The Top 10 Cravings of Pregnant Filipino Women

 

“Paglilihi” is an episode during a woman’s pregnancy that is oft played up, especially in the movies. Women who are on their first trimester of pregnancy are said have food cravings so strong that they need to be satisfied immediately, thus they ask their husbands to find foods that are not only unusual, but sometimes downright non-existent.

Over 200 forum members shared with us their food cravings during pregnancy, plus some funny personal anecdotes:

 

 

 

1. Chocolate bars and anything chocolate

The sweet pleasure and the endorphins it gives makes this choice the top craving of mommies-to-be. It's funny though that one of the top concerns among pregnant Pinays regarding the consumption of chocolates is not about its effect on one's health but the "pamahiin" that it can result to having a dark-skinned baby. Marnelli Balibalos disproves this: "Caucasian American couples love chocolates but never produced a tanned baby".


2. Mangoes (green and yellow)

Waking up the husband in the middle of the night for this fruit may be common in local comedies, but is actually still true in this modern day. Mommy Gelai once woke up her husband at 12 midnight for a mango shake while Colet Isiasa even made a scene at a store in Dubai when her husband found it expensive at 13 Dirhams a piece. As the new saying goes, "hell hath no fury like a pregnant woman denied of mangoes".

 

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3. Pineapples

Ranking 3rd on the list, pineapple is one of the most-craved-for foods for infanticipating Pinays. However, some online resources warn that eating large amounts of pineapple stimulates your tummy and uterus and could get your labor going or might induce abortion. drugs.com, however, contradicts these by saying "Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Data is lacking to support the historical use of pineapple to induce menstruation and abortion."

Mommy momofrainchira felt labor-like pains after consuming 2 whole pineapples, but most other preggies dismiss this issue and continue enjoying this favorite craving up to their delivery with no problems at all.


4. Pasta dishes

Long life for the new life? An excellen practice when pregnant is to go for foods that are high in fiber, making pasta an excellent choice. Your favorite Pinoy spaghetti provides for your  carbohydrates (6-11 servings) and protein (3-4 servings) requirements in a day.

 

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5. Ice cream

Pregnant or not, who doesn't love ice cream? WhenMyrene Rocha was pregnant with her son Matthew, she'd regularly feast on a caramel sundae from a local fastfood. It satisfied her greatly that her baby would also move in her belly with glee. Shengli Cortes would dip fruit slices in vanilla or buco pandan ice cream, and could finish 10 cups in a day (her husband wondered why she won't just get a gallon instead, which is more economical). Whether your body is craving for calcium or it's just hormone related, everyone turns to ice cream for comfort and that's exactly what an expectant mom needs most.


6. French fries

Craving for salty foods is high among pregnant women and could be brought about by hormonal changes. Salt is believed to contribute to water retention and moderate amounts of sodium is necessary and normal during pregnancy, but French fries are considered unhealthy because of the combination of salt and fat. Roasted potato wedges or baked potato can be a healthier choice.

 

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7. Buko

Frozen pop, salad, juiced, shaked, baked - any way they want it, young coconut is one of the pregnant Filipinas’ most popular and most nutritious cravings. Buko juice is rich in electrolytes, has moderate amounts of sodium, sugar and protein, and is also a good source of calcium and vitamin C. Coconut meat has vitamins A, B, calcium, protein, carbohydrates and iron, but the matured coconut meat is believed to have more nutrition content. With all these benefits, it's all but natural to go loco over cocos.

8. Corn

Cherrie Lozano credits her daughter Cali Deane's perfect set of teeth and their early formation to munching sweet corn while she was pregnant. Whether this is true or not, it won’t hurt to have healthy servings of corn during pregnancy since it has folic acid which prevents birth defects.

 

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9. Bananas

Teacher Rhona Martinez craved bananas more than any fruit when she was pregnant. A believer of "lihi", she connects her son's occasional skin blemishes with the darkening qualities of a banana's skin, while mom-to-be Kay de Leon can't explain why she is now able to finish 10 bananas all of a sudden.

Bananas are packed with nutrients that make them a perfect snack for pregnant women. They help reduce swelling and prevent cramps. However, bananas may cause constipation if not taken in moderation.


10. Apples (green and red)

It's amazing how mommies-to-be can be so creative with how they take their apples. Jeddah-based Maricar Remegio wants hers dipped in salt while Ma. Rosario Ordonez likes to dip them in fish paste. The good news is that they can take apples as much as they like since according to studies, eating apples and fish during pregnancy may protect against childhood asthma and allergies

Young mom Ma. Krisseth Paola Arellano once bought a whole roll of ube cake and found that she liked looking at it more than eating it, so she shared half of it with family members and kept the other half to stare at until the next day.

The truth is, pregnant women crave for food not only for consumption, but also to fill an emotional need that pregnant women themselves can't explain. Be that as it may, it is important for a mom-to-be to watch what she eats, as her diet during pregnancy impacts her offspring’s health on the long term.


Sources:
•    www.careduringpregnancy.com
•    www.drugs.com/npc/pineapple.html  
•    www.pregnancysurvey.com
•    www.webmd.com
•    www.pregnancytoday.com   
•    www.simple-remedies.com
•    coconuter.blogspot.com/  
•    www.netdoctor.co.uk
•    www.everydiet.org
•    www.myoptumhealth.com
•    www.parentingweekly.com
•    www.thelaboroflove.com
•    www.medicalnewstoday.com
•    www.sciencedaily.com


Main photo by Chino Acosta

Photos: chocolate, mangoes, pineapples, pasta, ice cream, French fries, coconuts, corn, bananas, apples