Health & Pregnancy

Here's to Pickles and Ice Cream

Aversions: The Body's Natural Defense? continued...

They also worry that if women give in to aversions without some thought about their overall nutritional intake, they may unwittingly be shortchanging themselves on important nutrients. Many vegetables, for example, contain folic acid and iron, which are important during pregnancy.

"One important, although unusual, aversion is milk," says Pitkin. "Rather than being an aversion, it might actually be a lactose intolerance, and if that's the case, then [we'd] recommend lactose-free milk ... since calcium is important during pregnancy."

The bottom line: Don't let your natural instincts overtake your good sense.

"Eating is one of life's more pleasant things," Pitkin says. "It isn't medicine or a treatment. If you want it, have it, as long as your diet provides for that sort of thing. And if you can get your husband to do something he might not otherwise do -- like those midnight grocery store runs -- then sure, go ahead!"