Recently spotted strolling to work with sweet treats, Radio 1 DJ Fearne Cotton is clearly making the most out of celebrating her journey as a mum to-be.Alongside the joys of pregnancy often come the inevitable, and often irrational, food cravings of the expectant mother.
Cravings veer towards something more sweet, spicy, or salty than your regular diet – sometimes the body's way of signifying where it is nutritionally deficient. Vegetarians often yearn after steak, and we have all heard about the insatiable need for gerkins.
But where there is no nutritional deficiency, a mother to-be can also respond subconsciously in support of her emotional needs by craving foods that are nostalgic and comforting. Those after something they would never usually enjoy are most probably affected by the hormonal changes that alter senses of taste and smell.
Whilst Fearne appears healthy and radiant in her pregnancy many women lapse into the assumption that they are "eating for two".
Although, according to the NHS women only need to have an extra 200 calories a day in the last three months of their pregnancy.
So don't fall into the false belief that you can eat what you like; look for healthier substitutes for your cravings.
Replace sugar withagave syrup which has a lower glycemix index (G-I) value and enjoy healthy, hearty broths that will satisfy your salt fix.
Instead of cake, go for a wholesome banana muffin , and reach for some popcorn and leave the crisps in the cupboard.
Make home-made versions of shop bought meals. This is a good way to cut out the excess fats and sugar of packaged food.
