It’s no secret that many pregnant women are hungry lions. They’re forming a whole new human in their bellies and are eating for two, after all. Some also have cravings that didn’t exist before they were expecting. Generally, moms-to-be get quite a bit of compassion, sympathy, and preferential treatment during the months leading up to the birth. But one worker has shared how they’ve tried to be patient with a pregnant colleague and have now just about had it up to their eyeballs.

The expectant mom is constantly stealing her colleague’s food and snacks from the work fridge, despite being asked not to. When the pregnant woman recently devoured a decadent dessert that wasn’t hers and blamed it on the baby’s cravings, the co-worker lost it. They reported the woman to management but are now wondering if that was a bit too unkind.

Pregnant women need to up their calorie intake, especially as they near their due date

Image credits:  annazzhuk/Envato (not the actual photo)

But one person is fed up that a certain colleague is doing it by stealing their food and snacks

Image credits: stu_spivack/Flickr (not the actual photo)

Image credits: Brave-Departure-8475

Cravings are a natural part of pregnancy, but experts warn that moderation is key

Pregnant women may be eating for two, but experts say, on average, they only need to up their calorie intake by 200-300 calories during the second and third trimesters. Overeating and excessive weight gain can actually have a negative impact on both mother and baby.

“Gaining too much weight can lead to an increased risk of a cesarean delivery, delivery complications, gestational diabetes and hypertension in pregnancy,” warned Dr. Arnaldo Torres is the chair of OB/GYN at Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital. “The baby could be at risk for a heavy birth weight, childhood obesity, and adult obesity later in life.”

Women who begin their pregnancy at a healthy weight should gain around 25 to 35 pounds. For underweight women, the figure is 28 to 40 pounds, and those who are already considered overweight are recommended to keep weight gain between 15 and 25 pounds. Women with obesity should aim for 11 to 20 pounds.

According to the Mother Baby Center site, pregnancy cravings are very normal. They’re either a result of changes in a woman’s nutritional needs. For example, a certain nutrient deficiency like iron might cause a red meat craving. The site also suggests pickle craving and iron deficiency tend to be related. Another cause of cravings is the surge in pregnancy hormones.

Image credits: Ömürden Cengiz/Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Individual cravings vary from woman to woman and can change significantly over the course of their pregnancy. It’s okay to give into cravings, to a point. However, pregnant women should still aim to stay healthy and not overindulge too much.

“If you are craving chocolate, try small portions of dark chocolate. Aim for frozen yogurt or sherbet instead of full-fat ice cream,” suggests Dr. Torres. “Be careful with spicy foods, as heartburn could be a side effect. If you’re craving salt, try flavorful salt-free seasonings such as garlic powder, balsamic vinegar, or a salt-free Italian seasoning. A good alternative to potato chips is thinly sliced roasted potatoes flavored with a salt-free seasoning.”

According to the Pampers website, some common pregnancy cravings include sweets (chocolate, candy, or tiramisu!), savory high-calorie carbohydrates (pizza, chips), animal protein (steak, chicken), fruit, savory high-calorie dairy (cheese, sour cream), carbohydrates (pretzels, cereal), fast food (Chinese, Mexican, falafel), cold foods (ice pops, slushies).

But then there are women who have off-the-wall cravings like mud, dirt, charcoal, or soap. This is a condition known as Pica and can be harmful if not controlled. “Pica is an eating disorder characterized by an appetite for substances that lack any nutritional value,” explained Dr. Torres. “Women who lack calcium or iron in their diet may feel the need to eat these non-food items. If you crave these types of items, it is best to see your doctor to rule out vitamin deficiencies.”

“Theft is theft”: many netizens felt the pregnant colleague was totally wrong

“I’ve had 5 babies. Never once stole food”: moms weighed in

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