The Ultimate Pregnancy Cravings List: 87 Cravings (Even the Weird Ones)

Craving pickles at midnight? Eyeing the ice cubes in your drink like they’re a gourmet snack? Welcome to pregnancy, where your taste buds go rogue, your cravings make zero sense — and you’re absolutely not alone.

Whether you’re deep in the peanut butter jar, dipping fries into milkshakes, or fantasizing about non-food items (yep, that’s a thing too), we’ve got you. This is your go-to pregnancy cravings list — complete with science, community faves, and the wildest combos mamas have actually tried (and loved).

Let’s dig in. 🍽️

In this article: 📝

What causes pregnancy cravings?

Honestly? No one knows for sure — but there are a few theories.

Some say it’s hormonal (because obviously, right?), while others think cravings might be linked to cultural conditioning, nutritional gaps, or changes in your brain’s reward system during pregnancy. According to a 2014 study, your brain could just be asking for a serotonin boost via chocolate. Or fries. Or chocolate on fries. 🤷‍♀️ [1]

The cravings might also stem from foods you usually avoid. One study from the University of Albany suggests pregnancy gives you a kind of mental permission slip to go for it — guilt-free. [2]

Whatever the cause, if you’re reaching for foods that surprise even you, you’re in very good company — in fact, it’s estimated that up to 90% of mamas-to-be experience a serious desire for specific foods when pregnant.

You may also experience the opposite of cravings — an intense aversion to certain foods, particularly if you’re dealing with pregnancy nausea. Just a whiff of some food types can leave you feeling green. 🤢 [3]

When do pregnancy cravings start?

Cravings can hit as early as 5 weeks pregnant, and usually peak in the second trimester — when nausea eases up but hormones are still raging. Some may fade by the third trimester. Others? Stick around until birth.

And not everyone gets them! Some pregnant people get food aversions instead (smelling eggs = instant nope), while others breeze through with the same old meal plan.

Still, if you do find yourself dreaming of spaghetti with lemon or chocolate milk on everything, that’s totally normal.

Top 10 most common pregnancy cravings

Here’s what makes the most-wanted list:

1. Sweet stuff: Candy, desserts, and fruity snacks hit hard — especially in the first trimester. While it’s good to watch your sugar intake, a small amount of dark chocolate is fine to have. And it may even have some benefits! The antioxidants in chocolate may help improve the blood flow to your uterus. Just go for a square or two at a time rather than a king-size bar or a whole host of sweets. [4]
2. High-calorie savory food: Pizza, chips, salted peanuts, anyone?
3. Animal protein: Even lifelong vegetarians can get a craving for steak (cooked at least to medium, please!) while pregnant.
4. Fruit: Midnight mango snack? Does every meal need a pineapple chaser? Watermelon, citrus, cantaloupe — all of these are firm favorites. Luckily, this craving can help you pack in nutrients, fiber, and hydration.
5. Savory dairy. Cheese and sour cream are common pregnancy cravings on our list.
6. General carbs. Think pretzels, chips, breadsticks, cereal, pretzels, popcorn… And dry crackers are a staple for mamas with hyperemesis gravidarum.
7. Fast food: There’s something about a McDonald’s fry that just hits different.
8. Cold foods. From popsicles to frozen grapes, cold foods are popular (especially if you’re battling heartburn).
9. Vegetables. If you have vegetable cravings during pregnancy, consider yourself lucky! High in fiber and full of nutrients, veggies are a great addition to your pregnancy diet.
10. Sweet dairy. Milkshakes, ice cream, more ice cream, even more ice cream…

What is the most common pregnancy craving?

This one won’t surprise you:

11. Chocolate.

It’s not likely to be the caffeine that’s drawing you to chocolatey goodness, since there’s not that much in there (usually about 12mg of caffeine for a 60g serving of standard milk chocolate).

And it’s not like chocolate is exactly nutritionally beneficial for you or baby ‒ sure, dark chocolate has some minerals and antioxidants in it, but not enough to scarf it down and get everything you and baby need.

