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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
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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.