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Home › Articles › Eating For Two › Craving Carbs

Craving Carbs

Pregnant and Craving Carbohydrates?

By Shannon McKelden

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"Women with excessive insulin resistance in the first trimester will gain excessive amounts of weight," Dr. Greene says. "This will not only increase their risk of developing gestational diabetes, but it can also raise her risk of developing Type 2 diabetes after pregnancy – especially if she does not successfully return to her pre-pregnancy weight."

A balanced diet is important to a general feeling of well-being also. Ferree found that by the last month of her pregnancy she constantly had the shakes and felt faint. "[My doctor] asked what types of food I ate and that's when we'd discovered I was eating too [many carbs] and not enough protein," she says.

Controlling the Cravings
Indulging in cravings is fine, but Dr. Greene suggests doing so wisely to avoid overeating. Making better carbohydrate choices, such as those considered "power carbs" is one way, but Dr. Greene offers another tip called "sensory focus."

"Eat slowly and concentrate on every aspect of your snack – its aroma, how it feels in your mouth and its multidimensional flavor," Dr. Greene says. "By doing so, your brain will actually release more dopamine because a larger region of the brain is being stimulated." Dopamine is the reward neurotransmitter that leaves you with a feeling of satisfaction.

Ward also reminds pregnant women that during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, only about 300 extra calories are needed (for a total of 2,500 to 2,700 calories per day). That amounts to a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of low-fat milk.

"The old saying that you are eating for two can get you in trouble on the scale," Ward says.

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