It might be a psychological thing — a 2014 study by the University of Albany suggests that moms-to-be might be craving foods “they may otherwise prohibit themselves from eating”. [2]

So it’s like being pregnant is a psychological free pass to eat whatever you want.

Craving chocolate during pregnancy might also be more of a thing in the US and UK, too — Peanut users from Australia put Vegemite up at the top of their list, and Mexican mamas-to-be tend to crave spicy food.

Weird pregnancy cravings (no, you're not alone)

Now onto the real fun — the “wait, you ate what?” part of pregnancy.

Cravings get creative when your body says, “screw it, let’s do something chaotic.” These are actual, real-deal cravings reported by mamas:

12. Ice: Yep, it’s common. And while crunching down on some ice may be a way to keep cool and hydrated, it’s a good idea to report this craving to your doctor. That’s because it can be a sign of iron deficiency anemia. [5]
13. Pickles: The combo of sweet and sour here can make this a particularly delectable treat. And the good news is that pickles can make a healthy pregnancy snack. Like anything, though, just make sure they’re not your only snack, especially because they can be high in salt.
14. Hot sauce: Delicious on so many dishes, yes. But be careful of this one, particularly if you’re experiencing heartburn and indigestion. It may only make the issue worse.
15. Lemons: Okay, we’ve already mentioned fruit on this list, but this one deserves a special spot of its own. If you’re craving lemons, one way to satisfy this craving is to pop lemon in your water. This can help you get the hydration you need while ticking the craving box at the same time.
16. Soda: It’s refreshing, it’s sweet, and the bubbles can ease nausea. But try not to go crazy on soda if that’s your pregnancy craving. It has a high sugar content, and some sodas also contain caffeine, which should be limited when pregnant.
17. Breakfast cereal: Another one of those cravings that can get specific — a bowl of dry cereal with the marshmallows picked out (or just a bowl of marshmallows, we won’t judge). Carbohydrates like this are quick to digest and can make you feel better if you’re nauseous — at least temporarily.
18. Peanut butter: On absolutely everything. PB is a good source of protein, and it satisfies that salty/sweet combination that seems to be a pregnancy favorite.
19. Ice cream: This one is more common later in pregnancy, which is when your baby uses up some of your calcium reserves to make their own bones stronger. [6]
20. Tuna fish: Sometimes on strange foods, like donuts. The fatty acids in oily fish are healthy during pregnancy. Just remember that tuna is one of the foods where you’re supposed to limit your intake since it can have high levels of mercury.
21. Watermelon. And, indeed, cantaloupe and honeydew. Melon is another food that’s great for keeping you hydrated when everything else turns your stomach, and it’s rich in vitamins too. [7]
22. Pineapple. Pineapple and pregnancy have a history. Some mamas eat a ton of this tropical fruit in their last few weeks of pregnancy to try to trigger labor. Others crave it in the first trimester (when it’s perfectly safe to eat).

What are some pregnancy craving combinations to try?

Chocolate? Good. Steak? Great.

But chocolate and steak?? … Maybe.

Welcome to the land of weird pregnancy craving combinations. We’ll start with a classic:

23. Pickles and ice cream. You may have heard this phrase as a stand-in for any kind of pregnancy craving. That’s because of a scene in the show I Love Lucy, where Lucy has a hankering for a papaya milkshake and dill pickle combo.
24. Toast and ice cream
25. Peanut butter and mayo on toast
26. Avocado and chocolate
27. Apples and ketchup
28. Peanut butter and hot sauce
29. Steak with Nutella

Real pregnancy cravings from real moms-to-be

We asked our Peanut community for their most extra cravings — and they delivered:

