Lottie
New Member
Source - American Pregnancy Association
Pica is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. No, we are not talking about ice cream! Most pica cravings involve non-food substances such as dirt or chalk. The word pica is Latin for magpie which is a bird notorious for eating almost anything.
Pica cravings are most commonly seen in children and occur in approximately 1.5% of all children; pica cravings within pregnant women are even less common.
What causes pica during pregnancy?
The reason that some women develop pica cravings during pregnancy is not known for certain. There is currently no identified cause, however according to the Journal of American Dietetic Association there may be a connection to iron deficiency.
Some speculate that pica cravings are the body's attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through normal food consumption. Sometimes pica cravings may be related to an underlying physical or mental illness.
What are typical pica cravings during pregnancy?
The most common substances craved during pregnancy are dirt, clay, and laundry starch. Other pica cravings include: burnt matches, stones, charcoal, mothballs, ice, cornstarch, toothpaste, soap, sand, plaster, coffee grounds, baking soda, and cigarette ashes.
Are pica cravings harmful to the baby?
If you give into pica cravings and eat non-food substances it is potentially harmful to both you and the baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica substances are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients.
For more Information please go to the above link. :flower4u:
Pica is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. No, we are not talking about ice cream! Most pica cravings involve non-food substances such as dirt or chalk. The word pica is Latin for magpie which is a bird notorious for eating almost anything.
Pica cravings are most commonly seen in children and occur in approximately 1.5% of all children; pica cravings within pregnant women are even less common.
What causes pica during pregnancy?
The reason that some women develop pica cravings during pregnancy is not known for certain. There is currently no identified cause, however according to the Journal of American Dietetic Association there may be a connection to iron deficiency.
Some speculate that pica cravings are the body's attempt to obtain vitamins or minerals that are missing through normal food consumption. Sometimes pica cravings may be related to an underlying physical or mental illness.
What are typical pica cravings during pregnancy?
The most common substances craved during pregnancy are dirt, clay, and laundry starch. Other pica cravings include: burnt matches, stones, charcoal, mothballs, ice, cornstarch, toothpaste, soap, sand, plaster, coffee grounds, baking soda, and cigarette ashes.
Are pica cravings harmful to the baby?
If you give into pica cravings and eat non-food substances it is potentially harmful to both you and the baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica substances are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients.
For more Information please go to the above link. :flower4u: