Cravings, I'm Calling Your Bluff!

The first time I became pregnant, I couldn't wait to experience my first "pregnancy craving".  I had heard about the range of crazy foods pregnant women craved; all hours of the day; ranging from typical to the most unusual.  

I always wondered what mine would be and when they would hit.  I would picture my husband getting up and heading to the market or random eatery to pick up something so out of the blue that I craved on a whim.  

And oh did they come! I was surprised how quickly those pregnancy cravings kicked in.  It almost seemed like the minute I knew I was pregnant, that baby was just demanding all kinds of tasty things.  

What were those cravings?
Pickles
Candy (sour and chocolate)
French Fries
Ice cream
Cheeseburgers
Pizza

CRAZY right? No--not at all.  Those are foods I love.  Those are foods I would eat all the time.  Foods I would pick (now) as a treat or cheat or indulgence.  

Can I tell you something? I don't think there really are pregnancy cravings.  At least, not in my world.  I craved the same foods I crave anytime.  The difference was, during my first pregnancies, I gave into them because I had this excuse (pregnancy) to give into them.  To eat whatever the "baby" wanted. 

What a joke! What sabotage! The best foods for my baby isn't junk food.  It is whole, healthy, clean foods.  And the more I indulge in those the better I feel.  

I think it can be easy to use pregnancy as an excuse.  I sure did.  And believe me, I still indulge in those cravings from time to time.  The difference is, I choose when.  I choose how often.  And I do so knowing that it isn't a pregnancy craving; it is me choosing to treat myself to something I don't normally.  I recognize now that just because my mind is telling me I want something or I'm hungry--it doesn't mean I actually am.  If that were the case I would be eating french fries dipped in milkshakes all day long.  

We have to learn to differentiate between a true feeling of hunger and boredom.  A true craving versus just a yummy treat we'd like to indulge in.  

I'm far from perfect at this but am making an effort!

What was your "pregnancy" craving that you liked to give in to??