Ben & Jerry’s Babies: Why Pregnant Women Crave Our Ice Cream (2024)

FAQs

Why do pregnant women crave ice cream? ›

While the cause is not quite clear, some theories suggest pregnancy hormones can heighten sense of smell and taste, creating both cravings and aversions. Other theories suggest that it's the body's way of compensating for deficiencies – craving ice cream when you need calcium, fruit for vitamin D and so on.

Pregnant women craving ice cream can still have their Ben & Jerry's! All of the milk, cream, as well as the eggs used in our products are pasteurized during the production process. Also, add-ins such as raw cookie dough or brownie batter found in our product are made with pasteurized eggs.

Pregnancy cravings explained

We surveyed expecting moms on BabyCenter, and almost 40% said they mostly craved sweets. Slightly fewer (33%) chose salty snacks. Those who craved spicy cuisine came in third (17%). Trailing (at 10%) were those who craved sour foods like citrus fruit, green apples, and sour candy.

The American Pregnancy Association agrees, and now Nightfood is formally recommended as the single most appropriate ice cream for moms-to-be and their cravings.”

It's best for pregnant (and nonpregnant) people to enjoy ice cream as a treat, not as a dietary staple. That's because most ice cream is high in added sugar and calories. Consuming too many sugary, calorie-laden treats isn't good for anyone's health.

All of the milk, cream, and eggs used in our products are pasteurized during the production process. Pasteurized eggs are also used in all of our add-ins, such as raw cookie dough or brownie batter.

However, if you're concerned, you may want to check with your midwife. NHS Wales says that soft ice cream is safe to eat in pregnancy, provided it's made with pasteurised milk and eggs. All McDonald's dairy products are pasteurised, so it should be fine for you to tuck into a McFlurry.

While Doggie Desserts frozen dog treats were developed specifically for pups and are not labeled for human enjoyment, they do use the same ingredients that you'd find in our flavors made for humans. So they are perfectly safe for you to taste, as long as you like pumpkin and pretzels!

What happens if you ignore pregnancy cravings? ›

What Happens If You Ignore Pregnancy Cravings? If you're consuming a well-balanced diet and eating the right amount of calories, ignoring cravings is unlikely to be harmful. Some studies suggest that frequently giving in to cravings, especially for fast foods and sweets, can lead to excess weight gain during pregnancy.

Some women report experiencing cravings as early as five weeks into pregnancy. Cravings tend to get stronger during your second trimester (months 3-6) and usually disappear by the beginning of your third trimester (six months onwards)2.

Let us assuage your fears: Yes, you can! All Ben & Jerry's flavors are 100% safe to eat during pregnancy, including Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and our Cookie Dough Chunks.

If a pregnant woman experiences ice cravings, she should consult a doctor right away, because the pagophagia can indicate anemia. The doctor will order a blood test and may prescribe iron supplements.

So if you really want to indulge in a soft-serve ice cream or thickshake, ask if the dispenser is pasteurised regularly. Otherwise, stick to hard-frozen ice cream and gelato to satisfy your cravings. But avoid homemade ice cream unless you're sure it doesn't contain raw or undercooked egg.

Craving ice cream might mean that you need additional calcium in your diet. Choose one half cup of low-fat frozen yogurt, low-fat milk, or low-fat ricotta cheese with a drizzle of honey to satisfy your urge, and you'll gain the calcium without consuming excessive calories and fat.

For example, scientists suggest that people's tendency to crave sweets during pregnancy may be due to the increased calorie needs of the body during pregnancy. Research conducted by Dr.

Pregnancy craving for spicy food is safe for your baby, so you don't have to worry too much. In fact, some research has shown you could be influencing your baby's taste buds with the foods you eat during your pregnancy, and they might show a preference for certain familiar flavors later.