Pregnancy is an interesting time in a woman’s life when she gets to know her body in a whole new way. The body goes through some unique changes and some unexpected things happen on that epic 9 month long journey. Amongst the new tricks that the body starts throwing out there during pregnancy, cravings are always a fun curve ball for pregnant women to try and keep up with.

For whatever biological or scientific reason, pregnant women crave certain foods to sustain the life of their baby. What these cravings are, however, is where things start to get interesting. There can be some really bizarre cravings out there and sometimes a food that a woman hated before getting pregnant can become her number one desire.

So what is it that makes these cravings really happen? Of course, biology has a big role to play, but just how much does culture influence what women crave? The cravings of pregnant women around the world changes and varies a lot. What does that say about the cultural upbringing, or about how a certain culture feeds their pregnant women!

This list is by no means extensive and does not intend to create stereotypes. Rather it takes a look at some of the foods that are most craved in different country, and perhaps some of the reasons why pregnant women in a specific region are going crazy for certain food.

12 Women In The US Want Cold Ice

As things heat up during pregnancy, it isn’t all too surprising that the body starts craving something cold. However, for many women who have never had the desire to eat just plain old ice before, these cubes of frozen water become insanely appealing during pregnancy. This is mostly common on the US as well as other parts of the western world.

The reason the body heats up so much is due to the increased blood flow around the body. Basically, the heart is now pumping blood for two as the baby grows and demands some of that nutritious red stuff. So with more blood flowing around the veins, the higher the temperature rises inside the body. Therefore, some cool, crunchy ice sounds like a great idea to many pregnant women!

11 Salty And Sweets For The Aussies

The pregnant ladies down under aren’t too fussy what they eat during pregnancy, as long as there are saltines and sweet delights waiting when the cravings really hit. One Australian classic food is vegemite. This spread made from yeast extract that looks like black tar is super salty and really hits the spot for many Aussie women during pregnancy. The rest of the world thinks it’s disgusting, but if it works, it works!

As for sweets, chocolate is hard to pass up. Cadbury chocolate is a big seller in Australia and for pregnant women, those blocks of goodness can hardly be eaten fast enough. Chocolate is filled with deliciousness. More so, pregnancy is like a get out of a jail free card with eating chocolate as it gets to be consumed guilt free! Hey, the baby wants it!

10 Give The Indians Some Papaya

Although in some cases papaya is considered a big old no-no during pregnancy, it doesn’t stop women in India craving it like it’s no one’s business. There is some school of thought that suggests that papaya can cause illness to the baby or even bring on a miscarriage. However, with modern science and research, it has been found that this once ‘forbidden fruit’ can be enjoyed during pregnancy.

So now that gives way to the pregnant ladies in India craving this fresh and juicy fruit to go all out. Even better, this tropical fruit grows plentiful in India. There are also certain health benefits of it, such as the strong amount of Vitamin A and C as well as the magnesium it is jam packed with that does wonders during pregnancy.

9 Shellfish In China

There is a lot of confusion out there regarding if it is safe for women to eat fish, particularly shellfish, during pregnancy. While seafood provides a lot of good stuff, such as Omega 3 and fatty acids, it also contains mercury which might run a risk to the baby. This is the line of thought in the western world, but it hasn’t stopped Chinese women craving shellfish during their pregnancy.

Each culture has their own methodology and understanding of what is good or bad to eat during pregnancy. Although most western guides on pregnancy will say to steer away from shellfish, this isn’t as prevalent in the eastern world. Plus, with the information and research constantly changing and giving new advice, it is hard to keep up. Let them enjoy their shellfish, if the craving desires it!

8 Ginger Stuff Is Happening In Vietnam

Given that alongside pregnancy cravings comes morning sickness which makes the food come straight back up, ginger is an incredibly useful craving to have. Lucky for the Vietnamese, this is one of the greatest cravings. In fact, Vietnam has a lower recorded rate of morning sickness being a prevalent issue and who knows, perhaps this is one of the contributing reasons.

Ginger is a really practical craving because it eases heartburn and settles the stomach when it is feeling upset. It is largely used in Asian cultures, such as Vietnam, as an everyday cooking ingredient to add flavour to meals. It grows plentifully in Vietnam, which may also be why pregnant women here crave it so much. In other cultures, ginger ale, such as ginger flavoured fizzy drinks are largely recommended as a remedy for morning sickness.

7 Anything Craved In Mexico Should Be Eaten

Where the sun is warm all year round and the food is renowned to be delicious, can anyone really blame the Mexicans for encouraging their pregnant women to indulge in whatever it is they feel like eating? The culture here pretty much gives pregnant women a free for all card and says ‘just go for it’, not matter how bizarre or extensive the craving is.

