Food Aversions and Cravings during Early Pregnancy: Association with Nausea and Vomiting

Abstract

The prospective cohort study examined whether Ecuadorian women with early pregnancy nausea and vomiting (NVP) are more likely to develop food aversions and cravings, and if so, whether the specific foods identified as aversive or craved are the same as those predicted by the popular maternal-embryo protection hypothesis (MEPH). Consistent with MEPH predictions, women with NVP were more likely to report increased odor sensitivity and aversions for some predicted “toxic” foods and more likely to crave fruits. However, other hypothesis predictions were not supported. The relationship of food aversions and cravings with NVP appears more complicated than that explained by the MEPH.

Keywords:

• morning sickness
• maternal-embryo protection hypothesis
• food aversions
• food cravings
• pica

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge the excellent technical assistance of Obst. Sara Cespedes, Dr. Sylvia Duchicela, Dr. Miriam Betancourt, and the medical staff of the Hospital Patronato Municipal San Jose.

Notes

Support for this study was provided by the Interamerican Development Bank and Ecuadorian National Science and Technology Foundation (BID-FUNDACYT-234).

¹Generic name for prescription medications used to treat nausea and vomiting symptoms caused by a variety of conditions.

²Raw seafood or fish with chopped onions, cilantro, and tomatoes, marinated in key lime juice.

³Boiled tripe in peanut sauce.

⁴Grilled cow intestines.