Why am I craving crap? - Page 2

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by Sweetiemommy

Here is another thought, I know a girl who has the WORST diet, I mean she eats nothing but fast food and...no morning sickness. Weird. Maybe frankenfood is good for something. Anyway, I know that with my first child, I craved McDonald's egg mcmuffins (so disgusting). But it was the only way I could make it to work, I had to stop on my way there a few times. And I think I had those disgusting hash browns with it. But otherwise my diet was very low fat, so I wonder if it wasn't my body craving something fatty. I did eat eggs, but something wasn't the same. I did not have the same craving with my next two pregnancies, so there is hope! I recommend trying the five guys burger and fries place, at least they are using real meat and they make the fries with peanut oil??? Oh and I also know, from being a runner, that there is a place for quick carbs, like white flour. Sometimes the body really does need something like that. Good luck!

hmm thanks

[AustinMom]

Originally Posted by lach

There is probably something to that. Babies do need a lot of fat to develop. Not, obviously, the kinds of fats we're talking about here, but our evolutionary urges probably haven't caught up with the practical options available so when our body decides it needs a quick hit of fat it thinks of the most fatty food it can possibly remember ever imbibing.

Yeah I thought this with my last, and that was my excuse for buying a box of 12 donuts and eating them in 3 days, all by myself. I don't think so though, the baby doesn't need that much fat, and I'm sure most moms have enough fat stored up to give baby what they need.

I'm pretty much convinced on the fatty foods=blood sugar to spike quickly=less nausea=feel better=more foods sound good.

As far as something nutritional in those yucky cravings, there may be some, but if my body is smart enough to want protein, i'm sure it would tell me something higher in protein, and something I more commonly eat something more recognizable. Also, I'm sure it would be able to see all the non nutritional stuff in it and say "STAY AWAY!". I think it's about blood sugar.

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by AustinMom

Yeah I thought this with my last, and that was my excuse for buying a box of 12 donuts and eating them in 3 days, all by myself. I don't think so though, the baby doesn't need that much fat, and I'm sure most moms have enough fat stored up to give baby what they need.

I'm pretty much convinced on the fatty foods=blood sugar to spike quickly=less nausea=feel better=more foods sound good.

As far as something nutritional in those yucky cravings, there may be some, but if my body is smart enough to want protein, i'm sure it would tell me something higher in protein, and something I more commonly eat something more recognizable. Also, I'm sure it would be able to see all the non nutritional stuff in it and say "STAY AWAY!". I think it's about blood sugar.

So would you say the key is to enjoy but in small amounts? I think this worked for me today. All I got was the $1 size fries and it worked.

[AustinMom]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

So would you say the key is to enjoy but in small amounts? I think this worked for me today. All I got was the $1 size fries and it worked.

I think so. Eat what you body is saying it can handle, and then see what it says after that. Like I said, after I ate that burger, I was all about fresh crispy veggies! Maybe in the morning, I'll wake up, and go eat a big mac! jK, i'll start with protein bars...

[tngirl11]

At least it gets better most of the time after the first trimester. If it didn't, I'd have gained about 30lbs by now (and I'm only 19 weeks!) I totally craved nothing but crap while I was feeling sick. I wondered if it had something to do with my body not wanting any of the things I was eating around the time I got pg, which were healthy foods. It's like it wanted something totally different. Most of the cravings have gone, or at least gotten manageable enough to resist, especially since I can stomach the good stuff again. I have to say though, there's been something about Dr. Pepper that I can't resist lately. I haven't drunk soda of any kind in years, but DH gets Dr. Pepper all the time, so it's around the house. The other day, we went through McDonalds drive-through, and I drank half of his drink before we got home. I just couldn't stop!

[CorasMama]

In my first trimester, my midwife said, essentially, to eat what I could get down. My nausea was so bad that I was unable to eat much of anything, and had to be put on zofran. The one thing that I could reliably eat was McDonald's filet o' fish sandwiches, and she said that if that was what I needed to do to get calories in me, to go for it, and we'd worry about nutrition in the 2nd trimester. And while my nausea isn't better enough to go off the zofran, I am better enough to eat a wider variety of foods now.

Just remember to keep taking your prenatal vitamins.

[MaerynPearl]

Originally Posted by CorasMama

In my first trimester, my midwife said, essentially, to eat what I could get down. My nausea was so bad that I was unable to eat much of anything, and had to be put on zofran. The one thing that I could reliably eat was McDonald's filet o' fish sandwiches, and she said that if that was what I needed to do to get calories in me, to go for it, and we'd worry about nutrition in the 2nd trimester. And while my nausea isn't better enough to go off the zofran, I am better enough to eat a wider variety of foods now.

