While you’re pregnant, you’ve probably heard a lot of jokes about how much you want to eat. These jokes are funny for a reason: about 20% of pregnant women say they crave certain foods. S. women experience food cravings during pregnancy (1).
Pickles are one of the most common cravings because many pregnant women like the salty taste and crunchy texture of them.
You may have heard your mom say, “I thought about pickles at 11 p.m. when I was pregnant with you.” m. every night, as if it were clockwork!” — and now you may be experiencing the same.
Cravings during pregnancy are something that everyone goes through. They’re a normal, everyday thing that brings people together.
However, despite what your grandmother may have told you, your baby’s desire for a certain food does not indicate sex. There’s no scientific evidence to support this, so don’t go shopping for clothes just yet.
Rapidly changing hormones during pregnancy may explain cravings, though research is still sparse in this area.
Still, it is known that there is a huge increase in estrogen and progesterone in the first three months of pregnancy. This is why morning sickness and vomiting are so common.
As the second trimester goes on, most pregnant women get used to their high hormones. Morning sickness goes away and cravings get stronger. One idea is that cravings happen naturally when your body is getting over not wanting to eat or being sick in the morning (1).
Pregnancy may also significantly change sensory perceptions, including taste and smell. It’s perfectly normal to dislike your usual comfort foods or to turn to foods you used to hate as pantry staples.
Many studies have found that 276 percent of pregnant women have strange smell and taste sensations and 276 percent are less sensitive to salt (3).
It’s speculated that these sensory changes occur to protect you from potentially toxic foods (1).
There is no proof that hormones that make you crave salt are affected by less salt sensitivity, but these cravings may make sense on a behavioral level, since salty foods may be something you can easily taste.
You may have also heard a more “scientific” explanation that pickle cravings mean you’re low in sodium. There is a myth that during pregnancy, your sodium needs rise along with your blood volume. If you’re craving pickles, it just means you’re low on this mineral.
It’s true that certain nutrient requirements change during pregnancy. For example, a pregnant woman needs 27 mg of iron every day, while an adult woman only needs 18 mg. Requirements for zinc, folate, iodine, and protein also increase (4).
Some people think that food cravings are your body’s way of telling you that it needs more of these important nutrients. However, foods containing these nutrients, such as eggs, meat, and dairy, are reported as common pregnancy aversions (5).
Pickles, ice cream, chocolate, and pizza, on the other hand, are said to be the foods people crave the most because they are high in salt, fat, and calories.
Pickled pork skin, also known as cueritos, is a popular snack in many cultures. However, when you’re pregnant, you have to be more mindful of what you put in your body In this article, we’ll explore whether it’s safe to eat pickled pork skin during pregnancy.
What Are Cueritos?
Cueritos are a Hispanic dish made from pork skin pickled in a brine solution containing vinegar, salt, spices, and other flavorings. The pork skin is first cooked until tender before being pickled. This gives the pork rinds a pleasantly chewy texture with a tangy, sour flavor.
Cueritos are often eaten as a salty, crunchy snack either on their own or served with salsa or hot sauce for dipping. They can also be added to tacos, soups, burritos, and other dishes to provide texture and a pickled pork taste
Now that you know what cueritos are let’s look at whether it’s okay to eat them if you’re expecting.
Potential Benefits of Cueritos in Pregnancy
Despite some risks, eating pickled pork skin in moderation while pregnant may offer certain benefits:
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Protein – Pork skin is high in protein, which is vital for your baby’s growth and development. The protein can also help minimize excessive weight gain.
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Collagen – Cueritos provide collagen, which promotes healthy hair, skin and nails – something especially important during pregnancy.
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Flavor and crunch – The tangy, spicy flavor and crispy texture can satisfy cravings during pregnancy. Chewing may also help relieve nausea.
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Unsaturated fat – Pork contains 43% unsaturated fat, the healthier kind of fat found in oils like olive oil. This can balance your fat intake.
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Low carb – As a low carb food, cueritos may assist with gestational diabetes and maternal weight control.
So while they need to be eaten carefully, cueritos can supply key nutrients and craving satisfaction when pregnant. Let’s look at the risks next.
Potential Risks of Cueritos in Pregnancy
Although they offer some upside, there are also risks to consider with pickled pork rinds:
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Bacteria risk – Raw or undercooked pork may harbor toxoplasma, listeria, salmonella or other dangerous bacteria. Proper cooking is crucial before pickling.
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High sodium – Pickled foods like cueritos tend to be very high in sodium, which can raise blood pressure and swelling.
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Higher calories/fat – The fat and calorie counts can quickly climb and potentially contribute to excessive weight gain.
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Nitrates – Some pickled items may contain nitrates/nitrites to preserve color. High intake of these can be harmful in pregnancy.
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Digestive issues – Heavily spiced, pickled items may trigger heartburn, gas or digestion troubles – already common woes during pregnancy.
To gain the benefits while avoiding risks, mindful moderation is key if eating cueritos while pregnant.
How to Safely Eat Cueritos When Pregnant
If you’re craving cueritos during pregnancy, you don’t need to avoid them completely. Follow these tips to indulge safely:
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Buy pre-prepared products – Opt for brands labeled “ready to eat” that were processed safely. This reduces bacteria risk.
