Women who experience unusual food cravings while pregnant may be receiving a sign from their body that they are short on certain key nutrients, experts believe.
According to midwife Maggie Evans, who has recently published a Guide to Healthy Eating in Pregnancy, an estimated 68 per cent of pregnant women experience food cravings, often for unusual food items.
In her opinion - one which is shared by many experts - these cravings can often reveal a shortage of minerals, meaning that the unborn baby may be lacking the nutrients it needs for healthy growth and development.
For example, Ms Evans revealed that women who crave cheese during pregnancy may be short on calcium, phosphorous and aluminium, while a craving for dark chocolate often signals a lack of iron.
Another common craving is for olives, which may indicate a lack of sodium.
Women who experience such cravings could benefit from taking mineral supplements in order to ensure they have the necessary intake for a healthy pregnancy.
Women who experience unusual food cravings while pregnant may be receiving a sign from their body that they are short on certain key nutrients, experts believe.