Just remember to keep taking your prenatal vitamins.

While i do not have the issue with the nausea just yet...

i have been craving those filet o fishes

[gcgirl]

I had this too, both times. It hasn't been as bad this time around, but my craving for fatty, protein-rich foods and lots of sugary carbs is still there.

[kitteh]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99

i always crave cheeseburgers when i'm pregnant (mcdonalds mainly) .. so far i am resisting .. but i'm only 5 weeks :P

I hate fastfood, McDonalds in particular, but during the first trimester I craved it like it was no one's business. It was so odd, but honestly it was the only thing that I could think about eating without feeling nauseated. I felt so guilty because my dh would get up early to make us a nice healthy breakfast and I'd barely choke it down--if I was able to finish it at all. And then on the way to work I'd pass a McDonalds and suddenly have an appetite for a plain cheeseburger or two.

I gave into the urge a number of times, and then somewhere around 12 or 14 weeks the urge just dissappeared entirely and now I'm back to feeling like McDonald's is gross!

[mimosagirl]

Thanks for this post, now I know I'm not alone!!

I agree with the various theories, about blood sugar and maybe the comfort food idea.

I have had no morning sickness (just some gagging and more at night). I've also been eating alot of cereal (I admit it: cinnamon toast crunch and lucky charms, LOL). I've also been drinking chocolate milk almost every day, making oven pizzas and grilled cheese. My partner and I are separated for another two weeks, so I've felt part of this is the single girl's diet. But it's interesting to think it could relate to the lack of morning sickness. I'm trying to work in the good stuff too.

For now, starting with some of the better brand organic comfort (some junky) foods has worked for me, like making boca burgers with cheese, non trans fat mozzarella sticks, etc.

The funniest craving: Skittles! I've loved them more than ever. I'm trying to replace that citric craving with the real thing now too. Also before I found out I was preg, I was wanting McDonalds almost everyday after hardly going there in a decade!

[Jenica]

Originally Posted by AustinMom

I'm pretty much convinced on the fatty foods=blood sugar to spike quickly=less nausea=feel better=more foods sound good.

Actually, the opposite is true, fats slow down the digestion of food so they help to prevent blood sugar spikes. Of course fast food is so full of high-hypoglycemic index foods that even all the fat can't prevent the effects on blood sugar.

I am really convinced that this craving for junk is based on the babies need for fats. They really do need a lot of fat in their development. I eat a diet that's pretty rich in good fats and I never got the craving for junk. My SIL on the other hand ate a almost fat free diet PP and when she was pregnant all she wanted was Taco Bell. I would bet that if you made a point of eating a very fatty diet for a week, but from good fats (nuts, eggs, even diary) you would stop getting the fast food cravings.

[Pinoikoi]

Originally Posted by AustinMom

NOW, I'm very nauseous and the only things that sound remotely good are things like cheeseburgers, not homemade, like jackinbox ultimate cheese burger, chicken fried steak, sausage....yeah, what's up with that? Yesterday it took everything in my power to not get a burger, I settled on subway (we need to go grocery shopping, that's why I did fast food) so that was good, but 2 hrs later, I wanted a cheese burger!

Now I am REALLY glad I live NOWHERE near a Jackinthebox.

[BarnMomma]

Originally Posted by claddaghmom

Ok granted, that makes a lot of sense and a good theory. But McD's has no good connotation for me whatsoever! My parents were very anti-mcd's growing up. I'd say the only time I ate there was on random "gotta grab something on lunch break" days.

But the blood sugar thing...that might be something I need to watch. Because we ate dinner at 6pm last night. I got hungry around midnight but told myself NO WAY it's unhealthy (nail in the coffin here eh?) So around 2am I fell asleep without any food. Then it was about 1pm today when I almost puked but I hadn't eaten anything except fruit for the day.

So I brought it upon myself. I should have snacked but I kept putting it off.

I remember in my last pregnancy sitting outside a KFC on the hood of my car just letting that smell of grease and "franken foul" waft out at me. I was craving it so badly but I just couldn't ignore the truth about what KFC is so I never went in. And like you fast food holds no comfort for me. We never ate fast food growing up. I did recently have to set foot in a mcdonalds (to pee) this past week and this time the greae smell was revolting. Yay for that! However I did polish off a green n blacks HUGE chocolate bar in one sitting yesterday so I'm not miss perfect, but I really really try not to eat junk.

I also have been craving fish n chips recently...which is also odd. The idea of it is just gross...mystery fish in batter and fried and greasy fries, tartar sauce...yuck. I'm usually a salad and veggies and protein girl. But yeah, fish and chips sounds like heaven to me. SO far I have resisted....