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Cook thoroughly at home – If making homemade cueritos, ensure the pork skin is well-cooked before pickling to eliminate bacteria.
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Eat in moderation – Limit to 1-2 small servings per week for adequate but not excessive sodium, fat and spices.
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Pair with healthy foods – Balance cueritos with fruits, vegetables, yogurt and other nutritious items to round out your diet.
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Stay hydrated – Drink ample water before, during and after eating to aid digestion and flush out extra sodium.
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Listen to your body – Avoid cueritos if you have unpleasant symptoms like heartburn, gas or discomfort. Your and your baby’s wellbeing comes first.
With mindful portions and proper prep, you can thoughtfully incorporate cueritos into your pregnancy diet. Still, be sure to check with your doctor about any dietary concerns.
Satisfying Alternatives to Cueritos
If you decide to skip the cueritos altogether when pregnant, try these tasty alternatives to satisfy cravings:
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Pickled vegetables – For tangy crunch opt for pickled carrots, jicama, radishes, cucumbers or other veggies. Add spices to taste.
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Popcorn – Air-popped or low-fat popcorn gives a healthy lower-sodium crunch. Sprinkle on chili powder or nutritional yeast for flavor.
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Roasted chickpeas – Toss chickpeas in oil and spices then roast until crispy. You get protein and satisfaction without the pork.
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Rice cakes – Look for seasoned rice cakes with spice flavors like jalapeno to mimic cueritos taste. Top with salsa for a kick.
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Hummus and vegetables – Dip raw, crunchy veggies like jicama and bell peppers into protein-rich hummus.
With some creativity, you can find satisfying plant-based alternatives to please your cravings while pregnant. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider as well.
The Bottom Line
Craving cueritos during pregnancy is understandable. In moderation, with proper handling, it can be safe to occasionally indulge pickled pork cravings when expecting. For safety, opt for pre-made options, control portions, and pair with nutritious foods.
However, the risks of high sodium, nitrates, fat and improper cooking are real. If ever in doubt, go for healthy veggie-based alternatives. With thoughtful choices, you can keep both you and your growing baby happy and healthy!
Cultural perception of cravings
Another factor in pregnancy cravings may be the way that various cultures approach and perceive food. That’s because culture plays a strong role in our eating habits.
The most common food craving for pregnant women in Japan is rice, while in North America pickles are the most common food craving
You might be more likely to have pickle cravings when you’re pregnant because of what other people have said about them.
Eating pickles during pregnancy may have a variety of health effects, both positive and negative.
Although it’s perfectly fine to satisfy your craving, you shouldn’t consider pickles a health food.
Pickles are, in large part, appealing due to their salty, briny flavor.
They’re high in sodium, an essential mineral for fluid balance. But in North America, most people already take more than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) daily limit of 2,000 mg. This includes pregnant women (8, 9).
This makes it very unlikely that you need the sodium from pickles.
In fact, excess sodium may cause water retention and increase your risk of high blood pressure during pregnancy (10).
You can satisfy your pickle craving, but don’t eat too many of them and watch out for too much sodium.
Pickles are full of vitamins; just one dill pickle has 15% of the daily value for vitamin K for pregnant women. This vitamin helps your blood clot and keeps your bones strong (11, 12).
For babies, pickle juice has a lot of vitamin C, which helps their tissues grow and their immune systems develop (13)
All the same, pickles’ high sodium content means that you shouldn’t overindulge in this snack. That’s because a medium-sized pickle packs 325 mg of sodium, which is 16% of the recommended maximum intake (8, 14).
It’s perfectly safe to eat most types of pickles, in moderation, during pregnancy.
Still, you shouldn’t eat homemade pickles because they are more likely to grow harmful bacteria like Listeria, which can cause serious problems during pregnancy (15, 16).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say that pregnant women are 10 times more likely than other people to get Listeria fever. Thus, it’s best to diligently avoid all homemade pickles (17).
Instead, opt for store-bought pickles, which are safe to enjoy during pregnancy.
Food Safety in Pregnancy by OB-GYN | “Wash Your Produce!” | Listeria, soft cheese, deli meat & sushi
FAQ
Can you eat pork rinds while pregnant?
Can you eat pickled food when pregnant?
Is pickled pork skin healthy?
What is pickled pork skin?
Are Pickles a common food craving during pregnancy?
While pickles are a common pregnancy craving in North America, rice is the most frequently reported food craving for pregnant people in Japan (6, 7). It’s possible that the hearsay around pickle cravings has predisposed you to have the same types of cravings when you’re expecting. summary
Why is pork not recommended to eat?
This is not true, some cuts like sirloin and pork rump steak, for example, are very healthy, even healthier than beef and chicken. Only the fattest cuts like bacon and crackling should be avoided.
Are Pickles a sign of a baby girl?
(Sweet and fruity cravings supposedly point to a baby girl.) There’s no science behind this superstition, however, so you might want to look for some other signs whether you’re having a boy or a girl. If you haven’t eaten pickles in a while or never felt drawn to pickles before pregnancy, you have so many options to choose from now.
Does a pickle craving mean you’re low in sodium during pregnancy?
There’s a myth that sodium needs increase alongside blood volume during pregnancy, and a pickle craving simply means you’re low in this mineral. However, much like your grandma’s old yarns, there’s no evidence behind this myth. It’s true that certain nutrient requirements change during pregnancy.