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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 1, 2016)
7K\WJMZ-);<-:67:-/768):-6< What’s pica? Craving non-foods during pregnancy By SUZANNE KENNEDY Most women aren’t ac- cused of ea ng like a bird during pregnancy. Some, however, do experience a certain kind of craving that’s named a er the La n word for a magpie: pica. You see, magpies are notorious for ea ng almost anything, and while many pregnant women crave pickles and ice cream, a small percentage end up craving things that aren’t even edible. The most common pica cravings include: chalk, charcoal, concrete, cleaning products, dirt and paint. Ice is also on the list, but come on, how is ice not considered edible? Here’s the problem. No one knows for sure what causes these cravings. Some believe it signals some sort of vitamin defi ciency; others think the underlying factor might be a physical or mental ill- ness. Whatever it is, it’s important that you don’t act on the impulse, no ma er how much your mouth is watering. It’s dangerous for you, and it’s dangerous for the baby. So when you fi nd yourself walk- ing into the newly renovated por- on of your offi ce building to smell Nutrition the paint, or sneaking into the laundry to grab a handful of Gain, know that you are not alone. First, get in to see your doctor. He or she will probably suggest a blood test to check for defi ciencies, like iron or copper. Once that’s fi gured out, if you are s ll having the cravings, don’t worry. We can suggest some alter- na ves that may help. Dreaming about chalk, talcum powder or baking soda? Try a Tums, but don’t overdo it. Too many may cause kidney stones, and you don’t “Assisting people to become independent, healthy and safe.” %#2'%1/CKP1HƂEG 721 SE 3rd Suite D • Pendleton 541-276-1926 CAPECO - Airport Location 1605 NW 50th Street • Pendleton 541-276-5073 We Offer Help With: • Housing/ Homeownership • Employment/ Training Services • Emergency Services • Food/ Nutrition • Senior Services • Energy Services need to deal with those while you’re pregnant. Craving charcoal, soot or ash? Charcoal actually isn’t as bad as you might think. The kind made for human consump on is tradi onally used for trea ng gas and bloa ng, as well as absorbing poisons in the intes nes. Check with your doctor about how much is okay. Have a hankering for concrete or cement? Try hard foods such as zwieback crackers (something your teething infant might like to gnaw on one day) or hard bread, made without yeast. Desiring detergent or cleaning products? This one may actually be more psychological. They can cause serious damage, so instead try powdery foods or fl ours, gargling or swishing mouthwash. “Oil pulling” might also work. Take a tablespoon of oil (coconut, sesame, sunfl ower) and swish it around in your mouth for 10 to 15 minutes, and then spit it out. It’s thought to be an oral detoxifi er. Does dirt or mud look good to you? Try more red meat, products such as stone ground fl our, or the same charcoal men oned above. Another alterna ve that seems to be popular is strong iced tea be- cause of its earthy taste. Wan ng paint or glue? No brain- er on this one — don’t even think about it. If you absolutely can’t resist, only allow yourself to smell fresh paint in an open, ven lated area, from a distance. You might try food dye that’s safe for human consump on. Itching for ice? Have at it. Just be careful that you don’t wreck your teeth. Dickey’s BBQ uses the same type of ice machine my hospital had. It puts out those li le ice pel- lets that aren’t tough to chew at all. You’ll want to look for edible items with a texture similar to the thing you’re craving. Nuts, berries, fl our, cooked maize and fl at bread are all viable, healthy alterna ves. What we do know is that ea ng non-food items can interfere with your body’s ability to absorb nutri- ents and may even cause malnutri- on. It may lead to health problems like lead poisoning or bowel block- age. See your doctor fi rst, and don’t be afraid to be honest with her. It’s not uncommon and there is help. Bon appe t! ________ Suzanne Kennedy is a former middle school teacher who lives in Pendleton with her husband and three children.
