Craving junk food during pregnancy? Know the silent downsides first
Published on: December 17, 2025 16:38 IST
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Image Source : Freepik1. It doesn’t really feed the baby: Junk food fills you up but doesn’t offer much in the way of nutrients. During pregnancy, the body needs iron, calcium, protein and folate, and heavily processed food simply doesn’t pull its weight.
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2. Blood sugar can swing more than you expect: Sugary and refined foods can cause sudden spikes and drops in blood sugar. Over time, this can increase the risk of gestational diabetes and leave you feeling drained rather than satisfied.
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3. It can make digestion harder: Pregnancy already slows digestion. Add greasy or ultra-processed food to the mix, and issues like acidity, bloating and constipation tend to show up more often than anyone would like.
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4. Extra salt can push blood pressure up: Many packaged snacks are quietly high in salt. Too much sodium can contribute to water retention and raised blood pressure, both of which need closer attention during pregnancy.
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5. It may affect healthy weight gain: Weight gain is expected, but junk food makes it easier to gain weight without gaining strength or nourishment. This can make pregnancy feel more tiring and recovery after birth slower.
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6. Cravings can become a habit: The more often junk food is eaten, the more the body asks for it. Over time, it can crowd out balanced meals that support energy, mood and overall wellbeing.