Weird Pregnancy Cravings That Are More Common Than You Might Think

Cute little girl feeding her expecting mother with fresh pineapple in the kitchen.

Pregnancy is a time of incredible change — not just in your body but also in your tastes and cravings! Can you relate to any of these weird pregnancy cravings?

Pickles and Ice Cream

Bowl with vanilla ice cream balls.

This combo might sound like a joke, but it’s a real craving. The crunch and tang of pickles paired with the creamy sweetness of ice cream?

It’s a flavorful explosion that’s oddly satisfying! Whether it’s dill pickles with vanilla or bread-and-butter pickles with chocolate, this is a craving that keeps us guessing.

What does it mean? Well, maybe you’re pregnant with the world’s next great experimental chef. More likely, though, this snack is meeting your needs for salt and sugar!

Spicy Foods

Gochujang (red chili paste) in bowl on wooden background, spicy and sweet fermented condiment in Korean food

Some moms-to-be can’t get enough of the heat! Craving spicy foods during pregnancy might be linked to hormonal changes or a need to boost metabolism.

From fiery hot sauce to jalapeño peppers, these cravings can add an extra kick to mealtime. Sometimes, pregnancy cravings really bring the sizzle!

While indulging in spicy foods can be fun and flavorful, it’s best to enjoy them in moderation to avoid heartburn or digestive issues.

Ice

Water with crushed ice cubes in glass on blurred beautiful background

Craving ice, or pagophagia, is surprisingly common during pregnancy. The urge to chew on ice might be due to a deficiency or simply a need to cool down.

Ice is crunchy, refreshing, and calorie-free, making it an oddly satisfying treat for many moms-to-be. Still, it’s important to mention this craving to your healthcare provider.

You want to make sure all of your nutritional needs are being met for you and baby! In the meantime, there’s nothing wrong with a few extra ice cubes.

Sour Candies

Sweet Sour Neon Gummy Worms with a Sugar Coating

Pucker up for this common craving! Sour candies are a hit with many pregnant women. The intense tartness can be incredibly satisfying, especially when taste buds are heightened.

From tangy lemon drops to mouth-watering sour gummies, these treats can provide a zesty flavor punch. Who knew pregnancy could make us sour-candy connoisseurs?

While indulging in sour candies can be a fun way to curb cravings, it’s wise to enjoy them in moderation to avoid a sugar overload.

Mustard

Different types of mustard and mustard seeds on a rustic wooden board - copy space

Mustard straight from the jar? Yep, that’s a thing! Some pregnant women develop a hankering for this tangy condiment. Maybe it’s the zingy taste or the sharp bite.

Either way, mustard can become an oddly irresistible craving. It might be slathered on everything or even enjoyed by the spoonful. Even if you previously hated mustard!

While mustard is low in calories and can add flavor to many dishes, indulging this craving in moderation is key. A dab will do you!

Sauerkraut

Sauerkraut

Craving something sour and crunchy? Enter sauerkraut! This fermented cabbage delight is a favorite for some pregnant women. And it’s packed with probiotics!

That means it’s not only tasty but also good for digestion. If you find yourself craving both sauerkraut and mustard, why not combine them?

The tangy duo makes a perfect pair, adding a zesty punch to sandwiches or enjoyed straight from the jar. Pregnancy cravings sure know how to keep things interesting!

Peanut Butter and Pickles

Peanut butter in an open jar and peanuts in the skin are scattered on the blue table. Space for text. Closeup.

This might sound like a culinary dare, but peanut butter and pickles are a real pregnancy craving that’s relatively common! It’s all about the sweet and the salty.

The creamy goodness of peanut butter paired with the crunchy, tangy pickles creates an unexpected but strangely delicious combo. It’s a snack that hits all the right notes.

Whether on a sandwich or straight off the spoon, this quirky pairing proves that pregnancy cravings can be both creative and surprisingly tasty!

Lemon

Ripe citrus fruits in a basket on white vintage wood. Close-up.

Craving lemons? Some pregnant women find themselves longing for the bright, tart flavor of this citrus fruit. Lemons might help with morning sickness, making them a double win!

Whether it’s sucking on lemon wedges, adding extra lemon juice to water, or even enjoying lemon-flavored snacks, the zesty punch is hard to resist for many pregnant people.

Just remember to protect your teeth from the acidity by rinsing your mouth with water afterward. When life gives you pregnancy cravings, make lemonade!

Olives

Set of green, red and black olives on gray background. Different types of olives in olive wooden bowls and olive oil over wooden cutting board and fresh olive leaves. Copy space.

Salty and briny, olives are a go-to craving for many pregnant women. Whether you prefer green, black, or stuffed varieties, olives offer a satisfying umami flavor.

Packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, they’re a tasty and nutritious snack. Pop them straight from the jar, toss them in salads, or pair them with cheese.

You could even blend them into a spread or add them to your favorite pasta dish. Pregnancy cravings sure know how to pick the savory stars of the pantry!

Cinnamon

Organic Raw Brown Cinnamon on a Background

Craving a spice that’s warm and comforting? Cinnamon might be the answer! This fragrant spice is a common pregnancy craving, adding a sweet and spicy kick.

Sprinkle it on toast, stir it into your drinks, or even enjoy cinnamon-flavored candies. This versatile spice not only tastes great but also adds a touch of coziness.

