Food Aversions
Food aversions during pregnancy are almost as common as food cravings. It is quite normal in pregnancy to suddenly be disgusted by the taste, sight, and/or smell of a certain food or beverage that you have always enjoyed. Food aversions can go as quickly and they come and differ from woman to woman as much as cravings do. Meat is probably the most common food aversion, though other popular aversions include water, coffee, tea, fried and fatty foods, highly spiced foods, alcohol, and eggs.
Why They Occur
Like food cravings, the cause of food aversions is pretty much unknown. There is some evidence that hormonal changes in pregnant women cause a heightened sense of smell, which may impact foods that are craved or avoided. Some speculate that food aversions are your body's way of telling you that you should avoid certain foods or beverages that are not good for you during pregnancy. Developing an aversion to coffee or alcohol can help you avoid something you shouldn't be having anyway.
Is it unhealthy to have an aversion to vegetables during my first trimester?
It is common for women to have food aversions even to healthy foods such as vegetables. Try drinking vegetable juice instead of eating whole vegetables. You can also eat more fruit, since many of them contain some of the same nutrients as vegetables. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins to ensure you are getting all of the nutrients that your body needs at this time. However, it's always best to get your nutrients from food before supplements. If you have a temporary aversion to a healthy food, make substitutions. If you're not sure what to substitute, be sure to speak to a dietitian.
On the other hand, some experts worry about aversions to foods that you should be eating and that can cause nutritional deficiencies. If you develop an aversion to specific healthy foods such as milk, make sure you try substituting something nutritionally similar such as yogurt. If you develop an aversion to water, it is essential that you do something to replace it. Try drinking water flavored with 100-percent fruit juice. Remember that food aversions come and go quickly. If you can't stand the sight of a food one day, make sure you try it again soon.
