Home / Health Insurance / Articles / Pregnancy / Tips / Pica Condition: Cravings that are umm.. too strange! Do you have them?

Pica Condition: Cravings that are umm.. too strange! Do you have them?

Team AckoFeb 8, 2024

Besides food cravings and aversions experienced during this time, you may want to eat non-food items, which have no nutritional value This condition is called Pica.

Contents

The reason for this sort of liking can’t be ascertained. However, as per the Journal of American Dietic Association, this could be due to deficiency in iron (anemia) or a way for the body to get those vitamins and minerals, which are absent in the normal diet.

If you are experiencing pica, you have a strong craving to eat things like soap, coffee grounds, sand, toothpaste, dirt, cigarette ash, stones, and mothballs during pregnancy. Strange right? But it does happen to a lot of women!

These non-food substances are harmful for the mom-to-be as well as the baby as they are toxic in nature. It can cause parasitic infections, choking, and intestinal blockages too.

Experiencing pica is normal during this time and definitely temporary. However, you need to deal with the situation by talking to your doctor. She will monitor the nutrient value of iron along with other vitamins and minerals. If it is due to iron deficiency or imbalances in the nutrients, the doctor will recommend the nutrient in the form of supplements like iron supplements. She can also suggest safe substitutes for such non-food cravings. For instance, chewing sugarless gum. The substitute for chalk can be dried berries, abundant in calcium. If it is dirt, then black channa. If it is paint, then saunf, dry fruits are good options.

A blood test, consulting the doctor, taking the deficient nutrient in the form of supplements and safe food substitutes, will help you deal with this condition.

Explore More Articles on Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms your doctor will look out for in you

Symptoms of Preeclampsia-- What puts you at a higher risk of it?

Restless legs syndrome: Leg cramps & how to deal with them and other symptoms

Symptoms you're likely to face now

Symptoms you are likely to witness now

Body changes happening in you beyond your growing tummy

Acne, backache, risk of varicose veins: Symptoms you're likely to witness now

Piles, ligament pain, trouble sleeping: Symptoms you're likely to experience

What's happening with you

Lesser nausea, glowing skin: Here's a list of symptoms you're likely to experience

Pica Condition: Cravings that are umm.. too strange! Do you have them?

Are you gaining the right amount of weight in this last trimester?

Changing breasts, lucid dreams: Symptoms you're likely to witness now

Keeping the waiting game strong: Symptoms now and what to do

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only, based on industry experience and secondary sources. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Please consult a qualified expert for health or insurance-related decisions. Content is subject to change, refer to current policy wordings for specific ACKO details.

Recent

Articles

Calicut International Airport (CCJ) or Kozhikode Airport

TeamAcko Jan 22, 2025

Cochin International Airport

TeamAcko Jan 22, 2025

Kannur International Airport

TeamAcko Jan 22, 2025

Airports in Kerala

TeamAcko Jan 22, 2025

Things to Do in Morocco: The Complete Travel Guide for 2025

TeamAcko Jan 21, 2025