The aroma of cinnamon alone can also be incredibly satisfying. Consider investing in some cinnamon-scented candles to enjoy when those cravings hit!

Sardines

Tin can of sprats, sardines. Top view

Sardines might not be everyone’s first choice, but some pregnant women find themselves craving these tiny, flavorful fish. If you’re craving something salty and nutritious, try sardines!

They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and protein, making sardines a nutritional powerhouse that can be great for pregnant bodies and growing babies!

They can be enjoyed straight from the can, added to salads, or mashed onto toast with a squeeze of lemon. The rich, savory taste can be surprisingly satisfying.

Coconut

Raw Organic Coconut Flakes in a Bowl for Baking

Craving something tropical? Coconut is a common pregnancy craving! Whether it’s fresh coconut, coconut water, or coconut-flavored treats, this versatile fruit can hit the spot.

Its natural sweetness and refreshing taste make it a delightful snack. Plus, it’s packed with healthy fats and hydration benefits, making it a healthy snack for pregnant bodies.

You can enjoy coconut in many forms: shredded in yogurt, as a milk alternative, or even straight from the shell. Give your growing baby a taste of the tropics!

Chocolate-Covered Bacon

crispy Bacon dipped in dark chocolate on sticks

Sweet and salty collide in a truly beautiful way with this unusual (but still quite common) pregnancy craving. Chocolate and bacon are actually a well-loved combo!

The combination of crispy bacon and rich chocolate might sound strange at first, but it’s a flavor explosion that some moms-to-be can’t get enough of.

The salty bacon enhances the sweetness of the chocolate, creating an unexpectedly delightful treat that satisfies multiple cravings at once. What’s not to love?

Cheese and Jam Sandwiches

Cheese board with various types cheese, dried fruit and jam. Close-up.

Are you noticing a trend? Pregnancy cravings tend to involve a savory element and a sweet element, and this craving is no different! Cheese with jam, anyone?

Imagine a hearty slice of cheddar or gouda, layered with a generous spread of raspberry or blackberry jam. You can nestle it all between two slices of bread.

Each bite delivers a balanced mix of saltiness from the cheese and sweetness from the jam, making this weird pregnancy craving a satisfying and indulgent snack.

Fruit with Salt

Watermelon sliced on kitchen counter

Bringing it back to those salty-sweet cravings, many pregnant people crave fruit topped with salt. This craving even made headlines as a celebrity pregnancy craving!

Rihanna famously enjoyed tangerines with salt, sharing that it’s a common treat back at her home in Barbados. They would soak tangerines in the ocean!

You might find yourself craving grapes, watermelon, or even a tangy lemon topped with fine sea salt. Go for it! It turns out, it’s a time-honored snack.

Pickled Onions

Pickled onions in a jar next to peppers on a countertop

It can be pretty disconcerting to find yourself craving something during pregnancy that you would normally avoid at all costs! For many, that includes pickled onions.

Whether eaten straight from the jar or added to sandwiches and salads, pickled onions bring a sharp, zesty kick that’s hard for many pregnant people to resist.

So if you find yourself reaching for that jar of pickled onions, know that you’re not alone. Embrace this tangy craving and enjoy the flavorful punch!

Pasta with Ketchup

pouring too much tomato ketchup on spaghetti pasta

Pasta with ketchup might sound like a dorm room nightmare, but it’s a real pregnancy craving for some! It’s all about the comforting carbs and tangy sweetness.

Imagine a plate of spaghetti or macaroni, cooked to perfection and then generously mixed with ketchup. It’s a simple, quick snack that hits the spot when cravings strike.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even dress it up a bit—try adding a sprinkle of grated cheese, some herbs, or a dash of hot sauce.

Yogurt with Pickles

Yogurt in bowl on rustic black table - Photo of plain natural organic yoghurt close up.

Imagine dipping a dill pickle spear into a bowl of plain or Greek yogurt. The smooth and creamy yogurt against the crisp and briny pickle creates the ultimate contrast.

This craving might be driven by the body’s need for probiotics from the yogurt, which aids digestion, or the salt from the pickles, which can help with electrolyte balance.

It’s also possible that the heightened taste sensitivity during pregnancy makes such strong flavors particularly appealing. So break out the pickles and get dipping!

Potato Chips with Nutella

Tasty breakfast made of bread with chocolate cream and milk

Here’s a craving that even non-pregnant people can surely get behind. Who wouldn’t enjoy the nutty sweetness of Nutella paired with the delectable saltiness of chips?

Combine that with the fact that Nutella and potato chips introduce a mouthwatering contrast between smooth and crunchy, and you’ve got a winning snack on your hands.

Whether you’re indulging while watching a movie or just looking for a quick snack fix, this proves that sometimes, the most unusual pairings can be the most delightful.

Soy Sauce and Bananas

Soy sauce is a traditional fermented Seasonings, used in Asia.

Sweet and salty strikes again! This somewhat rare pregnancy craving is still more common than many might think. It might raise a few eyebrows, but who cares!

This craving might be driven by the body’s desire for a balance of electrolytes and sugars, or maybe it’s all in the way pregnancy changes our taste buds.

The combination of potassium from the bananas and the sodium from the soy sauce could also be a factor in why this pairing hits the spot for some.

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