• Alyssa Fontaine, RD
• Nov 06, 2025

When Do Food Cravings Begin in Pregnancy?

What Are Pregnancy Cravings?

An uncontrollable urge, not caused by hunger to consume a specific food during pregnancy. 

When Do Food Cravings Typically Start?

Usually, food cravings start towards the end of the first trimester, get stronger and happen more often in the 2nd trimester and then lessen during the third trimester.

Why Do Pregnancy Cravings Happen?

Hormonal Shifts

During pregnancy, estrogen and progesterone increase which affect taste and smell. In the 2nd trimester, a higher level of progesterone affects the genes responsible for an increase in appetite. Furthermore, these hormones increase your brain’s dopamine causing a higher reward response to tasty food.

Nutrient Needs

Your body can crave specific foods that have nutrients that you are deficient in. For example, craving meat if you are iron deficient. This signal that presents itself as a craving may help you support you and your baby’s needs.

Emotional and Cultural Factors

Cravings can occur to support your emotions. Often showing up as craving foods that are typically eaten by the culture you grew up in. Studies have shown that in western countries, sweets and energy dense foods had the highest cravings. In Fiji, fruits such as bananas and mangos were highest.

Common Food Cravings in Pregnancy

• Comfort foods: ice cream, chocolate, desserts
• Fast food: burgers and fries, pizza, club sandwich
• Carbohydrate-rich items: bread, rolls, pasta
• Spicy foods: hot sauce, curries
• Salty foods: pickles, chips, cheese
• Fruits or Vegetables: pineapples, lemons, bananas, avocado, broccoli 
• Protein: red meat, eggs, fish
• Other more unusual combinations: pickles and ice cream, hot sauce with peanut butter toast

Managing Food Cravings in a Healthy Way

1. It’s important to satisfy your cravings in moderation. If you are craving ice cream, try eating 1 scoop instead of 3 scoops or a tub.
2. Find an alternative that is more nutrient dense. Craving something sweet? Swap fruit for candy!

• Make a homemade sorbet with frozen fruit
• Eat a yogurt bowl filled with berries, any fruit, and nuts
• Fruit crisps (apple, blueberry) with unsweetened applesauce

3. Make sure to eat 3 balanced meals/day and add snacks as needed. Feeling hungry can intensify cravings.
4. Remember to stay hydrated! Your brain can confuse thirst cues with hunger cues.
   

When to Talk to a Professional

When you feel that your cravings are taking over and get in the way of eating nutritional foods you can speak to a nutritionist. We can help guide you! Offering healthier alternatives, guiding you with portion control and providing general tips on healthy eating during pregnancy are some of the many ways we’ll be there for you.

If you find yourself craving non-food items such as ice, dirt, paper or chalk you may have a condition called pica. This can sometimes indicate a nutrient deficiency and it’s important to speak to a doctor.

The Bottom Line

Food cravings often begin during your first trimester and intensify in the 2nd. They are influenced by hormones, nutritional deficiencies, emotions and culture. Remember, pregnancy cravings are normal. You are not alone. 

As dietitians, we can help you manage your cravings by emphasizing balanced plates and offering healthier alternatives that still satisfy the urge. Book now!

Check out more pregnancy related articles!