Does Food Taste Different When Pregnant?

Pregnancy has a lot to answer for when it comes down to symptoms. It can literally disrupt everything from your toileting frequency to the taste of your favorite meal. You are not losing your mind thinking, ‘does food taste different when pregnant?’ In fact, your taste buds are also whipped up into the hormone frenzy like any part of your body.

Does Food Taste Different When Pregnant?

Food tasting different is normal during pregnancy, and it happens due to the body’s hormone changes.

Does food taste different when you are pregnant? Dysgeusia is commonly known for the metallic taste in your mouth when pregnant. It’s a less favorable reaction to the hormones flooding your body. It may not be your nausea to blame when your favorite meal goes to waste because it is also known to alter the taste of foods as well as make things more bitter or bland.

Pregnancy and Your TasteBuds

One of the not so fun symptoms of pregnancy is having a horrid metallic taste in your mouth. Yup, that’s right you may find that your most desirable meal of all time has turned a bit sour leaving you hungry and annoyed.

Known as Dysgeusia you may feel as if you now know what it’s like to suck on a penny. Whilst you determine whether you are filling your mouth with pennies in your sleep take a moment to consider do things taste different when you’re pregnant.

Is It Normal For Food To Taste Different When Pregnant?

Meal times can be hard when pregnant, whether it’s nausea rearing its ugly head or your food just doesn’t taste right you can be assured that you are not going insane.

Does food taste different when pregnant? A common symptom of pregnancy is having a distinguished yet disgusting taste in your mouth. Your taste buds haven’t packed up and gone on holiday, in fact, they are responding to your hormones and as a result, giving you that nasty taste.

In a recent study, it was found that a huge 93% of women found a change in their taste during pregnancy so I can definitely confirm that it is completely normal to notice a change in the way your food tastes.

What is Dysgeusia?

Dysgeusia is the scientific name that leaves the bad taste in your mouth quite literally. The hormone that is responsible for this is estrogen.

Estrogen levels fluctuate throughout pregnancy meaning that your taste can too, coupled with a nose as sensitive as a bloodhound and you may feel one step away from being a multi talented superhero. Well personally I think all expectant moms are, they create life from multiplying cells, there’s nothing more super than that right?

As your estrogen levels settle so will your symptoms meaning mealtimes can be enjoyable and truly desired.

When Does Food Start to Taste Different When Pregnant?

Identifying when your food may begin to taste weird is hard to tell. Every woman is different and every pregnancy is unique so how early Dysgeusia starts totally depends on your hormones.

You may expect your taste to change within two weeks of being pregnant as this is the prime time for your hormones to be in full party mode.

Generally, as with many other pregnancy symptoms, it can calm down in the second trimester as your hormones will settle but you may expect it to return sometimes with a vengeance as you hit the final hurdle in your third trimester.

As with any pregnancy symptoms you may or may not suffer from Dysgeusia. This has no reflection on what’s going on inside or about your hormone level. If you aren’t a sufferer then count yourself as one of the lucky ones.

Tips To Help

Dysgeusia as we know is very common yet there’s not much intel regarding tips to overcome the symptom. With nausea and sickness, they say ginger can help, frequent headaches try a cold compress on your forehead yet if you are suffering from Dysgeusia tips to remedy the foul taste aren’t as well known.

It can be hard enough to attempt to eat if you have pregnancy sickness but the sheer thought of everything tasting like poison isn’t always the most appealing at meal times. But we know you have to eat so we have gathered the top tips to help you overcome your taste issues and put your buds to the test.

Sour is Significant

Eating foods marinated in pickle juice, vinegar or soy sauce can boost your salvation production washing away the horrid metallic taste. Any food with an acidic nature can work. Try drinking lemon infused water or lemonade. It could be the deal breaker for meal times.

Sweet yet Salty

The combination of sweet and salty foods is becoming popular but during pregnancy, it can be the sweet side of things that triggers your Dysgeusia. If you want a sweet treat try adding a pinch of salt to help. Alternatively, you could stick to savory snacks instead.

Oral hygiene

Brushing your teeth twice daily is important but when you’re pregnant this is a vital rule to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Brushing regularly can freshen your breath and help balance your mouth Ph levels.

Ready steady Rinse

Alongside brushing your teeth you can opt for a ph balancing rinse. Using a baking soda or salt concoction can also act as a neutralizer and keep that pinging palate fresh. Typically you should add ¼ teaspoon of baking soda or a teaspoon of salt.

Blame your vitamins

Prenatal meds are pivotal for you and your baby however some brands can worsen symptoms of Dysgeusia. If you can’t stand the taste any longer your doctor can recommend alternatives.

Can I Prevent This Horrid Taste?

Sadly prevention isn’t the case in this instance. Just like morning sickness you can’t stop it, when it happens you just have to go with the flow and respect it’s a side effect of your body being in baby making mode.

Knowing the tips to help relieve your symptoms can help and after reading this article at least you are mentally prepared and understand it’s all a part of the pregnancy process.

Disaster of a Diet

I totally understand that the last thing you may want to do is fill your gob with foods that will turn your stomach and who are we kidding in the early stages of pregnancy your diet may as well go out the window. With sickness and your mouth tasting like you have licked the sidewalk, your appetite may subside for a while.

In these early days eat what you can keep down. Chances are if you can tolerate the taste and smell it may stay put.

If you are concerned about your diet in any way, always consult your doctor, they can ensure your baby and you are getting essential vitamins.

Wrapping Up

The only answer to Does food taste different when pregnant is Yes.

Although it’s not the food per se, it is your taste buds that have changed. Making the most desirable dishes seem rancid and foul tasting.

Dysgeusia isn’t harmful but it can interfere with your happiness, energy levels, and also your diet. Symptoms will ease as you progress through your pregnancy and you can expect normal tongue function to resume after you have your baby.

Does Food Taste Different When Pregnant? – Yes, Here’s Why