However, there is one interesting taboo around food for pregnant women in Mexico. It is said that if a pregnant woman eats steelhead salmon, the child will be born with weak ankles. What's the correlation? Who knows. Where did this stem from in the culture? No one can be too sure. Pregnant women in Mexico just have to hope that a steak of steelhead salmon doesn’t crop up on their cravings!

6 Seaweed Soup In Korea

A traditional favourite in Korea is a steamy broth of seaweed soup. This is a common accompaniment to a main meal in everyday Korean dining. It is very salty with other flavours and spices that give it a real delicious kick, without being too overpowering.

As pregnant women tend to crave saltines and salted goods all around the world, it isn’t too surprising that Korean women love indulging in a few extra bowls of seaweed soup with a meal. The light nature of it makes it easy to digest and can also help settle the stomach if it is feeling upset by morning sickness. For Korean moms to be out there craving some seaweed soup, it really is a craving worth having to keep the stomach and salt levels happy in the body.

5 Purple Onion Beer In Guatemala

The topic of women drinking alcohol during pregnancy is one that raises a lot of debate and controversy. Some say a glass of red wine while carrying a child isn’t all that harmful, others say there is nothing worse a woman can do for the baby’s development. But what about beer made from purple onions? How many have considered this one before?

In Guatemala, many pregnant women have a craving for a cold drink of refreshing purple onion beer. This is something that is apparently craved more and more during the final stages of pregnancy. It is thought in the culture that drinking purple onion beer will result in a speedy delivery. So what exactly does purple onion beer taste like? You might just have to go to Guatemala and find out!

4 Raw Eggs Are A Delight In The Philippines

Somewhere along the line, raw eggs became something of a craving in the Philippines. Knocking back a raw egg each day during pregnancy isn’t entirely uncommon across this island nation, but of course not every single pregnant woman does it. Raw eggs have debatable health benefits, but there aren’t many negative side effects associated with eating a raw egg.

Interestingly enough, there is also a line of thought in the Filipino culture that says eating a raw egg will help to lubricate the vaginal passage for the birth of the baby. So perhaps this craving is also culturally influenced with this notion. It is is hard to tell whether it is, and how much truth there is to the idea of an egg making things slippery. Hey, if it helps the baby get out smoothly, why not!

3 Chocolate Makes Happy Babies In Finland

While chocolate makes just about any pregnant around the world happy and satisfied, it is especially true in Finland. There is more to this reasoning than just the fact that the Finnish make incredibly delicious and melt-in-your-mouth type chocolates, too!

Chocolate is a common craving just about anywhere around the globe, but in Finland it is particularly craved and indulged in. Within this culture, pregnant women are often encouraged to eat more chocolate and satisfy their craving. This is not just to appease the hormonal mood swings of a pregnant lady, but also because it is thought that eating chocolate during pregnancy will help produce a happy baby. You can’t argue with that logic! Either way, it is a winning situation. You get to eat chocolate, which makes you happy, and will hopefully make your baby happy when it is born!

2 The Brits Want Prawns And Seafood

Perhaps it is because the country is known and loved for its culture of fish and chips, but for whatever reason, pregnant women in England get a real hankering for some good old seafood. Apparently it is hard to pass up some prawns on the side and some salmon as a main when one is carrying a baby in England. Probably this craving intensifies two-fold if they take a trip to the coast during pregnancy!

Although eating seafood is questionable in western science due to the mercury levels in the fish, it can be hard to deny this craving. Of course, it isn’t something that should be indulged in excessive amounts, but perhaps if the craving is so intense in England, a bit of fish every now and then doesn’t hurt too much.

1 Cold Water Is Enough In Nigeria

In the gorgeous African country of Nigeria, there are many rich food traditions. Despite all the divine cuisine, pregnant women here tend to just crave a nice glass of refreshing cold water. This craving makes a lot of sense given that the climate here is rather hot all year round and water provides the best kind of relief from the heat.

If nothing else, at least a pregnant Nigerian woman is easy enough to please. Many homes in Nigeria also use old-school methods of refrigeration, such as keeping water stored in a clay pot under the ground. This means that the water is not only fresh and cool, but also influenced by the natural minerals and nutrients of the dirt surrounding it. This is a great way to keep the body healthy, the baby happy, and the toxins flushed through the pregnant body.

Sources: NYtimes.com, MatadorNetwork.com, KidSpot.com.au, Jezebel.com