A TikTok video of a pregnant vegetarian woman giving in to her craving for a McDonald’s hamburger has sparked debate on social media. The 21-year-old mom-to-be, who lives in Florida, posted a clip of herself at a McDonald’s drive-thru ordering a hamburger with medium fries. She explains in the video that she has been having a mental battle with herself over the past week because her baby has been craving meat, despite having stopped eating meat five years ago. The video has been viewed over three million times, with some users criticizing her for not properly planning her diet and others sympathizing with her pregnancy cravings.
Food cravings are common during pregnancy, with 89 percent of women in a survey reporting having experienced at least one type of food craving while pregnant. Specific foods unique to one place, junk food, and foods they don’t normally like eating were popular cravings among the women polled. The woman in the TikTok video admits to being nervous before taking her first bite of the McDonald’s hamburger, stating that she feels like she is committing a crime by eating meat. Despite her initial reluctance, she proceeds to eat the burger and tells viewers it will be a one-time thing.
Debate has long existed over the pros and cons of being vegetarian during pregnancy, with critics suggesting that it deprives the unborn child of key nutrients. However, scientific evidence suggests that well-planned vegetarian and vegan diets are safe during pregnancy and lactation. While unmonitored plant-based diets can lead to nutritional deficiencies, such as proteins, iron, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, omega-3, and vitamin B12, proper planning can ensure that pregnant women on these diets receive all necessary nutrients.
Some users on TikTok criticized the pregnant woman in the video for not properly planning her diet and accused her of lacking iron, which could lead to meat cravings. Others suggested alternatives such as Burger King’s non-meat options or spinach. Some users sympathized with her pregnancy cravings, recognizing the challenges that can come with food cravings while pregnant. One user shared her own experience of feeling better after incorporating meat into her diet during pregnancy, despite previously being a vegetarian. The woman in the video has also posted another video of herself eating what appears to be a Big Mac, indicating that her cravings may continue throughout her pregnancy.
Overall, the TikTok video of the pregnant vegetarian woman eating a McDonald’s hamburger has sparked a conversation about pregnancy cravings, vegetarian diets during pregnancy, and the challenges that come with maintaining a specific diet while pregnant. While some users criticized her choices and lack of planning, others sympathized with her situation and shared their own experiences of navigating food cravings during pregnancy. The video highlights the complexity of pregnancy cravings and the importance of ensuring proper nutrition for both the mother and the unborn child.
