to love very much. Don't worry, it will most likely go away as soon as you give birth. Although sometimes food aversion can persist for a long time after the birth of a child, and in some women, it persists forever.

Sometimes a woman begins to understand that she is pregnant, only because of the emerging passion for salty, although earlier she could calmly relate to salted cucumbers and dried fish. What happens, why pregnant women are so drawn to salty, especially in the first period of pregnancy? Should you be afraid of such a passion?

Until now, scientists are ambiguous about the appearance of such a passion in pregnant women. Some experts take this calmly, considering it a normal process, and some argue that you cannot indulge your own body and consume too much salt, this desire must be suppressed in yourself. But first, let's figure out what is the reason? Moreover, experts are unambiguous in this matter.

It's all about a hormone called "progesterone", which begins to vigorously produce the maternal body in the first trimester of pregnancy. This hormone tends to relax blood vessels, which is why the expectant mother feels dizzy, drowsy and short of breath.

Since at this moment the vessels expand and cease to exert pressure on the blood, it flows more slowly, which leads to reduced pressure.

The increase in pressure is facilitated by sodium, which is contained, in fact, in salt. It is during this period that a woman begins to eat foods with an increased content of "white death", therefore, begins to drink more liquid, thereby increasing the volume of blood. As a result, the condition is normalized, the pressure is restored.

As soon as there is enough blood in the body and the pressure returns to normal, the craving for salt disappears. By this time, the placenta will independently perform the function of hormones. If the passion for salty does not pass either in the second and even more so not in the third trimester of pregnancy, then it is imperative to tell your observing doctor about this. Since this can serve as a signal that inflammatory processes are taking place in the body, immunity is reduced or the body of the expectant mother lacks protein.

How much salt should a pregnant woman consume? Doctors do not have a single answer to this question. But most often, doctors advise to consume up to 12 grams of salt in the first trimester, up to 9 grams in the second trimester, and up to 3 grams in the third trimester. For comparison, the daily intake of salt for a normal person is 6 grams.

It is necessary to adhere to the established norms so as not to disturb the water-salt balance in the body, otherwise it can tell on the health of both (mother and baby).

Salted cucumbers

The first product that all pregnant women grab for is crispy pickles, some can eat a whole jar in one sitting. But this is not worth doing, moderate your ardor. If you really want to, then in the first trimester you can no more than two pieces of average size per day, in the second - one. This is due to the fact that pickles contain vinegar, and it has a detrimental effect on the tooth enamel of a pregnant woman, besides, pickles increase appetite, which can lead to a set of extra pounds.

Pickled tomatoes

Another product that allows you to satisfy your "salt" hunger. But unlike cucumbers, tomatoes can cause significant harm to the health of the expectant mother. Salted tomatoes cause spikes in blood pressure and can cause swelling. Therefore, if you can not resist eating salted tomatoes, then stick to the norm - no more than one tomato per week.

Salty fish

The most suitable product for pregnant women who are thirsty for salt is fish, especially salted red fish, which is rich in nutrients that an unborn baby needs. The type of fish can be any, but it is better to give preference to lightly salted and no more than one piece per day.

If you adhere to the established measures, then no craving for salt can harm you, but, on the contrary, will improve your condition. It will help the baby to fully develop.

The first suspicion of the onset of pregnancy crept in at the moment when I wildly wanted sauerkraut and pickled cucumbers. It would seem that this is so unusual, if not for one fact - pregnant women are often drawn to salty. A pregnancy test, bought on the way to my mother, who always has a jar of pickled gherkins, confirmed my expectations, once again proving the presence of taste oddities in some women in the position.

Why are pregnant women drawn to salty foods? Toxicosis is to blame for everything

The first trimester of many expectant mothers is accompanied by toxicosis, which is manifested by weakness, loss of appetite, morning sickness, and a feeling of disgust for once favorite foods. There is no cure for mild toxicosis as such, and the main recommendation is five meals a day in small portions with the exclusion of fatty and fried foods, which can provoke vomiting.

Most often, it is during toxicosis that pregnant women are drawn to salty and sour: sauerkraut, pickled vegetables, feta cheese, etc. These foods increase the secretion of gastric juice, stimulating appetite, and help to cope with nausea at least temporarily. In addition, repeated vomiting in severe forms of toxicosis leads to dehydration and loss of sodium (as well as potassium, chlorine and other salts), the main source of which is salt.

Why are pregnant women drawn to salty foods? Low pressure

During gestation, a woman's body is subject to hormonal fluctuations, in particular a sharp increase in progesterone in the blood - the main hormone of pregnancy. One of the most pronounced effects of progesterone is the relaxation of smooth muscle fibers, including those in the arteries. A decrease in the tone of blood vessels leads to a drop in blood pressure, which is most often observed in the first trimester of pregnancy. In this case, women are drawn to salty food, because the sodium contained in it retains fluid in the body, increases the volume of circulating blood, which helps to stabilize blood pressure and improve well-being.

Why are pregnant women drawn to salty foods? Sodium requirement

The expectant mother may also want salty for the following reasons associated with the loss of body fluids:

Hard physical labor
Hot weather (loss of sodium salts with sweat)
Intestinal poisoning (loss of fluid by the body with repeated diarrhea)
Salt-free diet (eating foods low in sodium)

In addition, the desire to eat salty foods in large quantities may indicate a malfunction of the thyroid gland, which requires a doctor's consultation.

IMPORTANT! Chronic stress is one of the reasons why a pregnant woman eats a lot of salty, sour or sweet foods. The expectant mother simply “seizes” the accumulated grievances and problems, which is not entirely good for health. As a result of a large consumption of salty foods, an excess of sodium in the body entails the appearance of edema, impaired renal function and is often the cause of high blood pressure with the subsequent development of gestosis.

Why pregnant women are drawn to salty, and how to deal with it?

Salt (sodium) is found in large quantities in many foods that are present in our daily diet - seafood, sauerkraut, bread, cheeses, sauces, canned food, sausages, snacks, etc. The intake of salt for a healthy person should not exceed 5 grams, for a pregnant woman - up to 12 grams per day.

If the diet contains foods high in sodium, you should limit the intake of table salt as much as possible during gestation.

If you want to eat salty, for example, pickled cucumber or a piece of fish, you should not add salt to all other foods in this meal.

It is advisable to completely abandon ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and other sauces containing a large amount of salt.

Sausages, sausages and other semi-finished meat products contain a huge amount of salt, so you should give preference to more natural products prepared at home.