Craving Spicy Food While Pregnant Boy Or Girl? Myth & Fact
It is natural for every mother to be curious about the sex of the unborn child she is carrying in her belly. That said, there are many beliefs surrounding the much-anticipated question – is it a boy or a baby girl?
Many believe that spicy food cravings in pregnancy indicate you are pregnant with a boy. But is it for real, or is it a common myth?
Let’s find out.
What Is the Science behind Craving Food during Pregnancy?
Pregnancy cravings are the real deal. Around 76% of US women have experienced pregnancy cravings by the second trimester.
If you are pregnant, you will have intense food cravings from the 13th to the 26th week of your pregnancy. Then, it will gradually subside as the delivery date approaches.
You can have pregnancy cravings for several reasons, for instance, your heightened sense of smell or hormonal shifts. Sometimes cravings indicate underlying nutritional deficiencies in your body.
For example, research supports that many pregnant women do not get adequate essential vitamins like A, C, K, and E. These nutrients are indispensable for the mother’s and fetus’s health, and they must have them through diet and supplements.
So, if you are craving foods containing these nutrients, it’s a good sign. That said, succumbing to pregnancy cravings is fine – but keep an eye on the limits.
For instance, if you are craving sugary foods or sweet foods like candies, chocolates, or bakery items, give in to those cravings “occasionally.”
But if you overeat them (more than 30 grams of sugar a day), you risk developing preeclampsia – shooting blood pressure during pregnancy. You might also fall victim to dental problems and gain excess weight.
On that note, depending on your current weight, putting on 5 to 13 kgs extra is healthier for a pregnant mother.
What Are the Food Cravings When You Are Carrying a Boy?
Salty Foods and spicy foods
You might have a boy if you are craving potato chips, cheesy burgers, salty nibbles, or anything with a high salt intake or a spicy taste.
There is no scientific evidence that supports this belief, though. In fact, having salty and spicy food cravings might indicate underlying causes, including hormonal fluctuations, stress, or fatigue. But don’t worry; these causes are common in pregnant women.
Pickles
If you are intensely craving pickles, you might think you are carrying a boy. But science tells otherwise. The urge to grab a giant spoonful of salty pickles may indicate low sodium levels in your body.
If you have a case of high blood pressure, you must consult your nutritionist or doctor before you tweak your diet to include loads of salty and savory treats.
Otherwise, one teaspoon of salt, i.e. 2,300 milligrams daily, would be fine for you and your expected baby.
Cheese
Who does not love cheese? So naturally, having a cheese craving during pregnancy can become hard to resist.
If you wonder whether a cheese craving indicates you are having a baby boy, here’s the thing – it’s one of those pregnancy beliefs. Sometimes it might turn true, sometimes not.
But scientifically, cheese cravings during pregnancy might indicate you’re not getting enough calcium, fats, and intake of protein. Another factor to consider is cheese is often labeled as unhealthy food. But it’s not.
A wedge of cheese has around 8 grams of protein, 6 grams of saturated fat, and 180 mg of calcium. So, you get the nutrients.
There is a type of cheese for almost every health condition. For example, you can opt for low-sodium mozzarella cheese if you have high blood pressure. There is only 16 gm of sodium for 100 gms of low-fat cheese.
Whether cheese cravings indicate having a baby boy or not, only time will tell. But if you have the urge to go cheese, don’t suppress it.
Instead, speak to your nutritionist or doctor and find out whether you can include it in your diet.
Craving Spicy Food during Pregnancy Signals for a Boy?
Craving hot or spicy foods is no indication that you are carrying a boy. But if you enjoy a spicy meal, you might crave it as an escape for the comfort or the feel-good factor, especially when pregnancy gives you the blues.
Do Women Pregnant with Boys Have More Food Cravings than Baby Girls?
Harvard researchers state that mothers carrying a baby boy tend to eat 10% more than those having a baby girl. The urge to consume more foods during pregnancy is probably because of the testosterone secreted by fetal testicles.
Tips for Managing Spicy Cravings during Pregnancy
Maintain an eating schedule
Maintain an eating schedule where you break down your meals into small portions throughout the day – typically every 2 to 3 hours. This will keep you from unexpected hunger pangs, especially during the middle of the night.
Exercise regularly
Exercise regularly, for instance, leisurely riding a bike, walking, or doing yoga or pilates. So, if you eat something unhealthy during pregnancy – like those quick bites of Jell-O. You ensure your fitness (and mood swings!) is in check.
Give yourself the proper amount of sleep
You’ll have to compromise (a lot) on sleep after your babe’s delivery, especially in the first year. So take those power naps as much as possible during the day. Or at least get 8 to 9 hours of sound night sleep.
Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks
Stock your kitchen with healthy snacks like a homemade protein bar, peanut butter, or a fruit muffin. It’s safe to grab a bite of these eats, instead of the packaged, commercial foods, whenever a craving pops up.
Wrapping Up
As a would-be mother, you might be excited to determine the sex of your baby. This might be because you want to go shopping or decorate your baby’s room in advance. Or perhaps, you cannot contain your curiosity.
Whatever the reason, craving spicy foods is a baseless indicator of whether you are carrying a boy.
Instead, rely on factual reports like an ultrasound test that you can do after you’ve crossed the 20-week mark of pregnancy. If you are a patient mum, wait until your due date and let your baby surprise you!
Faqs:
How can I tell if my baby bump is a boy or a girl?
When you receive an ultrasound, you may find out the sex. There is a 90–99% chance of being right after 12–14 weeks of pregnancy, but the chance of being right goes up as you wait. Most women get their first ultrasound for gender prediction between weeks 6 and 8.
What does heartburn during pregnancy mean?
During the time of pregnancy, Heartburn is quite typical. In pregnancy hormone levels change, which makes the valve at the entrance of the stomach relax so that the contents don’t get digested properly. It allows acidic gastric content to pass from the lower part of the digestive tract to the upper part, which is called gastroesophageal reflux (GER).
Can you tell by a baby’s heartbeat if it’s a boy or girl?
Your baby’s heart rate is not indicative of its gender. In the context of pregnancy, several urban legends persist. Some people claim that a baby’s heart rate may tell you the gender of your child as early as the first trimester. It’s a girl if it’s higher than 140 beats per minute.
Sources
https://betterme.world/articles/food-cravings-when-pregnant-with-a-boy/