Food aversions are typical symptoms at the early stage of pregnancy. They start during the first trimester and soon will go away by the second.

Food aversion

🍜What is food aversion?

A food aversion is when you can’t eat certain foods due to unpleasant smell or taste.😔 It’s the opposite of a craving and also a common symptom in pregnancy just like cravings.🤰 

🍜When will you have food aversions? 

Food aversions often come along with morning sickness around week 5 or 6 of pregnancy. Your appetite can still be out of whack throughout the entire pregnancy but usually the symptoms of food aversions disappear when you reach the second trimester.🤰

Causes of food aversion 

🍜Hormones

Changes in hormones in pregnancy play an important role in changing your appetite. Increased levels of both estrogen and hCG results in nausea, food aversions, and sometimes vomiting.🤮

🍜Heightened stress

In pregnancy, you become hypersensitive to smells👃 and taste, making certain foods unappealing. Food aversion may have developed as a defense against substances that are potentially harmful for the baby. 

How to cope with food aversion

🍜Healthy substitutes

Find healthy substitutes that provide the same nutrient you need. If meat🥩 is a big no no, you can try steamed tofu, nuts and cheese.🍢 

🍜Mix food

You can lure your hyperactive senses by mixing them into other foods that you like.🍲 If you hate spinach, try to blend it with your favorite fruits to camouflage spinach’s taste and smell.😃 

🍜Cold or bland foods

Since cold food doesn’t have a strong taste or smell, you may find it easier to consume it. Bland food such as rice, oatmeal also has a mild taste so you might want to give it a try.🍚