Unusual food cravings are an inevitable part of pregnancy. Sometimes these desires can even indicate deficiencies in certain nutrients in the body.
If you find yourself craving items like ice, chalk or ash which provide no nutritional benefit, this could be an indicator of pica.
1. Craving Ice
Are You Chewing Ice All the Time?? It Could Be Signs That You Lack Iron
At first glance, ice cravings don’t pose as many dangers as other pica-related foods like clay, chalk, paint chips, dirt or paper. If your ice munching raises any issues about possible emotional eating issues that are at play here, counseling may provide an ideal setting to explore past experiences that led to this unusual compulsion and to find resolution.
Ice cravings generally don’t pose any direct danger, though the habit can damage teeth and lead to other health concerns like anemia if left unaddressed. If you are concerned about your iron levels, ask your physician to run a simple blood test to assess them.
Pregnant women are particularly prone to iron deficiency during gestation as they lose more blood, their needs are met by their partner’s iron stores and they experience morning sickness in the first trimester. Iron deficiencies are more likely among women than men; this could explain why expectant mothers crave ice cubes; however, if your craving for frozen treats doesn’t indicate gestation it might indicate low iron levels which should be addressed with iron supplements or doctor visit.
2. Craving Dirt
When we hear about weird pregnancy cravings, our minds often jump to conclusions that they indicate a serious medical condition. While some pregnancy-related food cravings do indicate issues with gestation, most are just responses to something going on with your body or environment – craving pickles, ice cream or dirt is often something people are drawn towards but doesn’t really tell us much about you or your baby.
Pica, which refers to compulsively eating non-nutritious substances like ice, clay or dirt without providing nutritional benefit, may be caused by various factors including deficiencies of certain essential vitamins or minerals; treatment typically includes diet changes and additional supplementation with those nutrients.
Pica cravings remain poorly understood; however, they’ve often been linked to iron deficiency or anxiety disorders; some even use pica as an outlet to soothe themselves.
Some scientists have proposed that geophagy (the practice of eating earth), also known as geophagy, might be a survival mechanism to remedy an iron deficiency. Unfortunately, however, the evidence doesn’t support this theory: one major finding has been that most types of dirt people ingest typically contain only low amounts of essential minerals like iron, zinc and calcium; two more would expect people who practice geophagy at times when they require iron most; such as in adolescence or old age.
If you find yourself craving dirt, the best course of action is to find a healthier alternative and take mineral supplements to address any nutrient deficiencies. Try munching on food similar to dirt’s texture like ground cookies, as well as fruits and vegetables packed with essential nutrients like fruits or vegetables rich in a particular mineral supplement; or alternatively you could take pill form mineral supplements. It should be noted however, if this craving occurs before your period it could indicate menstrual cramps instead and speaking to healthcare provider may help.
3. Craving Clay
Sera Young, Nutritional Scientist. When pregnant women crave clay it could be an indicator of mineral deficiency, says Nutritional Scientist Sera Young. Geophagia or eating soil as food is common practice across Africa, while its evolutionary background might help with mineral absorption as well as protecting against pathogens or toxins.
Even if your craving for dirt or clay is caused by nutritional deficiency, it’s wise to consult your physician first before giving in. “Cravings for non-food items can lead to serious health risks for both mother and fetus,” according to Joy Bauer, TODAY’s Nutrition Expert.
“Eating non-food items while pregnant puts your fetus at risk of infections,” according to she adds. If you find yourself craving dangerous items like dill pickles, seek medical advice immediately.
Women often feel drawn to eating clay and dirt because it appears “clean,” but that may not be an ideal meal choice when pregnant. Clay could contain harmful toxins, lead, heavy metals or parasites which could harm both mother and baby. It would not be wise to consume such substances while expecting.
If you choose to give into your craving for clay, it is crucial that you consume nutritional supplements and follow a balanced diet in order to counterbalance this action; eating non-food items may lead to nutritional deficiencies and lead to anemia in you and the unborn baby. Eating non-food items could interfere with iron and zinc absorption which would not be good for their development either.
But that doesn’t mean it’s OK to send your partner out in search of pickles at midnight! Most pregnancy cravings are symptoms of an underlying condition and it is important that you discuss them with your healthcare provider as soon as they arise, who can then help manage these unsafe cravings until they pass.
4. Craving Ash
Cravings for non-edible foods such as dirt, paint or ash could be signs of pica, an eating disorder in which people crave non-nutritious items that have no nutritional value. While this condition usually only appears during pregnancy due to nutritional deficiency issues.
An intense desire for ash could be an indicator of potassium deficiency. Since potassium is essential to many body processes, eating foods rich in this mineral such as bananas and leafy green vegetables will likely help correct your deficiency.
However, pregnant women often report experiencing this unusual craving during their pregnancies. According to Babylist, an intense desire for ash can also be an indicator of an iron deficiency which should be rectified with healthier options such as leafy green salad or other vitamin-rich foods rich in vitamin and iron content.
Ice cravings during pregnancy often signal calcium or sodium deficiency; therefore, eating a well-rounded diet containing plenty of nutrient-rich foods is critical in order to prevent such cravings from occurring.
Individuals experiencing magnesium deficiency often develop an unusual craving for coal, which is an indicator of muscle health issues or energy production deficit. Magnesium is essential to muscle health and energy production, so eating plenty of magnesium-rich foods such as leafy greens, nuts and seeds and whole grains is vital in order to stay nourished with this mineral.
Pregnant women may experience cravings for cosmetic products like talcum powder that are commonly available at most stores’ cosmetics aisle. Such cravings could be an indicator of an hormonal imbalance and should not be ignored.
No matter your cravings may be, be it for ice, dirt, clay, or ash; speaking to your healthcare provider may provide insight and suggestions as to foods that will meet your dietary requirements. While it’s always beneficial to eat a variety of different foods during pregnancy – including sweet and salty treats – be sure to consume those rich in vitamins and nutrients instead of junk or processed food products.
