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Chocolate. Pickles. Curry. Almost everyone experiences cravings while pregnant. Some may even experience unusual cravings in pregnancy like pickles and ice cream together.

While the cause is not quite clear, some theories suggest pregnancy hormones � mainly human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), progesterone and estrogen � can heighten your sense of smell and taste, creating both cravings and aversions.

Aversions, which often go hand in hand with morning sickness, may be your body's way of protecting itself against harm from food poisoning caused by bacteria like listeria during pregnancy.

"Some theories say that cravings help the body make up for nutritional deficiency," says Brittany Janelle Cline, MD, »ªÌå»á OB-GYN. "For example, you might crave ice cream when you need calcium, or crave fruits when you need vitamin D."

You might crave salty food during pregnancy if you need sodium. Sour food is another common craving as well.

When do pregnancy cravings start?

As early as the first trimester. They may go away after the first trimester or remain for the entire pregnancy. Individual cravings can vary significantly over the course of a pregnancy.

Should you give into cravings while pregnant?

It depends on what you're craving. "If you're only craving sweets while pregnant, you shouldn't only eat sweets," says Dr. Cline. "It's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet when you're eating for two � or more!"

Some cravings can cause pregnant people to want to eat items that are not considered food, such as dirt, clay, soap and ice. This is known as pica, a rare eating disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that lack nutritional value. Pica is typically a sign of a dietary deficiency, such as lack of iron or calcium. 

Eating nonfood items can be harmful to your health. If you crave these types of items, it is best to see your doctor to rule out vitamin deficiencies.

What to Eat While Pregnant

How many extra calories do you need to eat while pregnant?

On average, you only need an additional 200 to 300 calories during the second and third trimesters. This equates to one extra snack during the day like a cup of yogurt.

Weight gain recommendations for a healthy pregnancy are based on your (BMI) at the start of pregnancy. Here is the recommended weight gain during pregnancy based on BMI category:

• Underweight (BMI less than 18.5): 28 to 40 pounds
• Normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 24.9): 25 to 35 pounds
• Overweight (BMI 25 to 29.9): 15 to 25 pounds
• Obesity (BMI 30 or higher): 11 to 20 pounds 

These numbers will be slightly higher for people carrying twins, triplets and more. Talk with your physician to find out what’s best for you.

Excessive weight gain and improper nutrition can have negative health impacts on you and your baby.

“Excessive weight gain in pregnancy can lead to an increased risk of gestational diabetes, unplanned cesarean delivery, delivery complications and postpartum weight retention,” says Dr. Cline. “The baby could be at risk of being larger than average for their gestational age, blood sugar issues, childhood obesity and adult obesity later in life.”

Along with eating a balanced, healthy diet during pregnancy, it’s important to take prenatal vitamins. These help ensure you’re getting the vitamins and minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. is especially important as it supports proper neural tube development in the fetus.

Simple Strategies When Cravings Strike

• Eat a variety of foods.
• Plan smaller meals and snacks every couple of hours.
• Get your extra calories from nutritious foods, such as lean meats (poultry or fish rather than red meat), nuts, dairy products like yogurt or cottage cheese, fruits, vegetables, and whole grain breads and cereals.
• Stay hydrated by drinking of water per day.
• Be careful with spicy foods, as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is common during pregnancy and spicy foods can make GERD symptoms worse.