AshĪsh from cigarettes is another typical uncommon craving that can indicate pica. Consider a leafy green salad that can help you with your iron and vitamin intake and possibly help you get rid of this craving. While it’s said that dirt and clay can be used as filters to fight against bad toxins and pathogens and fight off morning sickness, they can introduce nasty bacteria into your system. Some think there is a tie between the desire to have dirt could be due to anemia. Dirtĭoctors are also unsure about the link between pica and if you are craving dirt. Still, although chalk is typically non-toxic, it is probably in you and your baby’s best interest to avoid giving in to this urge.

Women have admitted to buying chalk to satisfy this craving. ChalkĪlthough it may not seem normal, chalk is a typical pregnancy craving you might experience, especially since it is a common craving that can indicate pica. Your tongue can become swollen if you have an iron deficiency, and ice can help with any swelling while also providing some hydration. Ice cravings are typically linked to anemia. However, be aware of the effect chewing ice or ice chips may have on your teeth. Unlike the others, this one is relatively harmless to indulge in. Ice is another typical craving you might have during your pregnancy, but it can also indicate you may have pica. We have listed some typical but uncommon pregnancy cravings you might experience and watch out for. It’s important to talk to your doctor if you believe you have signs of pica because it can lead to severe consequences, such as lead poisoning. Some think there could be connections between cravings and your body’s attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals. Some argue that the craving has no purpose, while others, like the Journal of American Dietetic Association, believe it could be tied to vitamin deficiencies. Not much is known about pica, especially why some women develop it and others don’t. But in some cases, you might feel drawn to items like dirt, paint, or ash. This compulsive disorder might make you want to eat relatively harmless items, like ice. If you are experiencing cravings for inedible foods such as dirt, chalk, soap, or ash with little to no nutritional value, you may have symptoms of pica. It is also essential to keep track of a healthy and balanced diet because a steady diet of high sugar, fat, or processed foods can create lasting health problems. Here are a few examples of some combinations that many women have reported:Īlthough satisfying these combinations or cravings in moderation is usually harmless, it’s important to know how much you’re consuming. This is normal, and the variety pregnant women have reported is endless. Pregnancy cravings can create unique food combinations. They can help satisfy your fruit craving when you don’t want the extra loads of sugar. If you’re looking for a sweet, hydrating, electrolyte drink, consider Greater Than.

Fast food such as a burger or Chinese food.

Pregnancy cravings are usually harmless for many women while sometimes appearing as odd combinations. Usually, you will crave something for a day or two, a different craving for another day or two, and so on. There could be several reasons why you could have cravings, such as raging hormones, your body having to work extra hard to produce more blood, or wanting the comfort of certain foods as your body changes.Ĭravings typically begin to disappear after delivery, and you won’t keep eating the same things forever. Doctors don’t know why precisely pregnant women get the urge for particular textures, tastes, or flavor combinations.Ĭravings typically begin around the first trimester and peak in the second, but it can happen at any time during pregnancy. What Causes Pregnancy Cravings?įrontiers in Psychology provides research that between 50 to 90 percent of women experience a craving for a specific type of food. That’s why we’ve put together this fact sheet to guide you through why your body is craving things possibly a little out of the ordinary. By making small changes to your diet, you might be able to get better control over your cravings.Īt Greater Than, we know how these cravings can take you by surprise. Even stranger, this can be common for pregnant women. Strangely enough, you may be craving things that aren’t even food at all, but things like dirt or chalk. Throughout your pregnancy, you may notice you are starting to crave foods you’ve never been interested in before, combinations you would be put off by, or even foods you didn’t like at all pre-pregnancy.

Pica in pregnancy