Influence of pregnancy on dietary selection
Hook, E.B.
International Journal of Obesity 4(4): 338-340
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0307-0565 PMID: 7419353 Document Number: 157219
Food selection during pregnancy is influenced by 3 symptom "complexes": nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP); dietary aversion; and dietary cravings. NVP is characteristic of 80% of American pregnancies. Its absence is associated with increased risk of fetal death. NVP in response to eating specific foods may produce dietary aversions to coffee, alcohol, poultry, meats, fried food, oregano and onions. It has been proposed that aversions result from mechanisms which protect the fetus from toxicants. Cravings for dairy products, sweets and fruits have also been reported. One hypothesis suggests that cravings result from increased maternal energy and metabolic needs during pregnancy. Cultural and geographic factors may play a role in the expression of cravings. These 3 dietary patterns may have evolved due to a potential selective value on fetal outcome. Abrupt changes in dietary behavior during pregnancy may be associated with changes in hormonal levels and other physiological factors.