We all heard stories about the interesting food cravings and combinations during the pregnancy. Lets see what causes them, what they mean and anything should be done about it.
WHY
Food cravings could be due to the effect of the pregnancy hormones, but often, this craving, especially the sweet ones, are the result of a lack of complex carbohydrates in your diet (cereals, rice, bread, etc.).
tips
– Be sure to get enough complex carbs in your daily diet, especially wholegrain.
– Eat more vegetables to feel full faster and control better your food intake.
– If you suffer from cravings, do not abuse simple carbs and sugar and stay low in sugars as much as possible. Sugar will increase your desire for other sugar, leading you to seek more and more.
– Look for healthier alternatives like nuts or nuts spread, fruit and vegetables, etc.
Healthier Alternatives
HOMEMADE FRUIT ICE CREAM
Ingredients: 1 frozen banana and few strawberries, 2tbsp almond butter, few spoons of milk.
Preparation: Cut the fruit into pieces, put them in a ziploc bag and freeze for at least 5 hours. Take out the fruit from the freezer and blend with the almond butter and the milk. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE YOGURT AND CHOCOLATE BAR
Ingredients: 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1tbsp honey, 1tsp vanilla extract, sliced fresh banana (or other fruit you like), dark chocolate chips.
Preparation: Line a rimmed baking tray (pizza size) with baking paper. In a bowl, whisk yogurt, honey and vanilla. Spread it on the baking tray. Sprinkle with banana and chocolate chips. Freeze 4 hours and enjoy!
HOMEMADE MUFFIN
Ingredients: 100g oat flour (or oat that you can blend), 100g banana, 50g pear or strawberries, 60 ml water, 30ml olive oil, 1tsp of baking powder.
Preparation: Mash all the fruit and mix till you obtain a soft cream, add in all the other ingredients, and mix well. Pour the mixture in 4 or 5 muffin mold and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes. Enjoy!
HOMEMADE SWEET POTATO CHIPS
Ingredients: 1 medium sweet potato, fine salt and 2 tbsp of avocado oil.
Preparation: Cut the vegetables into thin slice with a mandolin. Place them in a bowl, add in oil and toss to coat. Place them on a baking sheet with paper and sprinkle with salt. Bake at 150°C for 15 min and turn the chips. Bake other 15 min or until chips are brown and feel slightly crisp. Enjoy!
