Gross Pregnancy Cravings: 20 Common and Unusual Food Desires During Pregnancy

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Table of Contents

• Understanding Pregnancy Cravings: The Science Behind the Madness
• 10 Common (But Sometimes Gross) Pregnancy Cravings
• 10 Truly Unusual Pregnancy Cravings That Raise Eyebrows
• The Science Behind Your Bizarre Food Desires
• Navigating Cravings: Healthy Alternatives to Satisfy Your Desires
• Partner’s Survival Guide: Supporting Through Weird Cravings
• When Cravings Go Too Far: Understanding Pica During Pregnancy
• Craving Confidential: Embracing Your Unique Pregnancy Journey
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Pregnancy Cravings: The Science Behind the Madness

Pregnancy transforms your body in countless ways, but perhaps nothing is quite as notorious (or occasionally revolting) as the food cravings that can strike at any hour. From the stereotypical pickles and ice cream to combinations that would make even adventurous foodies cringe, these cravings are a universal yet deeply personal aspect of pregnancy.

According to a 2022 study in the Journal of Nutrition, approximately 76% of pregnant women experience food cravings during their pregnancy journey, with the peak typically occurring during the second trimester. Dr. Amanda Rodriguez, OB-GYN and maternal nutrition specialist, explains, “Pregnancy cravings aren’t just random whims—they often represent the body’s attempt to communicate nutritional needs or hormonal shifts happening within.”

What makes these cravings particularly fascinating is how they vary across cultures, suggesting both biological and cultural influences play significant roles. While American women might crave sweet and salty combinations, Japanese women more commonly report cravings for rice dishes and pickled foods.

Before we dive into our countdown of the strangest pregnancy cravings, remember this: there’s rarely a “normal” when it comes to pregnancy. Your cravings—however gross they might seem to others—are part of your unique pregnancy story.

10 Common (But Sometimes Gross) Pregnancy Cravings

The Sweet and Salty Classics

1. Pickles and Ice Cream – The quintessential pregnancy craving combines the cold sweetness of ice cream with the vinegary crunch of pickles. While this pairing sounds revolting to many, the combination of sweet and salty flavors activates multiple pleasure centers in the brain. One expectant mother, Jamie from Denver, reported eating this combination daily for her entire second trimester: “My husband couldn’t stay in the same room when I’d dip my dill pickles directly into vanilla ice cream. But honestly? It was heaven.”

2. Peanut Butter on Everything – From spreading it on pickles to mixing it into spaghetti sauce, pregnant women often find themselves using peanut butter as a universal condiment. The protein and fat content makes it satisfying, but the applications can get downright disturbing.

3. Fast Food Fries Dipped in Milkshakes – This craving crosses over into mainstream enjoyment, but pregnant women take it further—sometimes requesting extra salt on the fries or unusual milkshake flavors like mint or coffee to create combinations that would normally make them queasy.

The Texture-Based Cravings

4. Ice and Frozen Treats – Many pregnant women develop an obsession with crunching ice or eating frozen fruits. This craving, sometimes associated with iron deficiency, can become so intense that women report bringing bags of ice to bed.

5. Extremely Sour Foods – Lemons eaten whole, extra-sour candy, or vinegar-soaked vegetables become irresistible to many pregnant women. The pucker-inducing sourness provides sensory stimulation that can temporarily relieve nausea for some.

6. Chalk-like Textures – Some women crave the powdery texture of certain foods like dry cereal without milk, plain flour, or even baking ingredients. This unusual texture preference can sometimes border on pica (the craving of non-food items).

The Spice Seekers

7. Extreme Spicy Foods – Even women who previously couldn’t handle mild salsa suddenly find themselves dousing everything in hot sauce. Sarah from Atlanta shared: “I literally carried a bottle of sriracha in my purse throughout my pregnancy—something I would have found disgusting before conception.”

8. Citrus Overload – The bright, acidic profile of citrus fruits becomes irresistible to many pregnant women. Some report eating multiple grapefruits daily or adding lemon juice to nearly every beverage and meal.

9. Vinegar-Based Anything – Beyond pickles, pregnant women often crave other vinegar-heavy foods like salt and vinegar chips, pickled vegetables, or even straight vinegar added to dishes.

10. Cold, Raw Vegetables – While this may sound healthy, the craving often manifests in unusual ways, such as eating whole bell peppers like apples or munching on frozen broccoli straight from the freezer.

10 Truly Unusual Pregnancy Cravings That Raise Eyebrows

The Eyebrow-Raising Combinations

1. Ketchup on Bananas – This particularly disturbing combination pairs the sweetness of ripe bananas with the tangy, vinegary flavor of ketchup. Nutritionist Dr. Maya Patel notes, “While seemingly random, this craving might actually represent the body seeking both potassium and natural sugars alongside the vitamins in tomato-based products.”

