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Pregnancy Symptom: Food Aversions

Food Aversions

What It Feels Like

Certain foods (and smells) will suddenly illicit a very strong and negative response from you. Foods that you previously enjoyed or that didn't bother you now make you want to leave the room because you can't stand the thought of eating it or smelling it. 

Common food aversions include coffee, eggs, poultry, beef, milk and dairy product, and green veggies. 

Your food aversions should subside or calm down a bit by the second trimester, but food will probably still taste a bit off for the entire pregnancy due to those hormones. 

Why do you become averse to certain types of food?

As your hormone levels change, the chemical content of your blood changes, which is often reflected in your saliva. This causes the taste in your mouth to change so foods will taste different than before. 

Your sense of smell also becomes more acute and everyday smells can make you nauseous. 

How To Manage Food Aversions

  • Leave the room if the smell or sight of a food is making you sick.
  • Cook with the exhaust fan going. 
  • Cooking with a microwave emits less odor. 


You don't have to eat foods that you're averse to, but you do need to eat a balanced nutritious meal that makes up for the nutrients you're lacking.

  • Eat tofu, beans, legumes, quinoa, edamame and nuts for protein. 
  • Try mashing up meat and putting it into sauces, such as spaghetti. 
  • Eat yogurt and cheese instead of milk. 
  • Get calcium from leafy greens, orange juice fortified with calcium, sesame seeds, or salmon. 
  • Eat carrots and yam, or fresh fruit, instead of green veggies.


There is generally no risk to your baby as long as you eat nutritious food that makes up for the missing nutrients. 


Food aversion by Pregnancy Week


Read about other common pregnancy symptoms>>

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