Pregnancy Milestones: Symptoms, Testing & Body Changes

Why do some women experience period-like symptoms during early pregnancy? From glucose tolerance tests to managing dry skin, knowing what to expect in each trimester reduces anxiety and ensures better health monitoring.

Cacao nibs or raw cocoa beans crushed in a jar

Raw Cacao Beans & Pregnancy

Published Jun,13 2017 | By Natalie Smith

Many pregnant women experience cravings for chocolate. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that you avoid consuming refined sugars during pregnancy because it has a low nutritive value and may increase your risk for gestational diabetes. Recent studies, such as a 2008 study in the journal "Molecules,"

Natalie Smith is a technical writing professor specializing in medical writing localization and food writing. Her work has been published in technical journals, on several prominent cooking and nutrition websites, as well as books and conference proceedings. Smith has won two international research awards for her scholarship in intercultural medical writing, and holds a PhD in technical communication and rhetoric.