2. Oreos Dipped in Salsa – The chocolate cookie gets a spicy makeover when pregnant women dip Oreos into salsa. The chocolate-tomato-spice combination might sound repulsive, but multiple online pregnancy forums have threads dedicated to this particular craving.

3. Pickle Juice in Cereal – Perhaps the most visually unappealing craving on our list, some pregnant women report replacing milk with pickle juice in their morning cereal. The resulting green-tinted breakfast has sent more than one partner running from the kitchen.

4. Fish Sticks with Custard – Made famous by a science fiction show but apparently a real pregnancy craving, this sweet-savory combination pairs the crispy exterior of fish sticks with sweet, creamy custard.

The “I Can’t Believe I’m Eating This” Category

5. Toothpaste Sandwiches – While dangerously close to pica territory, some pregnant women report spreading a thin layer of toothpaste between bread for a minty sandwich. Medical professionals strongly discourage this due to ingredients in toothpaste not meant for consumption.

6. Burnt Matches – The smell and taste of burnt matches becomes appealing to some pregnant women, who may lick the burnt end. This is considered a form of pica and should be discussed with a healthcare provider immediately.

7. Coffee Grounds – Beyond brewing coffee, some pregnant women report eating coffee grounds directly from the container or the used filter. The bitter, gritty texture becomes inexplicably satisfying.

8. Dirt or Clay – A classic example of pica during pregnancy, the craving for earth-based substances has both cultural and potentially nutritional roots, as some types of clay contain minerals the body might be lacking.

9. Charcoal or Ashes – Similar to the burnt match craving, some pregnant women report a desire to consume charcoal or ashes. This is definitely in pica territory and requires medical attention.

10. Ice Cream with Mustard – The creamy sweetness of ice cream gets an unexpected tangy kick when pregnant women add mustard as a topping. Some even request this combination at ice cream parlors, much to the horror of employees and other customers.

The Science Behind Your Bizarre Food Desires

Your pregnancy cravings aren’t just random whims—they’re a complex interplay of hormonal, nutritional, and psychological factors. Research published in the Journal of Reproductive Health in 2023 suggests that pregnancy cravings may be the body’s way of addressing specific needs:

Hormonal Influences on Taste Perception

The dramatic hormonal changes during pregnancy—particularly fluctuations in estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)—directly affect how taste buds function. Dr. Elizabeth Warren, endocrinologist specializing in reproductive health, explains: “These hormonal shifts can make previously enjoyed foods suddenly repulsive while making unusual combinations strangely appealing. The same mechanisms that cause morning sickness can trigger specific food cravings.”

For many women, these hormonal changes create a heightened sensitivity to bitter tastes (an evolutionary adaptation possibly designed to protect against potential toxins) while increasing the appeal of sweet, salty, and sour flavors. This explains why chocolate, pickles, and citrus fruits often top the craving lists.

The Nutritional Deficiency Theory

While not all cravings have clear nutritional connections, some patterns suggest your body might be seeking specific nutrients:

Nutritionist Rachel Greenfield adds, “While the direct connection between cravings and nutritional needs isn’t always clear-cut, addressing underlying deficiencies can sometimes reduce the intensity of unusual cravings. Always discuss significant cravings with your healthcare provider.”

Navigating Cravings: Healthy Alternatives to Satisfy Your Desires

When those bizarre cravings strike, having a strategy to satisfy them in healthier ways can help maintain nutritional balance during pregnancy. The goal isn’t to eliminate cravings but to honor them in ways that support both maternal and fetal health.

Craving Substitution Strategies

For every unusual craving, there’s often a healthier alternative that can satisfy the same taste or texture desire:

• For extreme sweetness: Try natural sweeteners like dates or frozen grapes instead of processed sugars. Melissa, a mother of twins, shared, “I was constantly craving sugar-loaded cereals at midnight. My midwife suggested freezing grapes and having those instead. The concentrated sweetness and cold crunch were surprisingly satisfying.”
• For intense saltiness: Lightly salted nuts, seeds, or homemade popcorn can provide the salt fix without excessive sodium. Try sprinkling nutritional yeast on popcorn for a savory umami flavor.
• For weird texture cravings: If you’re craving unusual textures (like the chalkiness some women desire), try freeze-dried fruits, rice cakes, or roasted chickpeas for satisfying crunch without nutritional compromise.
• For sour cravings: Plain yogurt with a drizzle of honey, kombucha (check alcohol content), or naturally fermented foods can provide that sour kick while delivering probiotics.

Remember that indulging occasional unusual cravings isn’t harmful—pregnancy is challenging enough without complete deprivation. The key is moderation and awareness.

Partner’s Survival Guide: Supporting Through Weird Cravings

Partners of pregnant women often find themselves on late-night food missions or witnessing eating habits that test their gag reflexes. Here’s how to navigate this aspect of pregnancy with grace and humor.

