No one craves specific foods as seriously or with as much determination as a pregnant woman.
Not only are all hormones at full throttle, but the protective, nourishing instinct has also already kicked in, says Patricia Pliner, a professor of social psychology at the University of Toronto who has does extensive research on food cravings in pregnancy.The most frequent cravings are for fruit and fruit juices, chocolate and dairy products, in that order. Once the second trimester begins, cravings zoom, she said. But nowhere in her extensive research, Dr. Pliner added, did she find anyone with a special interest in dill pickles.
Nor did anyone ever express a desire for greasy or fried foods. In fact, a distinct aversion to those foods was as strong in pregnant women as their cravings for the desired items, she said.