gotta have it

When pregnancy cravings take control, you can indulge them in a healthy way. Here’s how.

Text and recipes by Ethel W. Brennan. meal plan by Kim Galeaz, R.D.

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Pregnancy does some exciting and strange things to a woman’s body. Changes you may experience include naseau as well as cravings for specific foods or combinations of tastes and textures. // Although most cravings occur during the first trimester, some women have them throughout pregnancy. You may even find yourself yearning for foods you’ve never liked before. // “Cravings seem to be an intense need to satisfy hunger, and in some cases, indulging the craving simply reduces nausea,” says Miriam Erick, M.S., R.D., author of No More Morning Sickness: A Survival Guide for Pregnant Women (Plume, 1993). How do you get the nutrients both you and your baby need when you only crave, say, sweet stuff? The answer is a pregnant woman’s dream: Fit Pregnancy’s cravings meal plan. Each day features a flavor or texture theme, such as sweet or crunchy. We also provide snack ideas to satisfy cravings and a rundown of the basics of pregnancy nutrition. With all this, you won’t have to think twice about what you should eat.


our readers crave...
At www.fitpregnancy.com, we asked women to tell us their must-have pregnancy foods. Here are a few of their responses:

“A large pastrami sandwich with a bowl of vanilla ice cream.”
Charlene Lescord, San Pedro, Calif.

“Tomato sauce from a local Italian restaurant several times a week for the first two months. No pasta, just the sauce. Hand me a spoon!”
Jessica DiPrampero, Millsboro, PA.

“Lemons and salt, 24/7.”
Stephanie Hickman-Mathews,
Shawnee, Okla.

“Crackers with black-pepper
seasoning.”
Jillanna Babb-Cheshul, Amherst, Mass.

“Crunchy, breaded liver and lima beans.”
Rolanda L. Polleri, via e-mail

“White cheese with tea.”
Jeanette Santana, Chicago


basics for a healthy pregnancy
These guidelines set the stage for your next nine months.

weight gain> Women of normal weight should gain 25–35 pounds during pregnancy (28–40 pounds if you’re underweight and 15–25 pounds if you’re overweight). Check with your doctor or midwife to see which range is right for you.

calorie counts> Add about 300 calories a day to your diet during your second and third trimesters.

vitamins> Take a daily supplement, as recommended by your doctor or midwife, that supplies 100–150 percent of the Dietary Reference Intake for
all vitamins and minerals. Consider calcium supplements if you can’t make the quota of at least 1,000 milligrams a day (about three glasses of milk).

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