Becoming the Craving Hero

Supporting your pregnant partner through their unusual food desires can strengthen your bond during this transformative time. James, whose wife craved hot sauce on vanilla ice cream throughout her third trimester, offers this advice: “I learned quickly that judgment was the enemy. Once I stopped making faces at her combinations and just embraced the weirdness, we actually started having fun with it. We created a ‘pregnancy craving journal’ that’s now a hilarious keepsake.”

Practical tips for partners include:

1. Keep a craving kit stocked with commonly desired items
2. Normalize the unusual by approaching cravings with curiosity rather than disgust
3. Document the journey through photos or notes (with permission) for memories later
4. Learn to make simple versions of frequently craved items
5. Maintain boundary awareness about when you need to step away (nobody needs to watch someone dip pickles in chocolate sauce if it truly revolts you)

Dr. Michael Chen, family psychologist, emphasizes that “The partner’s response to pregnancy cravings can significantly impact the emotional well-being of the pregnant person. Approaching even the strangest cravings with acceptance rather than ridicule creates a supportive environment during this vulnerable time.”

When Cravings Go Too Far: Understanding Pica During Pregnancy

Recognizing Non-Food Cravings

While most pregnancy cravings are harmless (if occasionally disgusting), pica—the persistent craving and consumption of non-food items—requires immediate medical attention. Between 8-28% of pregnant women experience pica to some degree, depending on cultural factors and geography.

Common pica substances craved during pregnancy include:

• Clay, soil, or dirt (geophagia)
• Ice or freezer frost (pagophagia)
• Laundry starch or cornstarch
• Chalk, charcoal, or ashes
• Paper, toilet paper, or tissues
• Soap or soap flakes
• Burnt matches

Dr. Jasmine Patel, maternal-fetal medicine specialist, warns, “Pica during pregnancy can indicate significant nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron, zinc, or calcium. More concerning, consumption of non-food substances can introduce harmful toxins, parasites, or bacteria that pose risks to both mother and baby.”

If you experience cravings for non-food items, don’t suffer in silence or shame. Contact your healthcare provider immediately for evaluation and support. Blood tests can identify nutritional deficiencies that may be contributing to pica behaviors.

Craving Confidential: Embracing Your Unique Pregnancy Journey

Your pregnancy cravings—however bizarre, disgusting, or embarrassing they may seem—are part of your unique maternal experience. Rather than hiding or feeling ashamed of these desires, consider these action steps for integrating them into your pregnancy journey:

1. Document your craving story – Keep a simple journal of your most unusual cravings. This becomes both a fascinating record and sometimes a source of amusement after your pregnancy.
2. Create a judgment-free zone – Establish clear boundaries with those around you about respecting your food choices during pregnancy, however strange they may seem.
3. Balance indulgence with nutrition – Develop a practical framework for treating yourself to cravings while maintaining nutritional balance—perhaps using the 80/20 rule where 80% of choices are nutrient-focused.
4. Connect with other pregnant people – Sharing craving stories in pregnancy groups can provide both comic relief and normalize your experiences.
5. Maintain open communication with healthcare providers – Regular discussions about cravings can help identify any potential nutritional imbalances that might need addressing.

Remember that pregnancy cravings—even the gross ones—generally disappear after delivery. Your sudden desire for pickles dipped in peanut butter and rolled in crushed potato chips is temporary, even if it feels all-consuming in the moment.

What strange food desires are teaching you about surrender, body trust, and the profound transformation of creating new life? Perhaps these cravings are just one of many ways your body is showing its ancient wisdom during this remarkable journey into motherhood.

As you navigate your unique craving landscape, approach yourself with the same tenderness and acceptance you’ll soon offer your child. Your body is performing the miraculous task of creating a new human—it deserves grace, even when it wants to eat things that make others gag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are pregnancy cravings a sign that my baby needs certain nutrients?

While this is a common belief, scientific evidence doesn’t strongly support the idea that cravings directly reflect your baby’s nutritional needs. Dr. Susan Miller, reproductive endocrinologist, explains: “Cravings are more likely related to maternal hormonal changes, sensory alterations, and cultural conditioning than specific fetal needs. That said, severe cravings for non-food items (pica) can indicate significant nutritional deficiencies that should be addressed with healthcare providers.”

How can I tell if my cravings are normal or if I should be concerned?

Most food cravings during pregnancy—even unusual combinations or desires—are completely normal and harmless. However, you should contact your healthcare provider if: 1) You’re craving non-food items like dirt, soap, or chalk; 2) Your cravings lead to significant nutritional imbalance or weight issues; 3) Cravings are accompanied by other concerning symptoms; or 4) The intensity of cravings causes significant distress or interferes with daily functioning.

Do pregnancy cravings predict the baby’s gender?

Despite popular myths suggesting that craving sweet foods indicates a girl while savory or salty cravings predict a boy, no scientific evidence supports these claims. A 2021 study of 1,400 pregnancies found no correlation between craving types and fetal sex. These gender prediction methods fall into the category of cultural folklore rather than medical science. The only reliable methods for determining fetal sex are ultrasounds, genetic testing, or waiting until birth.