Hello, I'm 14 weeks pregnant and I have some serious cravings for ice cream. I thought some people just used cravings as an excuse to eat what they want, but I take that back, these cravings are really strong! I'm trying really hard not to eat it too much, as I know it's not healthy but it's extra difficult when people say ‘go on it's fine, your pregnant'. Also, I've heard that craving particular things can predict the sex of you child, if that is true what does craving ice-cream mean?

Many women experience cravings at some point during their pregnancy and not always at the beginning, sometimes in the middle and sometimes at the end. While it's a common belief that pregnancy leads you to crave some of the more bizarre food combinations like marshmallows and chutney, it may come as a surprise to learn that the most popular foods craved seem to be fresh fruit and dairy products, so you are certainly not alone with craving ice cream.

Food cravings in themselves are not a problem as long as your diet overall remains balanced, with foods from the all the different food groups including fruit and vegetables, starchy foods like potatoes, bread and pasta, meat and fish or vegetarian alternatives like beans, eggs, lentils or soya products and dairy foods.

Small amounts of fatty and sugary foods like butter, chocolate, crisps or cakes can also be included in a healthy diet, so the ice-cream is fine in small amounts. As some ice-creams can be very high in fat and sugar, eating large portions frequently may lead to excess weight gain.

It may be tempting to find a ‘diet' or ‘low fat' ice-cream to eat instead, while this may make a small difference to the calories, the difference will not be huge and you still need to control the portion size and the frequency of your ice-cream habit. The best thing to do may be to have a small amount at particular times of the day, and then you will feel less deprived than spending the whole day trying not to eat it.

Explaining to well meaning friends and relatives who suggest that you should ‘eat for two' whilst pregnant, or suggest that you should be ‘able to eat what you want', that gaining too much weight has long term implications for both you and your baby should help. Alternatively you can remind them of how difficult it can be to lose weight, and then ask them if they would like extra ice-cream.

Unfortunately there is no evidence that links cravings and the sex of infants, though it is commonly suggested that you can. If you want to find out what you will be having, the only guaranteed way is to wait for your first scan!