Or better still, an eating disorder of non-food substances. This is a disorder called “ pica”, characterized by craving and appetite for non-edible substances. While a majority of women crave sweet, sour and spicey ranging from chocolates and ice-creams to pickles and tacos, some women find themselves having odder cravings for items such as dirt, ash, chalk or ice. Well, it’s time to get them right back on your plate.Ī lot of the cravings are unhealthy so it is advisable to indulge every now and then eating them in moderation but doctors advise to get a healthier substitute replacing what you crave. You did hate or never thought about these types of food for as long as you can remember, and suddenly, pregnancy has made you fall in love with them again. Pregnant women are advised to indulge in their cravings as they are expected to listen to what their bodies want. If you think about this, it makes a lot of sense as the foods most pregnant women crave are the exact opposite of what they loved before pregnancy. Although it is not proven, a food scientist and nutritionist, Sophie Medlin states that “Fluctuation in hormones during pregnancy means that sometimes we need more of different nutrients”, hence the cravings for certain foods. Some pleasant, some not.Ĭraving is one of the natural, yet unusual behaviors a pregnant woman can experience and it is a feeling many people ‘blame’ on the hormones. Pregnancy defines a new stage in a woman’s life and her body will go through changes she has never experienced before – Sometimes change in complexion, body shape, nausea, morning sickness, mood swings, bladder control, and a wide range of others. It’s 9 months of pure undiluted love for someone you have never seen that grows inside you.īut for all of its happiness and joys, a lot of women find pregnancy to be extremely difficult. How you gladly wait around expecting the arrival of your little one and how your loved ones shower you with love and care. Read: Pica during pregnancy: why women crave non-food items during pregnancy and how it affects them.Pregnancy is a beautiful, exciting, and delightful journey. A pregnant woman might fall really ill and moreover, eating nonfood items can fill up the stomach because of which a person might not eat enough of the nutritious foods which is really necessary for the both the woman and her baby. It can be very dangerous for the woman and for her baby. But, the most unusual aspect of pica is when pregnant someone starts eating nonfood items. Sometimes because of pica women also crave for ice creams and junk foods which is absolutely safe. ![]() Women should be aware of this condition from beforehand so that the underlying causes can be identified and it can be prevented. Pica is not inherently harmful but it could be if a pregnant woman starts craving for nonfood items like chalk, dirt, paint or paper. Is Pica Dangerous For The Mother And Her Baby? Usually, the reasons for cravings are easy to identify and you can either increase your intake of the lacking nutrient through diet or by taking supplements. So, what is the best way to find out what the problem is? Seeing your doctor is the first step the doctor can do a blood test and let you know what your body is lacking. Other Safe Food Items: Flat dry bread, nuts, ground nuts, chewing tablets, saunf and dried fruits. You can also try products such as food dye, which is safe for human consumption. If you really can't resist, try and only smell fresh paint in an open, ventilated area, from a distance. You should not smell or eat any type of paint or solvent it can be dangerous for your body and even lead to serious solvent addictions. Women can sublimate their cravings by diverting it to something edible and healthy. Here are some safe alternative options for non-food cravings. Dr Aruna Kalra, Gynecologists' and Obstetrics Surgeon, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram, says the first focus should be to treat pregnant women of her deficiencies by supplementing her diet with iron and mineral-rich foods and providing her with vitamin supplements. Pica could be life-threatening for the mother and the child if the cravings are non-food items or dangerous items like dirt or paints and solvents. One of the most widely postulated causes of clay and dirt pica is iron-deficiency anemia. ![]() But the most common cause of pica is possible nutritional deficiencies (vitamin and mineral deficiencies). Some women develop pica for medicinal purposes. These cravings are most common in pregnant women and children. Pica is an eating disorder in which one feels a strong urge to eat non-nutritive substances like soil, clay, chalk, charcoal, paint, paper, soap, glass, hair, ice, etc.
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