[claddaghmom]

Originally Posted by Jenica

Actually, the opposite is true, fats slow down the digestion of food so they help to prevent blood sugar spikes. Of course fast food is so full of high-hypoglycemic index foods that even all the fat can't prevent the effects on blood sugar.

I am really convinced that this craving for junk is based on the babies need for fats. They really do need a lot of fat in their development. I eat a diet that's pretty rich in good fats and I never got the craving for junk. My SIL on the other hand ate a almost fat free diet PP and when she was pregnant all she wanted was Taco Bell. I would bet that if you made a point of eating a very fatty diet for a week, but from good fats (nuts, eggs, even diary) you would stop getting the fast food cravings.

Thanks, I will try to do that. I am also trying out 'organic' or 'better' versions. Today I stayed vomit-free by eating honey nut cheerios and a sprite. (we don't ever eat these; I had to buy them). Then I thought "duh" and returned to the store to get the Kashi organic cheerios and some seltzer and fruit juice to make my own carbonated drink.

I also have some boca burgers. And good cheese.

I just learned a lot recently about fast food and it is killing me to even think of eating that pink slime they call beef. *shudder*

[claddaghmom]

You know, it's interesting to see the same foods come up on these threads. (Also on the what are you eating thread). I noticed a lot of mamas mentioned grape drinks...I bought gatorade in grape flavour. I don't think I have ever purchased gatorade in my life lol. And the same fast food places pop up too. Hmmmm

[lach]

Originally Posted by Jenica

Actually, the opposite is true, fats slow down the digestion of food so they help to prevent blood sugar spikes. Of course fast food is so full of high-hypoglycemic index foods that even all the fat can't prevent the effects on blood sugar.

I am really convinced that this craving for junk is based on the babies need for fats. They really do need a lot of fat in their development. I eat a diet that's pretty rich in good fats and I never got the craving for junk. My SIL on the other hand ate a almost fat free diet PP and when she was pregnant all she wanted was Taco Bell. I would bet that if you made a point of eating a very fatty diet for a week, but from good fats (nuts, eggs, even diary) you would stop getting the fast food cravings.

I agree. I think at this point most of us are so scared by the very word "fat" that we no longer differentiate between the good ones and the bad ones.

At my 20 week ultrasound, the tech asked if I ate whole milk yogurt and other dairy. I almost lied, because I didn't want the saturated fats lecture. But I did say yes, and she said "I could tell. Your baby has one of the healthiest-looking brains I've seen in a long time." She then proceeded to tirade about women who eat low-fat diets while pregnant, and how bad that is for the baby. It was awesome, because it's what I strongly believe. I never say it though, because I always get shot down, like I was here! But most people don't really differentiate between the different types of fats and cholesterol, or understand that some are good... just not the ones that most Americans eat a lot of.

[AustinMom]

Originally Posted by Jenica

Actually, the opposite is true, fats slow down the digestion of food so they help to prevent blood sugar spikes. Of course fast food is so full of high-hypoglycemic index foods that even all the fat can't prevent the effects on blood sugar.

I am really convinced that this craving for junk is based on the babies need for fats. They really do need a lot of fat in their development. I eat a diet that's pretty rich in good fats and I never got the craving for junk. My SIL on the other hand ate a almost fat free diet PP and when she was pregnant all she wanted was Taco Bell. I would bet that if you made a point of eating a very fatty diet for a week, but from good fats (nuts, eggs, even diary) you would stop getting the fast food cravings.

True, fats do slow down, what I meant was the spike in blood sugar after eating just about any of the food at ff restaurants, causes some moms to feel better

As far as fats, yes babies need fat, I don't know about how much during the first trimester. They say you only need about 300 more calories in your diet at the END of pregnancy, and thats only a couple TBsp of peanut butter, so a baby that doesn't even have nubs for arms, i don't think needs that much fat.

We have a VERY high diet in good fats. Fish (wild caught salmon mostly) every 3-4 days, peanut butter, LOTs of eggs and dairy, I could live off cottage cheese and hard boiled eggs! lol! And nuts (walnuts in particular), and avocados pretty frequently. Now this is when I'm not throwing up of course. We had salmon the night that I gave in to the burger crave and that was well after the fish hit my system. It's crazy to see how different pregos are!

I have gotten to where I keep ice cream in my freezer and peppermints in my purse, so if I get nauseate, I grab a small bite or a mint, just enough for the nausea to go away and I can stomach dinner.....tonight, chicken, quinoa, broccoli, and lemon. Yummmmmm