30. “A whole jar of pickle spears.” ‒ Janay
31. “Mike and Ikes.” ‒ Arizona
32. “Reeses Puffs. In my first trimester, I would wake twice a night and eat a bowl and if I didn't I would get super sick!” ‒ Emily
33. “Hot Cheetos with cream cheese, Korean BBQ, chocolate ice cream with bacon, Babybel cheese with whipped cream and oxtails.” ‒ Zakyah
34. “Cream cheese jalapeños wrapped in bacon.” ‒ Martha
35. “Eggos spread with almond butter and topped with clementine slices.” ‒ Megan
36. “Beef and Oreos.” ‒ Natalie
37. “Not really a craving, but I had a vivid dream a couple of weeks ago that I was continuously making and eating a grilled ham, peanut butter, and jelly sandwich.” ‒ Jennifer
38. “McDonald's fries and Burritos from Taco Bell.” ‒ Lacie
39. “Chocolate milk and jalapeno chips.” ‒ Carlee
40. “Spicy ramen and Slushees.” ‒ Cas
41. “Cold, not fully ripe peaches.” ‒ Raimonda
42. “Both pregnancies, salt and vinegar crisps, ice pops, weirdest craving ‒ saline from a drip.” ‒ Nicole
43. “Olives, banana peppers and chips!” ‒ Ana
44. “Chocolate ice cream with cinnamon and chili powder.” ‒ Paige
45. “Gatorade has been a favorite for me. I never liked it especially before.” ‒ Samantha
46. “All I want is a big bowl of mango covered in lemon and salt at all times.” ‒ Valeria
47. “Ice water! Like cold enough where it’s starting to freeze and get ice flakes in it.” ‒ Jeanna
48. “Any kind of junk food and chalk (never ate it but had a craving for it).” ‒ Cassy
49. “I ate breakfast for dinner for an entire month.” ‒ Tiffany
50. “McDonald’s diced onions, Chinese food and blue Slushies.” ‒ Nadia
51. “Wheat toast with mustard and avocado.” ‒ Megan
52. “Grapefruit, cream of wheat, and beef ribs.” ‒ Alexis
53. “Banana bread! I was baking at least 2 per week.” ‒ Merely
54. “Strawberries and lemonade.” ‒ Jennifer
55. “Lemons and spaghetti.” ‒ Kait
56. “Apple fritters. Every. Single. Day.” ‒ Courtney
57. “Chocolate milk. SO. MUCH. CHOCOLATE. MILK.” ‒ Skydr
58. “Jelly beans and frozen grapes.” ‒ Louise
59. “Nacho cheese. I would just eat spoons of it. I remember going to the movies by myself just to eat a lot of it in the dark so no one would notice.” ‒ Samara
60. “Peanut butter, Nutella and cheese sandwiches.” ‒ Maryanne
61. “Cocktail sauce!” ‒ Lindsay
62. “Banana bread with cheese.” ‒ Abby
63. “Whipped cream on toast.” ‒ Andrea
64. “Tomatoes... Ate them by the plateful covered in black pepper and salt.” ‒ Bee
65. “Carrot cake!” ‒ Sarah
66. “Sparkling water ‒ from the outset and right through pregnancy.” ‒ Elis
67. “Spaghetti with avocado.” ‒ Amor
68. “Oatmeal raisin cookies and clam chowder, which was crazy, because I hated those things before pregnancy but my partner loved them.” ‒ Angie
69. “Peanut M&Ms. ‒ Audi
70. “Pickles and popcorn.” ‒ Sarah
71. “Peanut butter was a huge craving, just ate it straight out of the jar!” ‒ Cortney
72. “Pickles and liquid cheese.” ‒ Becca
73. “Pineapple with heavy cream over it.” ‒ Courtney
74. “Peanut butter and sliced onion sandwiches.” ‒ Carms
75. “Hear me out: A fried egg sandwich with cheese, but French toast as the bread. Dipped in syrup. I had one almost every day while I was pregnant!” ‒ Savannah
76. “Blueberries on cheese pizza, but because we were out of pineapple.” ‒ Sierra
77. “Pickles in gravy.” ‒ Paris
78. “Frozen Malteasers.” ‒ Christine
79. “Baked potato with cream cheese, chives, and topped with popcorn. But we didn’t have potatoes, so I made Mac and cheese topped with popcorn instead. It was so satisfying!” ‒ Elle
80. “Cut up avocados with milk.” ‒ Aureliana
81. “Gravy and pasta.” ‒ Libby

