Food cravings during pregnancy are not uncommon; in fact, some women have pretty strange cravings. This post will explore whether a tomato craving during pregnancy is a good thing or could be a sign of an underlying medical cause.
An excessive craving for tomato products or tomatoes is referred to as tomatophagia, which is sometimes linked to nutritional deficiencies, particularly in expecting women. It can also happen to individuals with iron deficiency anemia, although raw tomatoes do not have a high iron content. Craving tomatoes during pregnancy might also mean a lack of fiber, vitamin C, or antioxidants in your diet.
Craving raw tomatoes during pregnancy is not necessarily a bad thing since they contain folate, vitamins A and C, iron, and lycopene, which are good for fetal health. The vitamin C content assists with more efficient iron absorption, which is crucial for pregnant women.
Some ladies crave tomato soup or other products like tomato juice and even tomato sauce while pregnant. If you have an intense craving for these products, it’s best to limit your salt intake. According to The American Heart Association, you should not exceed 2300 milligrams of sodium daily. Keeping your intake at 1500 milligrams daily is ideal for heart health.
When shopping for tomato soup during pregnancy, look for products that say “no added salt” or “low sodium” on the packaging. Also, making homemade tomato soup can help you control exactly how much salt you add to the dish. Some tomato juice brands contain a lot of salt, however, you can get low-sodium varieties in most grocery stores. The best thing still remains raw tomatoes, as they have a higher fiber content.
My pregnancy cravings
I remember when I was expecting my son, I had severe morning sickness symptoms during my first trimester. But I referred to it as afternoon and evening sickness because it used to be at its worst during those times to the point where I lost weight instead of gaining. Most foods were unappealing to me and just the thought of it made me want to throw up.
My biggest craving was orange juice. I do not normally drink a lot of orange juice, even though I love the taste. It is just not my go-to drink. Well, during my first trimester, I used to crave it all the time, and it went down easily. I also craved toasted cheese sandwiches and skinny American fries with Robertson’s salt and vinegar spice. It was fairly safe to eat these without feeling sick afterward. Thankfully, with my second trimester, the morning sickness subsided, and I had a broader range of menu choices to choose from.
Tomato Craving during pregnancy
Craving tomatoes while pregnant probably makes you wonder if tomato is good for pregnancy. As mentioned, it contains certain vitamins and minerals that keep the fetus healthy. It is safe to eat tomatoes during pregnancy but in moderate quantities. However, the general rule of thumb with pregnancy is whenever you’re in doubt, rather ask your doctor before taking any supplements or eating foods that you might have reservations about.
What is the leading cause of craving tomatoes during pregnancy?
Tomatoes contain plenty of minerals, antioxidants, vitamins, and phytochemicals, which include:
- Potassium
- Lycopene
- Vitamin A
- Lutein
- Carotene
- Vitamin C
- Folic acid
When you have a nutritional deficiency that is due to restricted eating or dieting, it could lead to a tomato craving or a craving for tomato-based foods. Tomato cravings during pregnancy or any other cravings are not out of the ordinary. While there is no certain reason as to why these cravings happen, they might be the result of hormonal fluctuations or nutritional deficits.
Food cravings might be the side effect of iron deficiency anemia, a condition resulting from not having enough healthy red blood cells.
Can Pregnant Women Eat Tomato Soup?
Tomatoes are packed with lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect your body against cell damage. Studies revealed that pregnant women who include lycopene in their pregnancy eating plan experienced a lower risk of preeclampsia. Lycopene is also what gives tomatoes their beautiful red color.
What are the symptoms linked to iron deficiency anemia?
The symptoms associated with iron deficiency anemia include:
- Weakness
- Exhaustion
- Cold hands and feet
- Pale skin
When to see a doctor?
If you have a tomato craving during pregnancy, it is possible that you might have some nutritional deficiency. Speak to your OB/GYN about your present eating plan to find out whether it needs to be changed. Always try to supplement your diet with the appropriate prenatal vitamins during pregnancy. They are generally high in folate an essential nutrient contained in tomatoes.
When you are consuming a lot of tomatoes and the skin on the palms of your hands, as well as the soles of your feet, has a yellow color, you should consult your doctor. It could be lycopenemia or carotenemia which are conditions that are the result of eating too many foods that have a carotene content.
How can you treat a tomato craving?
If your tomato craving during pregnancy is due to an underlying medical issue, there are certain things you can do to help lower the craving.
- Eat alternative foods with the same nutrients as tomatoes – This will help with preventing lycopenemia or carotenemia while contributing to a well-balanced diet.
- Maintain a food diary – Keep tabs on everything you eat and drink and write them down. This could assist with finding patterns in your eating plan and symptoms.
- Follow a balanced eating plan – This will ensure that you are getting the necessary nutrients.
Conclusion
If you have a tomato craving during pregnancy, it could be due to an underlying condition. Eating an excess of tomato-based items or tomatoes can also cause carotenemia or lycopenemia. If you are eating more tomatoes than usual while being pregnant, it is best to see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical issues or food deficiencies.
I hope this post was useful to you and if you had any strange food cravings during your pregnancy, I would like to hear all about it in the comments.
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