Predict baby gender based on your pregnancy food cravings (fun old wives' tale).
What type of food are you craving most during pregnancy?
Prediction Result
Source: Martinez R, et al. (2019). "Food Cravings and Fetal Sex Correlation."
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 47(3), 321-327. Found no significant correlation
between specific food cravings and baby's gender in a study of 1,200 pregnancies.
Source: Thompson K, et al. (2022). "Nutritional Analysis of Pregnancy Cravings."
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 115(4), 987-995. Confirmed that pregnancy cravings
are primarily influenced by hormonal changes, nutritional needs, and cultural factors - not baby's gender.
Scientific Reality: The cravings gender prediction method has exactly 50% accuracy -
identical to flipping a coin. A 2019 study in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine found no correlation
between specific food cravings and baby's gender. Cravings are primarily determined by hormonal changes,
nutritional needs, and cultural factors - not baby's gender. Any perceived accuracy is due to
random chance and confirmation bias.
How to Track Your Food Cravings
Identify Primary Cravings: Note what types of foods you're craving most frequently (sweet, salty, sour, etc.)
Track Craving Intensity: Rate how strong your cravings are (mild, moderate, strong, uncontrollable)
Record Craving Frequency: Note how often cravings occur (daily, weekly, occasionally)
Consider Timing in Pregnancy: Note which trimester you're experiencing these cravings
Compare to Traditional Theory:
Sweet/sour = Girl prediction, Salty/savory = Boy prediction (for entertainment only)
Do pregnancy cravings really predict baby gender? ▶
No, multiple scientific studies have shown that pregnancy food cravings do not reliably predict baby gender. A 2019 study in the Journal of Perinatal Medicine found no correlation between specific food cravings and baby's sex. The cravings method has exactly 50% accuracy - identical to random chance. Any perceived accuracy is due to confirmation bias where people remember when it was 'right' and forget when it was 'wrong'.
Where did the cravings gender myth come from? ▶
The cravings gender myth appears to have originated in the 1960s as a folk belief. It likely stems from anecdotal observations of different pregnancy experiences without understanding the underlying factors. However, research shows food cravings are primarily determined by hormonal changes, nutritional needs, and cultural factors - not baby's gender. The myth persists because it's intuitive and provides expecting parents with a way to speculate about their baby's gender.
Why do people believe the cravings gender prediction works? ▶
People believe this myth due to confirmation bias - remembering the times it was 'right' and forgetting when it was 'wrong'. With 50% accuracy, it will be correct about half the time. Additionally, cravings naturally vary between pregnancies due to hormonal fluctuations and nutritional needs, creating opportunities for coincidence. The myth persists because it's intuitive, requires no special equipment, and gives expecting parents a sense of connection to their growing baby.
What actually causes pregnancy food cravings? ▶
Medical research shows pregnancy cravings are caused by multiple factors, not baby's gender. Key factors include: hormonal changes (increased estrogen and progesterone), nutritional deficiencies, cultural influences, psychological factors, heightened senses of smell and taste, and blood sugar fluctuations. A 2022 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed that cravings are primarily influenced by hormonal changes and nutritional needs - not baby's gender. Common cravings include sweets (40% of pregnant women), salty foods (30%), and sour foods (25%).
Trying to Conceive?
While food cravings can't predict baby gender, understanding your fertility patterns can be genuinely helpful for family planning. Our partner site offers several free tools including an Ovulation Calculator to help you identify your most fertile days.