Welcome to the wild world of the top 10 grossest cravings that show up once a baby bump starts to bloom. After surviving the nausea‑filled first trimester, many pregnant people enter a second‑trimester phase where the body’s appetite turns into a bizarre food‑hunt. Whether it’s a sudden urge for something that looks like garden soil or a craving for straight‑up vinegar, the list below captures the most eyebrow‑raising, tongue‑tingling, and occasionally hazardous desires that expectant mothers have reported.
Top 10 Grossest Cravings Explained
10 Dirt
Feeling an inexplicable pull toward the earth itself is more common than you might think. The brain can send signals that say, “Hey, maybe a handful of soil would be a good snack,” but the reality is that munching on soil is a risky business.
This phenomenon falls under the umbrella of pica, a condition where individuals crave non‑nutritive items such as ice, starches, paper, clay, laundry detergent, charcoal, and, yes, dirt. The term “pica” comes from the Latin word for magpie, a bird known for eating just about anything—much like a pregnant person’s adventurous palate. Researchers suspect that iron‑deficiency may be a driving factor behind these odd cravings.
Studies suggest that somewhere between 27 % and 68 % of pregnant people experience pica at some point. Consuming soil or other chemically‑laden substances can introduce toxins into the body, endangering both mother and child. So, while the image of someone scooping up a bag of Miracle‑Gro is undeniably comedic, the health hazards are very real.
9 Vinegar
Vinegar is a kitchen staple: it cleans windows, eliminates odors from Tupperware, makes vinaigrettes, and turns cucumbers into pickles. Yet, you’ll rarely hear of anyone sipping it straight—unless they’re at a midnight bar doing a pickle‑back. Pregnant friends, however, sometimes swap the whiskey for a swig of pure vinegar.
It sounds downright odd, but many expectant mothers turn to vinegar as a natural remedy for persistent morning sickness. While nausea often eases after the first trimester, some women endure it for the entire pregnancy. Because many over‑the‑counter anti‑nausea pills aren’t recommended during pregnancy, they explore holistic options, with apple cider vinegar ranking high on the list.
Apple cider vinegar helps neutralize stomach acidity, balancing pH levels and soothing that queasy feeling. Most people dilute it with water and a drizzle of honey to make it more palatable, but the hardcore cravings involve drinking it undiluted. Some even crave the brine from a pickle jar purely for its tangy punch, no nausea required—just pure, unfiltered bravery.
8 Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Dipped in Lemon Meringue Pie
Believe it or not, this combo isn’t a random internet meme. One pregnant acquaintance confessed to dunking the fiery dust of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos into a smooth lemon‑meringue pie. The craving splits into two distinct layers: the burn of capsaicin and the sweet, airy bliss of meringue.
Both heat and sugar trigger a release of endorphins—the body’s natural feel‑good chemicals. When hormones are constantly in flux, any surge of endorphins feels like a mini‑celebration, even if it comes from a bowl of processed snack dust and a sugary dessert. The downside? Spicy foods can upset a sensitive stomach, especially in later pregnancy, so the safer route may be to stick with just the pie.
7 Onions
Ever wondered what biting into a raw onion feels like? Some pregnant people have taken the plunge, crunching down on a raw globe just to satisfy a craving. While the idea may trigger a gag reflex, the craving itself isn’t inherently harmful.
Onions pack a nutritional punch: they’re rich in quercetin, a flavonoid that supports the immune system and reduces inflammation. They also supply vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, and other essential nutrients that pregnant bodies need for healthy development.
The trade‑off is the notorious onion breath that lingers long after the snack is gone—no amount of brushing can fully erase it. Still, if you catch someone munching on an onion like an apple, know they’re getting a quirky, vitamin‑rich snack, albeit with a lingering odor.
6 Hot Dogs Out of the Package
Cold, straight‑out‑the‑package hot dogs might seem like a quick protein fix, especially when cravings demand iron, B‑vitamins, and a bit of comfort food. The idea of a chilly, slimy wiener can be oddly appealing during pregnancy.However, eating a “raw” hot dog is a big no‑no. Pregnant people are advised to avoid certain foods because they can harbor Listeria, a bacterium that poses serious risks to both mother and baby. Hot dogs, even when pre‑cooked, can become contaminated during processing, packaging, or storage.
Because Listeria can thrive in deli meats, the safest approach is to heat hot dogs until they’re steaming hot before consumption. Skipping this step could expose a pregnant person to a dangerous infection, making the craving more trouble than it’s worth.
5 Mayonnaise on Everything
Mayonnaise—some love it, some find it downright repulsive. Expectant mothers who develop a craving for the creamy, egg‑based spread often spread it on everything from fries to pizza, turning ordinary foods into a slippery, indulgent treat.
The texture and richness can feel comforting, and the calorie boost helps meet the extra 500 calories per day that pregnancy demands. Moreover, mayonnaise is a surprisingly good source of vitamin K, delivering about 25 % of the daily requirement in a single serving, which aids blood clotting and can support a smoother labor.
While the idea of spoon‑fuls of mayo may raise eyebrows, it’s generally safe (as long as it’s commercially prepared) and can serve as a quick way to add healthy fats and essential nutrients to a pregnant diet.
4 A Mashed Potato Sundae
Imagine a bowl of fluffy mashed potatoes topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce—a sweet‑savory sundae that sounds both delightful and bizarre. This indulgent mash‑and‑sweet combo appears in a niche cookbook aimed at satisfying odd pregnancy cravings.
Mashed potatoes are a common go‑to for many expectant mothers because they’re easy on a queasy stomach, provide a solid carbohydrate base, and contain vitamin C and B‑complex nutrients that support fetal development.
The added caramel sauce delivers a hefty sugar hit, which can offset some of the nutritional benefits. Nonetheless, when cravings strike, a little sugary indulgence can feel like a well‑earned treat during pregnancy.
3 A Cottage Cheese Swirl
One Instagram post that went viral featured a cup of cottage cheese swirled with bright yellow mustard. While it might look like a culinary experiment gone awry, the components each bring their own nutritional strengths.
Cottage cheese is a calcium powerhouse, offering a valuable source of the mineral essential for building the baby’s bones and teeth. Pregnant individuals are advised to aim for at least 1,000 mg of calcium daily, and cottage cheese can help meet that goal.
2 Mustard
Mustard may seem like an odd standalone craving, but many pregnant people reach for the tangy condiment straight from the jar. Though it may appear simple, mustard seeds are packed with minerals such as iron, copper, and manganese, all of which support immune health.
Additionally, mustard contains sulfur, a natural antibacterial agent, and offers anti‑inflammatory benefits. It also provides folate—a B‑vitamin crucial for brain development in the fetus—making it a surprisingly functional addition to a pregnancy diet.
Adding a dollop of mustard to meals can help supplement folate intake, complementing the prenatal vitamins that doctors often prescribe.
1 Hot Sauce and Milk
Picture the iconic scene from “Anchorman” where Ron Burgundy chugs a half‑gallon of milk after a scorching day. Now swap the scorching day for a craving for hot sauce, and you’ve got a pregnant woman balancing fiery heat with a calming glass of milk.
One forum user described her ritual of grabbing handfuls of hot‑sauce packets to douse everything, then drinking copious amounts of milk to soothe the burn. The capsaicin from the sauce releases endorphins, while the milk supplies calcium and fat, creating a satisfying, if unconventional, flavor combo.
Even though the mental image of hot sauce swirling with milk might make you wince, the pairing can deliver both a spicy kick and essential nutrients that a pregnant body may be yearning for.