Pregnancy Cravings & What They May Be Telling You
Let’s normalize this first: pregnancy cravings are not random.
They’re not shameful.
They’re not something to “resist” or feel guilty about.
Cravings are a language—your body’s sacred way of speaking to you.
They whisper. They pull. They point you toward what you need.
And when you’re living a holistic, organic lifestyle, it can feel confusing when your body suddenly wants a salty bag of chips or a slice of cake the size of your face.
But let’s pause.
Instead of labeling your cravings as “bad,” let’s get curious.
Because more often than not?
There’s wisdom underneath them.
Craving Salt?
Your body might need minerals.
Pregnancy pulls from your stores of sodium, magnesium, potassium, and calcium to build baby’s brain, bones, and nervous system.
If you’re craving chips or olives or pickles, consider adding:
• Mineral-rich bone broth
• Celtic sea salt or Himalayan pink salt (add to water or sprinkle on food)
• Magnesium-rich foods (avocado, pumpkin seeds, leafy greens)
• Electrolyte drinks with clean ingredients (CURE, coconut water, or homemade with lemon, salt + honey)
Craving Sugar or Sweets?
You may need quick energy—or more emotional sweetness.
Blood sugar can fluctuate rapidly in pregnancy, especially if you’re undernourished, overtired, or overextended.
But cravings for sweets can also signal a need for comfort, joy, and pleasure.
Instead of processed sugar, try:
• Roasted root veggies with cinnamon
• Dates with almond butter
• Fresh fruit with coconut cream
• Herbal teas like rooibos or chamomile
• Small joys throughout the day (a nap, a walk, a moment with your hand on your belly)
Craving Ice?
This one often gets dismissed, but craving ice or crunchy things can point to iron deficiency anemia—which is surprisingly common in pregnancy.
Ask your midwife or provider to check your iron and ferritin levels—not just the basics.
Then consider boosting iron-rich, whole-food sources:
• Liver (or desiccated liver capsules)
• Beets
• Blackstrap molasses
• Lentils
• Cooked dark leafy greens with lemon
• Iron-fortified herbs like nettle or yellow dock
Craving Carbs or Bread?
You might just need more calories.
Carbs can feel grounding and comforting, especially in early pregnancy when protein and veggies might be hard to stomach.
Instead of judging yourself, make your carbs work for you:
• Sourdough toast with ghee
• Brown rice with sesame seeds
• Mashed sweet potatoes with cinnamon
• Oats cooked in coconut milk
• Whole grain crackers with cheese or nut butter
Your body is doing so much behind the scenes. Trust that it’s wise.
Craving Nothing? Or Feeling Aversion to Everything?
First trimester nausea and aversions are no joke. Sometimes your body is just focused on growing your baby’s neural tube, and digestion slows down.
Try:
• Warm foods (soups, stews, broths)
• Ginger tea
• Lemon water
• Eating small bites often, even if it’s just fruit or toast
• Honor your appetite fluctuations with grace—you won’t be in this phase forever
Beyond the Plate: Emotional Cravings
Sometimes we’re not craving food—we’re craving:
• Rest
• Support
• Reassurance
• Presence
• Ritual
• Connection with God
What if your craving is an invitation?
To slow down.
To nourish yourself in new ways.
To ask for help.
To let go of pressure and perfectionism.
To return to your body and say: thank you. I’m listening.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
—Psalm 34:8
Even your cravings are part of the design.
They’re not a detour from your values—they’re a deeper invitation into them.
You don’t need to control your cravings.
You get to honor them.
And in doing so—you nourish not just your body, but your whole being.
