Top Food Cravings When Pregnant With a Girl Explained

Pregnancy cravings steering you towards sweets, fruits, and banana pudding?

Outside of winning the pregnancy cravings lottery, an irresistible pull towards sweet over savory comes with massive helpings of baby speculation. 🤔

But is there any truth to this tasty tale of food cravings when pregnant with a girl?

Let’s unwrap this confection of conjecture and facts.

In this article: 📝

What do you crave when pregnant with a girl?

So, the common belief is that if you’re craving sweets and fruits, you might be expecting a girl.

But here’s the thing: it’s a pretty common craving, with studies showing that almost 40% of pregnant women grow a sweet tooth during pregnancy.

And not all of these go on to have bouncing baby girls.

In fact, the need to eat sweets is part of a large body of unique food cravings that affect between 50 to 90% of pregnant women in the US.

We’re talking salty, spicy, and even sour foods.

And these cravings are on par with the very same cravings when on your period.

This suggests that cravings during pregnancy are influenced by various factors—hormonal changes, nutritional needs, and even emotional states.

Your baby’s biological sex, though? Not so much.

A heightened desire for foods like chocolate, ice cream, and all the carbs is more likely a response to the body’s changing nutritional needs or a result of altered taste and smell sensitivities during pregnancy.

So, that insatiable thirst for tangy orange juice or a fresh-baked carrot cake with all the cream could actually be your body’s way of seeking vitamin C.

Pregnancy cravings list for a girl

So what do you crave with a girl? You know, in case you want to join the fun before the big reveal (Moms on Peanut are right there with you).

Before we dive into the world’s tastiest food basket, it’s important to note each of these cravings reflects the body’s adaptive response to pregnancy.

Yes, they’re common among pregnant women, but they are not definitive indicators of having a girl:

1. Sweet treats 🍧

Craving an extra scoop of chocolate ice cream?

Your body might be on a mission for more calories and a bit of comfort.

These cravings can also be a response to hormonal changes that affect taste and mood.

2. Citrus fruits 🍊

As we mentioned above, if you’re suddenly fancying citrus fruits, it’s possibly your body’s clever way of flagging down some much-needed Vitamin C.

Besides, their refreshing taste can be a real game-changer when you’re dealing with the ups and downs of pregnancy palates.

3. Dairy products 🧀

If yogurt and milk are suddenly on the top of your grocery list, it could be your body gearing up for a calcium boost.

Your body usually has enough calcium reserves to ensure you and your baby have strong bones—that’s down to an increase in absorption.

There’s just something inherently comforting about a bowl of yogurt or a slice of cheese…

4. Carbohydrates 🥐

Joining team carb?

It’s not just about satisfying hunger; bread and pasta may be your body’s strategy for quick and efficient energy.

And studies show low-carb diets during pregnancy can increase the risk of neural tube defects—so maybe skip the keto.

Opting for whole-grain options can be a win-win, offering essential nutrients and keeping you energized for longer.

5. Spicy foods 🌶

You’ll find this on pregnancy craving lists for boys, too.

A newfound love for all things spicy could be your taste buds craving excitement.

It’s like your palate is on an adventure, especially useful if you’ve been experiencing those days where everything else tastes as exciting as cardboard.

How to tell if you’re having a girl?

While the fun and folklore of nub theory and fetal heart rate can add a sprinkle of excitement to your pregnancy, when it comes to accurate sex determination, science is your bestie.

Ultrasounds and noninvasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) are the go-to methods for getting the real deal on whether you’re having a girl:

• Anatomy scan: Ultrasounds are like a window into your womb. Anatomy scans around the 18-22-week mark can be pretty accurate for gender determination, provided your little one is in a cooperative position! You may even be able to find out as early as 14 weeks.
  
• Noninvasive prenatal tests (NIPTs): NIPT testing is a breakthrough in prenatal care. Done as early as 10 weeks into your pregnancy, they involve a simple blood test that examines fetal DNA in the mother’s blood to determine the baby’s sex with a high degree of accuracy.

If you’re fresh at the beginning of the pregnancy journey and a first-time mom too, there’s little harm in comparing old wives’ tales on Peanut.

Exchanging notes on morning sickness, nub positions, and ring test results—call it good bonding with your future bump buddy.

Just keep in mind these are more about tradition and fun rather than factual prediction.

Is there a diet to conceive a girl?

The internet is awash with theories about how to conceive a girl, from sex positions to loading up on seafood and leafy greens. 🥗

Out of all the sources, the top food tips for having a girl include:

• Eating more magnesium-rich foods
  
• Upping sources of calcium
  
• Introducing more potassium in the diet
  
• Lowering your sodium intake

And a 2010 study showed that in those who followed the above fertility diet strictly—alongside timing methods—81% conceived a girl.

For those who played more fast and loose, that number dropped to 30%.

Now, before you start tweaking your meals to sway the odds, let’s sprinkle some scientific seasoning on these claims.

This research isn’t exactly conclusive—more is definitely needed.

And we also can’t overlook how big a role chromosomes play in sex determination, specifically the combination of X and Y chromosomes from both parents.

Dietary changes, no matter how well-intended, don’t necessarily have the power to influence this chromosomal interplay any more than family history can.

How to ensure you have a girl

While many dream of choosing their baby’s sex the reality is nature holds the cards.

Natural conception means leaving it entirely up to a 50/50 chance that the sperm that fertilizes the egg carries an X (female) chromosome.

There are specific medical procedures, such as Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD) used with IVF (In Vitro Fertilization), that can determine the sex of a baby before implantation.

But these methods are typically used for avoiding hereditary diseases and as a tool for sex determination and are subject to ethical debates and legal regulations, varying greatly from country to country.

The pH levels in the female reproductive tract, specific sexual positions, or timing intercourse based on ovulation cycles have all been touted as methods to influence gender, but the scientific evidence to back these claims is sparse.

Really, short of medical interventions, like pre-implantation genetic diagnosis alongside IVF, there’s no surefire way to ensure a girl naturally.

So what can you do?

Embrace the unpredictability of your baby’s sex as an exciting part of the journey and not something to be disappointed by.

Yes, it’s natural for parents to have preferences or curiosities about their baby’s possible future identity, but the most reliable approach is to let nature take its course.

Pregnancy cravings are common, but they’re not fortune cookies.

Keep them balanced but honored, and enjoy the variety (and the snacks).

And when it comes to the real scoop on whether it’s a girl or a boy, better to trust the ultrasounds and NIPTs.