Food Aversion, Cravings, and Constant Hunger
Another telltale sign of the early stage of pregnancy is the sensitivity to certain smells and changes in the sense of taste. Women may suddenly change their food preferences. Some women may start to crave certain foods, while others feel they are always hungry. Some of the foods they love before may suddenly be some of the things they will avoid eating when they are pregnant. The aversion to a particular food may last for a few months, but there are cases when the aversion continues throughout the pregnancy.
Along with food aversion, some women will be craving specific foods at particular times of the day. According to experts, food aversions and cravings are related to the increasing amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone, which the placenta produces, sets off the positive response to a pregnancy test.
During the first trimester, the number of hCG doubles every few days, according to healthcare providers. The hormone level will reach its peak around the 11th week. From then, it levels off. Doctors believe the increased hCG level is responsible for the other early symptoms of pregnancy, such as food aversions, cravings, and nausea.
