Craving meat

gradmommy13

I'm not vegetarian, but I'm not usually very big on meat. I eat chicken occasionally, but that's about it. During my 6th week and then now again I'm just craving meat like crazy! When my husband orders steak at a restaurant, I drool over his food! I've been also drooling over bacon at the grocery store. I try eating low sodium turkey bacon occasionally, but I can't eat it everyday! I'm assuming that my body just needs more protein? I try to eat healthy unsalted nuts, but I don't want to eat too much because of the calories. Do you guys have any other suggestions on how to get more protein in my diet?

megsll

You may be low on iron.  When blood increases in pregnancy this is pretty common.  

RachelandEduardo

You may be low on iron. I don't eat red meat (or pork). The days leading up to my positive pregnancy test and the first week after all I craved was red meat. So much so that I broke down and had 3 burgers in about 10 days. When I went to my OB to confirm the pregnancy they checked my iron and it was low!

gradmommy13

Ooh, that could be it! Any suggestions on how to get more iron in my diet? I know that apples have a lot of iron, right?

jesselayne8

According to my theory, you are having a boy: I swear craving carbs = girl and meat = boy.
Seriously though its more likely you are low in iron.

wineo929

I'm a vegetarian and have been for 4 years! Today H ate steak and fried rice and I was hovering over his food! I tried eating chicken about a year ago and got so sick... I know for sure I'd be so sick if I had given into my craving today!

gradmommy13

jesselayne8:

According to my theory, you are having a boy: I swear craving carbs = girl and meat = boy.
Seriously though its more likely you are low in iron.

Haha, my husband would LOVE your theory!

MrsAlonSelect

i'll bet your body is craving iron.  Your blood volume will increase by half and you body needs lots of iron to help fill the new plasma with red blood cells.  Indulge in some red meat.  Just make sure it is thoroughly cooked.

babyonthebrain2010

ditto what everybody else said about iron.. if you're not a vegetarian is the main reason you don't eat red meat health reasons?  If you're craving it, give in and have a piece!  I've been craving burgers, like *real* burgers.. and I've given in every time

AliciaR777

Spinach is high in iron, but I know that red meat has much more. I had to have a steak last night, and it was fabulous!  Listen to your body, it knows what you need more than you do

ProfEDD

Apples have next to no iron. But spinach and other leafy greens do, and certain beans, and good ole' red meat- why not just order the steak? You're craving it for a reason!

GaiaEarthMom12

When I was pregnant in the spring, one night I came home from work and said to DH, "Baby wants STEAK." We went to a local restaurant and had one and it was so delicious. I believe the wisdom about the body needing certain nutrients when we crave things!

Kestrel84

I'm vegetarian and oddly enough have bad meat cravings too. To get extra iron and protein I make a smoothie everyday with frozen raspberries, Greek yogurt, tons of spinach, an orange to help absorption, and a little honey. Also, beans my staple have a lot of iron and some protein. And giving in here and there won't hurt.

BrittKav

I'm a vegetarian and also had a huge meat craving. I finally caved and had a steak which I haven't had in so many years I can't even remember, but it was awesome. I've been doing better but if my body craves something during pregnancy, I eat it, even if it means I can't be a vegetarian while pregnant.

LizzyG11

I kind of disagree with the PPs that a craving automatically means your body needs a certain nutrient. People crave potato chips, french fries, and candy. Is your body telling you you need more sugar?

Sorry if I'm being abrupt, but I think in some cases it can be legit, but in most cases a random craving is just that...random. 

CRLSMC2011

Also, I wouldn't worry too much about the calories now.  You need extra calories.  Just watch your weight gain to make sure it is stable and not too much.  I've been eating like crap and not working out enough but my weight has been stable so I'm not overly concerned.

And like everyone said, the biggest non-meat source of iron is spinach. 

trlricha

jesselayne8:

According to my theory, you are having a boy: I swear craving carbs = girl and meat = boy.
Seriously though its more likely you are low in iron.

Hmmm....girl for me then! DH will be disappointed...the Chinese Gender Chart said girl, too. Haha.

jedimindtrick

I feel like I have been eating tons of red meat since pregnant. My doc said my iron levels were great. I talked to a nutritionist friend and he said that consuming red meat while pregnant is good and it's normal to crave it. For iron and protein. Considering how much your blood volume is increasing, red meat is good. 

gradmommy13

Thanks everyone! I will try to eat more spinach and allow myself to indulge in an occasional steak!