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To ask for help in substituting a cheaper pregnancy craving before I bankrupt us?

142 replies

LeapingUpstream · 23/05/2024 12:44

This is possibly the most ridiculous problem I have ever considered bringing to Mumsnet, but I'm actually at my wit's end: I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and for the last fortnight have been absolutely obsessed with smoked salmon. It's not something I usually eat or even particularly like, but now it's all I want, in vast quantities, at every meal.

Tried cheating with smoked mackerel yesterday and it was definitely not an acceptable alternative.

Assuming this means I'm lacking omega 3 or something so have started a supplement, but it doesn't seem to have helped. Frantically hoping someone can suggest something that might hit similar taste/ texture spots? I can't think of anything and it's driving me mad.

Or, failing that, how do I get rid of the craving!? Even rationing myself the current rate of consumption is not sustainable, but I'm literally catching myself daydreaming about it. Woke up at 5am today thinking about it, and ended up buying a packet on the way back from the school run and eating it for breakfast 😳. Husband and I are both wfh today and he's just offered to make bacon sandwiches for lunch... all I can think is that smoked salmon ones would be much better. Particularly if he gave me all the smoked salmon and ate the nasty, non-salmony bacon himself 😂.

Last pregnancy I just wanted cheese and onion crisps, but much less strongly than this, (and besides, I could have eaten an Aldi multipack a day for the whole forty weeks for less than I've already spent on salmon 😫) and in my first pregnancy I didn't have any cravings, so it's not something I've ever tried to deal with before!

Help!

OP posts:
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dottiedodah · 25/05/2024 09:00

Thepassageoftime Undergoing chemo at present so similar restrictions re food /drink .3 teas a day.I am limiting myself to 3 decaff teas! Smoked salmon is not safe either .Also too mich vit A is also dangerous to pregnant ladies!

Persipan · 25/05/2024 08:43

Roselilly36 · 23/05/2024 12:51

Tinned salmon, probably not a lot cheaper but easier to store, tuna? I know pregnancy cravings are really bizarre, with DS1 it was Burger King burgers, I don’t even particularly like burgers, but they had to be Burger King no others and honeydew melon, had at least two in the fridge as I was terrified of running out. With DS2 it was broccoli, couldn’t get enough of it, not something I liked before, 21 years on I still like it, but not to the same degree and can’t remember the last time I had a BK burger, a good few years ago.

With that whole thing of 'what would your child's name be if they were named after the food you craved while pregnant with them?' it always entertains me that my son's name would be Rebel Whopper.

Mynaddmawr · 25/05/2024 07:59

It's a bit of a faff to make, but vegan sushi with tomato sashimi! Same texture as salmon and so fresh and gorgeous 😍

Oh its not exactly cheap as you'd have to buy a sushi rolling mat if you don't have one, nori and sushi rice, sushi rice vinegar etc but it takes quite a long time so that would put you off nailing it on a daily basis 😉 good luck with the rest of your pregnancy!

Loopytiles · 25/05/2024 07:56

Work on ways to ignore / not follow cravings. I have eating issues normally, mainly binging, and had to work on this during pregnancy. Managed Ok. I find the idea that we’re powerless over urges about food during pregnancy or that it’s harmful to ignore the urges unhelpful.

DryFebEmma · 25/05/2024 07:54

I'd be thinking about the chemicals in it if it's not organic or wild salmon. Farmed salmon is absolutely full of chemicals. Even wild salmon I would only have a couple times a week maximum.

noodlebugz · 25/05/2024 07:47

hot smoked salmon salmon is ok. And it goes a lot further - as it’s flaked already. So may be cheaper and safer.

ttcat37 · 25/05/2024 06:58

I’ve seen posts online of people making tuna sashimi alternative out of watermelon!

ARatEatingABlueberry · 25/05/2024 04:10

Maybe try grilled aubergines, until they're really charry like you'd do them for baba ganoush, with lots of olive oil and salt, left to go cold. It might hit some of the right salty/smoky/dense/almost slimy/umami notes.

Toptops · 25/05/2024 03:38

Smoked mackerel pate. You can make a big pot of it for little ££££s.
BBC good food recipe I think.

Buffypaws · 24/05/2024 21:51

pardon?

OldPerson · 24/05/2024 21:37

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

TeaGinandFags · 24/05/2024 21:21

ThePassageOfTime · 23/05/2024 12:56

Gosh the NHS are still saying no more than 3 teas!

They really need to stop treating women as idiots and share the actual science.

Emily oster's amazing non condescending book is what you all need!

3 teas!

Sod that!

I ignored the NHS when I was pregnant as it was one craze after another. With DS1 it was no soft boiled eggs. Catford market hasd duvk eggs so I scoffdd them. All soft and runny. The midwife almost choked on her spleen. It was a beautiful experience.

OP, it's a craving, not a lifestyle. Enjoy.

CantFindMyMarbles · 24/05/2024 21:18

Take some multi vitamins as well as some cod liver oil tablets. It’s possible it’s your bodies wah of telling you that your vitamins are off. I ate 6 cucumbers a day when I was pregnant…..not expensive but for weird looks on the bus 🤣

tongsatdawn · 24/05/2024 19:17

Pakora ! Remembering the many many times I dragged my DH into Indian restaurants.
My son is 40 next year

LoserWinner · 24/05/2024 18:52

Anchovies?

Moveoverdarlin · 24/05/2024 18:22

I love smoked salmon but wouldn’t dream of touching it when pregnant. Nor shellfish.

Mrsthingamy · 24/05/2024 18:20

If its the smokiness, what about smoked paprika, its not really spicy, but a lovely smokiness, one of my favourite uses is a tomatoes chicken casserole, but also good on hard boiled eggs

PrimoPiatti · 24/05/2024 18:10

Check out Don Staniford on Twitter @TheGAAIA

If he doesn't put you off farmed salmon, nothing will.

Andante57 · 24/05/2024 08:56

Well said @Porridgeislife.

MrsDTucker · 24/05/2024 08:34

Derailing but I didn't have a single craving in either pregnancy.

ninetieseyebrows · 24/05/2024 07:00

Crab sticks?

Puffinthree · 24/05/2024 04:22

The fact that you shouldn't be eating it in the first place OP. Sorry, it was a huge craving for me too, but the baby comes first.

That first smoked salmon bagel after having the baby was divine!

Notthatcatagain · 24/05/2024 00:09

itsmylife7 · 23/05/2024 21:17

Sounds lovely could you share your recipe please.

Ive done this so many times that I do it freehand now but this is about what I do. 2 eggs, beaten with about half a pot of cream, add grated parmesan, about 50g I guess, black pepper, salt. Cook pasta to your taste, drain, saving about a cup full of water. Put the pasta back in the pan, pour over the egg mixture and stir through with about half a pack of smoked salmon. Reheat VERY gently whilst stiring until the sauce just thickens a little. Transfer to serving bowls immediately, it will carry on cooking if you leave it in the hot pan. If you aren't very gentle with the heat its easy to end up with scrambled eggs so don't turn your back. Sometimes I chuck a couple of cloves of garlic in with the pasta. If it'd a bit thick add a splash of the water or a bit extra cream , if you feel fancy you can add some garlic bread and a side salad.

Citrusandginger · 23/05/2024 21:50

Bacon sandwich. I believe Naked bacon is nitrate free as is proper Parma ham. The naked bacon is a bit pale & flaccid if you fry it, but I'd better if you have an air fryer. Food of the gods.