Kareena Kapoor Khan had a deep-dish pizza to satisfy her pregnancy cravings. Here's why cravings kick in when you are expecting

Pregnancy cravings are hard to fight and can strike an expectant mom anytime. From wanting spicy, sweet, extremely sour treats to satisfying an urge to try out weird food combinations, every expecting woman has a craving like no other.

Moms also say that the type of craving they have can impact a baby's tastebuds and food likings, later on.

Mommy-to-be Kareena Kapoor Khan, who is expecting her second child this February is also feeling the cravings kick in. The actress, who recently announced her lockdown pregnancy shared a post of her gorging on a deep-dish pizza, baked at home.

While the pizza looks quite delicious, we now know the type of cravings Kareena is going through! She had also shared a healthy khichdi, prepared for her by her friends some days back.

Strangely enough, Kareena had a rather interesting craving in her last pregnancy. In a chat with nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar, Kareena revealed that when she was pregnant with Taimur, she was excessively craving for bitter foods, like Karela and Saif, like a darling dad, made sure Kareena got what she wanted!

An excerpt from an earlier interview reads:

“I’m constantly craving a lot of karelas, which is quite… very different. I really like the taste, I enjoy the taste. Everyone says to add a little sugar to it and the bitterness goes, but I don’t like that.I like that it has a bitter, pungent taste to it. It’s something that I enjoy. And it’s extremely rich in iron, and it’s got so many benefits in it. I’m enjoying all the vegetables – today’s lunch was lauki mutter.”

Kareena also enjoyed having a lot of homemade treats like laddoos and sooji ka peda, more than cakes, chocolates and ice-creams!

Pregnancy cravings and aversions arise due to a change in your hormones. Most women start to feel a change in their tastebuds 5-6 weeks after conceiving. These cravings can continue well into the second trimester as well. Sometimes, cravings can also kick in way before a pregnancy is confirmed.

While most cravings and aversions arise due to hormonal fluctuations, some cravings may also be a sign of nutritional deficiency. For example, cravings for spicy or salty foods may be a signal that you are running low on sodium levels. Although cravings are generally easily treatable, pregnancy cravings can be harder to avoid and persist for a longer time.

While cravings do not posit a risk to the pregnancy, if a pregnant woman finds it absolutely difficult to eat any other thing than what she is craving for, or avoids other healthy meals, it might be time to check in with the doctor.

Some pregnant women also suffer from PICA, which relates to an iron-deficiency or anaemia risk, making women crave for non-food items like chalk, dirt or even paint. These are the ones who require absolute attention and doctor's advice.

Most pregnancy cravings are on the unhealthier side. From chips, desserts, ice-creams and fried snacks, cravings can make you pack in more calories than you should be. This can be dangerous if not taken care of.

If you diet follow a regulated diet, it can lead to spike in blood pressure, high sugar levels, weight gain, even deficiencies. Unhealthy cravings also increase the risk of gestational diabetes, more so if a woman is in her 30s or 40s.

Cravings and hankering for certain foods, apart from the pregnancy pampering can make women 'eat for two'. It should be avoided at all costs. In fact, Kareena recently spoke about not being too careful about her diet in her last pregnancy, carrying Taimur:

“Last time, I just took myself for granted and became huge. I put on 25 Kgs. I don’t want to do that. I just want to be healthy and fit. I think the first time, it's just excitement. Everyone’s like parathe khao, ghee khao, doodh piyo, besan ka laddoos are coming. And now, I’m like listen I have done it before, I know what my body requires. My doctor’s like ‘listen you are not eating for two, that is just a myth. Just be healthy and be safe.’ And that is what I am trying to do.”

Certain items, likepackets of chips, can also be laden with preservatives which should only be consumed in moderation.

Cravings aren't bad, as long as you enjoy them in moderation. One of the ways to keep a check on your cravings is to follow a nutritious and balanced diet from the start. Don't go overboard. Have all of your prenatal supplements, plenty of fruits, vegetables and other nutrients which will help your baby grow-as long as you have that covered, your cravings are good to go.