You might also like: 228 Food Baby Names: Sweet, Spicy, and Totally On Trend

Weird non-food cravings (yes, it’s a thing)

If you’re drawn to things like:

82. Soil
83. Chalk
84. Rubber
85. Clay
86. Paper
87. Ice (in excess)

That might be pica, a condition where people crave non-nutritive substances. It's more common during pregnancy than you’d think and often linked to iron or zinc deficiency. [8]

It’s super important to mention these cravings to your doctor. Even if you don’t act on them, having support can help — and prevent any risk to you or baby.

What do pregnancy cravings mean?

Sometimes, your cravings may reflect a need your body’s trying to meet:

• Craving ice? Might signal iron deficiency anemia. [8]
• Salty cravings? Could be tied to hydration or electrolyte imbalances. [9]
• Red meat? Possibly a need for more iron or protein.
• Dairy? Calcium, baby.
• Chocolate? Could be emotional comfort, or maybe just… chocolate.

If your cravings are really intense or come with other symptoms (like fatigue or dizziness), bring them up at your next prenatal check-in.

What to avoid — even if you’re craving it

Some things are better left off your plate:

🚫 Raw meat, fish, or eggs

🚫 Unpasteurized cheese or dairy

🚫 High-mercury fish (like some tuna)

🚫 Alcohol

🚫 Excess caffeine

🚫 Weird non-food items (again, chalk is not a snack)

👉 Get the full rundown here: 19 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

How to handle your cravings, guilt-free

Here’s the thing: you’re growing a whole human. If ever there was a time to not feel guilty about what your body wants, it’s now.

Cravings are normal. Food rules can take a back seat. And while you don’t have to go full “eat the entire cake because baby said so,” you also don’t need to spiral over a second (or third) cookie.

Here’s how to ride the craving wave without the guilt trip:

• Balance it out: Had a donut for breakfast? Cool. That doesn’t mean you’ve “ruined” your day. Pregnancy isn’t a food punishment game. Grab a handful of berries later, throw some spinach in your lunch — it’s all about the bigger picture. No food is “bad,” and you’re not “bad” for eating it.
• Get creative: If your cravings are veering into snack-gremlin territory, try mixing things up with ingredients that actually do something for your body. Want salty and sweet? Peanut butter on banana, salted dark chocolate almonds, or popcorn with cinnamon can hit the spot. Sometimes it’s just about tricking your brain into feeling satisfied (without dipping pickles in Nutella… again).
• Listen to your body: There’s a difference between a fun craving and your body waving a nutritional red flag. If you’re obsessing over ice, chalk, or red meat when you’ve never liked it before, check in with your midwife or doctor. It could be your body's way of saying "Hey, I need iron!" or "Please, for the love of all things holy, give me some protein.”
• Connect with others: Half the joy of pregnancy cravings is talking about them. Seriously — nothing bonds mamas faster than confessing your obsession with peanut butter pickles. Join forums, text your friends, or hop onto Peanut to share the wild, the weird, and the strangely wonderful. You might even get some new ideas (or at least someone to validate your need for nacho cheese at 9am).

Cravings: Because baby said so.

Whether you’re into chocolate-dipped bacon or can’t stop thinking about lemon wedges, your pregnancy cravings are valid, delicious (sometimes), and nothing to feel weird about.

This is a temporary season where your taste buds go off the rails — and honestly, sometimes it’s hilarious. Embrace the cravings, trust your gut (literally), and know that one day you’ll look back and laugh at the time you ate peanut butter with a spoon in the dark.

Need more support? Head over to Peanut to swap stories with other mamas going through the same weird, wonderful cravings.

You’ve got this. 💛