There are different reasons for this food craving in pregnant women. The primary reason being that their body is working non stop and these cravings satisfy the needs for the extra calories. Food cravings are also caused due to the lack of nutrition. This explains why some women during their pregnancy get the urge to eat something that they would not otherwise. The common deficiency among pregnant women is lack of iron in the body. The hormones in the body create some strange food cravings. However, there is no harm in satisfying your cravings by stuffing yourself with little amount of that food. There are also instances when some women crave for bad substances like dirt which is a condition termed medically as “pica” and is a result of iron deficiency. The normal cravings for chocolate are due to lack of B vitamins. There are also some women who crave for protein which is very desirable.

However, for pregnant women who crave for clay or dirt should definitely consult a doctor. This condition also leads to cravings for coffee grounds, toothpaste and strange substance like plaster and paint chips that can harm the body and should be avoided completely. Thus, food cravings generally do not cause any harm and can be cured by keeping a balanced diet during your pregnancy.