When do pregnancy cravings start?

Pregnancy cravings can occur at any point during pregnancy, even as early as the second month. Hormone changes are one of the reasons for pregnancy cravings.

There are several other theories about why pregnancy cravings occur. One of the most widely accepted is that cravings are a way to encourage a pregnant woman to eat the nutrients she needs for a healthy pregnancy.

In some cases, eating the food a woman craves during pregnancy isn't safe. If someone is craving laundry starch, dirt, clay, or other non-food items, she needs to contact a doctor immediately. She might have a condition known as pica, which signals a nutritional deficiency that can affect both her and the unborn baby.