How to Avoid High-Fat Pregnancy Cravings

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How to Avoid High-Fat Pregnancy Cravings

Pregnant women often experience intense cravings for high-fat foods like french fries. Here, expert advice on how to seek out alternatives and satisfy hunger.

By Leah McLaughlin

Question: "I'm pregnant and I'm craving just one thing, all the time: french fries. What gives?"

Answer: No one really knows why some pregnant women experience cravings and others don't, but one thing's for sure: It's hard not to heed the call. When it comes to foods like french fries or other high-fat items, try to seek out alternatives, says Elizabeth Somer, RD, author of 10 Habits That Mess Up a Woman's Diet (McGraw-Hill, 2006). "An occasional order won't pose any risk, but a daily dose of fries raises your intake of sodium and saturated and trans fats while providing no real beneficial nutrients," she says. "It's better not to waste the calories."

Milton Stokes, RD, a spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, recommends his recipe for baked sweet potato "fries": Cut the sweet potato into wedges, brush with olive oil, and sprinkle with herbs. Then bake at 425°F for about 20 minutes, or until crisp.

Originally published in Fitness magazine, February 2006.