Why Do Some People Crave Eggs When Pregnant?

Whether or not you've been pregnant before, we've all heard of pregnancy cravings. What is it that causes those famous appetite changes? When you're pregnant, your diet suddenly affects a whole other person, so of course, your body has new needs when it comes to vitamins and nutrients. Often these needs come in the form of cravings for very unexpected foods. Certain cravings are more common among pregnant people, because they are chock-full of nutrients that pregnant folks need. Other pregnancy cravings may occur as a result of all the hormonal changes going on in your body (via FamilyEducation).

Regardless of what's causing your specific desire for a certain food, pregnancy cravings are very common. One of the most common pregnancy cravings? Eggs. It's probably not too often that you've had a major egg craving before, but that doesn't mean you'd be immune to craving eggs if you had a bun in the oven. Still, even though pregnancy cravings often happen for good reasons, that doesn't mean you should give into every craving you have. What you're craving and what foods are best for your unborn baby aren't always the same thing. What is it about eggs that make them so crave-able? What do eggs have that a pregnant body and a baby-to-be needs? And, most importantly, is it safe to give in to your pregnancy craving for eggs?

Eggs are a food with many varied nutritional benefits. As a high-calorie and nutrient-dense food, these wholesome snacks are a great way for parents-to-be to get health benefits and stay full (via Natural Baby Life). Eggs are also a great source of protein. If you're a vegetarian and meat is off the menu, a craving for eggs may be your body's easiest way of telling you to give your protein intake a boost (via The Health Site). 

Eggs also contain healthy fats and plenty of iron which can ward away anemia and help your baby-to-be grow big and strong. Eggs are also great sources of vitamins A, D, and E, as well as many important minerals, such as folate, selenium, lutein, zeaxanthin, choline, and riboflavin. In addition to all the great nutrients that eggs contain, they're the perfect healthy snack or breakfast option for someone who's restricting their carbohydrate intake.

Based on its myriad of health benefits, it's clear that unlike some other cravings, eggs are a food you can indulge in without feeling guilty about major risks. Even so, if your cravings are telling you to whip up an omelet for every meal, you should pump the breaks on honoring all of your body's wishes. You should make sure to heed the American Heart Association's advice and stick to just one to two eggs per day (via American Heart Association). 

It's also important to make sure that your eggs are fully cooked, so fans of runny yolks should wait until after the baby is born to leave your egg on the undercooked side (via U.S. Food and Drug Administration). If your favorite egg style is sunny side up, it's safer to stick with scrambled while you've got a bun in the oven. With those things in mind, it's a very healthy choice to let an egg a day keep those pregnancy cravings away.