I'm craving sand, were can i buy some that is safe to eat? - Page 6

Angellicaa · Jan 23rd, 2010, 22:25 PM

This was taken from the American Pregnancy.org website:

http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pre...vingspica.html

Pica- is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. 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.

It is true that the majority of women will experience cravings during pregnancy; however, most of these cravings are for things like pickles and ice cream. Pica cravings are most commonly seen in children and occur in approximately 25-30% of all children; pica cravings in 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 an 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?
Eating non-food substances is potentially harmful to both you and your baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica cravings are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients.

What can you do if you have pica cravings?
Don't panic; it happens and is not abnormal. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider to make sure you have a complete understanding of the specific risks associated with your cravings. Here are some suggestions to help you deal with pica cravings:

Inform your health care provider and review your prenatal health records
Monitor your iron status along with other vitamin and mineral intake
Consider potential substitutes for the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum
Inform a friend of your craving who can help you avoid non-food items
Last Updated: 03/2007

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Compiled using information from the following sources:

Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Part 3.

American Dietetic Association, http://www.eatright.org/

American Academy of Family Physicians, http://familydoctor.org/

WhosThatGirl · Jan 24th, 2010, 03:19 AM

This is Pica, as i see others have mentioned. I would call your dr. and please do not eat sand!

WannaB · Jan 24th, 2010, 03:45 AM

What Angellicaa has posted is spot on. And since you've already downed some dirt before, I think you said in pregnancy too, this is a long thread to read

, its going to probably be pica, its not only sand but clay and soil too, and its caused by an iron deficiency and being pregnant that would make sense! Hopefully you wont eat the sand, bear in mind if you do go source some sand pit stuff its been heavily treated with chemicals, bleached and sanitized and its full of silica and sodium so its by no means harmless!

PrayinForBaby · Jan 24th, 2010, 03:50 AM

I'm no doctor but this can't be good! I think I would definitely be ringing up the Dr before going out and chowing down on some sand!

And wannaB, I swear I'm not stalking you, but apparently you have the same interest in thread titles as me! lol

Joyzerelly · Jan 24th, 2010, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mandylou

well sand is made of glass so i wouldnt advise eating it....

or rather, glass is made from sand. Hehe!

Joyzerelly · Jan 24th, 2010, 06:05 AM

Eat some spinach! Dark leafy green vegetables contain lots of iron.

char63 · Jan 24th, 2010, 06:45 AM

i dont think you should eat sand babe, you will just have to get over it.

minyme · Jan 24th, 2010, 08:54 AM

Thanks ladies,

1. I'm soooo pleased i'm not the only one craving crazy "non-food" items. Thanks for being honest about yr crazy cravings!!
2. I've never heard of pica and that information was really helpful as i had low iron in my last pregnancy and to be honest my iron has not been cheecked since my first blood test at 14 week pregs and i'm now 30 weeks (and feeling really tired), so it must be.
3. After readin the posts i did not indulge, tried food alternatives but not quite the same.
4. Rang midwife who laughed said don't eat it but to tell midwife on wednesday and eat more greeny veg in meantime.

lauraperrysan · Jan 24th, 2010, 09:41 AM

im so glad u didn't eat it

im suprised they laughed at u tho?! it's quite serious but yes lot's of green veg till monday

well done for being so honest tho
xxxx

Dream.A.Dream · Jan 24th, 2010, 10:39 AM

Well done for not eating it. Not very nice of the MW to just laugh at you though

xx

Jan 23rd, 2010, 22:25 PM	#51
Angellicaa Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1,145	This was taken from the American Pregnancy.org website: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pre...vingspica.html Pica- is the practice of craving substances with little or no nutritional value. 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. It is true that the majority of women will experience cravings during pregnancy; however, most of these cravings are for things like pickles and ice cream. Pica cravings are most commonly seen in children and occur in approximately 25-30% of all children; pica cravings in 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 an 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? Eating non-food substances is potentially harmful to both you and your baby. Eating non-food substances may interfere with the nutrient absorption of healthy food substances and actually cause a deficiency. Pica cravings are also a concern because non-food items may contain toxic or parasitic ingredients. What can you do if you have pica cravings? Don't panic; it happens and is not abnormal. The most important thing is to inform your health care provider to make sure you have a complete understanding of the specific risks associated with your cravings. Here are some suggestions to help you deal with pica cravings: Inform your health care provider and review your prenatal health records Monitor your iron status along with other vitamin and mineral intake Consider potential substitutes for the cravings such as chewing sugarless gum Inform a friend of your craving who can help you avoid non-food items Last Updated: 03/2007 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Compiled using information from the following sources: Mayo Clinic Guide To A Healthy Pregnancy Harms, Roger W., M.D., et al, Part 3. American Dietetic Association, http://www.eatright.org/ American Academy of Family Physicians, http://familydoctor.org/

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Jan 24th, 2010, 03:19 AM	#52
WhosThatGirl Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Seattle,Washington Posts: 1,913	This is Pica, as i see others have mentioned. I would call your dr. and please do not eat sand!

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Jan 24th, 2010, 03:45 AM	#53
WannaB Trying to conceive (TTC) BnB Addict Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Australia Posts: 5,415	What Angellicaa has posted is spot on. And since you've already downed some dirt before, I think you said in pregnancy too, this is a long thread to read, its going to probably be pica, its not only sand but clay and soil too, and its caused by an iron deficiency and being pregnant that would make sense! Hopefully you wont eat the sand, bear in mind if you do go source some sand pit stuff its been heavily treated with chemicals, bleached and sanitized and its full of silica and sodium so its by no means harmless!

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2010, 03:50 AM	#54
PrayinForBaby Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: West Virginia, USA Posts: 4,343	I'm no doctor but this can't be good! I think I would definitely be ringing up the Dr before going out and chowing down on some sand! And wannaB, I swear I'm not stalking you, but apparently you have the same interest in thread titles as me! lol

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2010, 06:05 AM	#56
Joyzerelly Pregnant (Expecting) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Glorious England Posts: 1,492	Eat some spinach! Dark leafy green vegetables contain lots of iron.

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Jan 24th, 2010, 06:45 AM	#57
char63 Trying to conceive (TTC) Active BnB Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Surrey Posts: 389	i dont think you should eat sand babe, you will just have to get over it.

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Jan 24th, 2010, 08:54 AM	#58
minyme Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 86	Thanks ladies, 1. I'm soooo pleased i'm not the only one craving crazy "non-food" items. Thanks for being honest about yr crazy cravings!! 2. I've never heard of pica and that information was really helpful as i had low iron in my last pregnancy and to be honest my iron has not been cheecked since my first blood test at 14 week pregs and i'm now 30 weeks (and feeling really tired), so it must be. 3. After readin the posts i did not indulge, tried food alternatives but not quite the same. 4. Rang midwife who laughed said don't eat it but to tell midwife on wednesday and eat more greeny veg in meantime.

Status: Offline

Jan 24th, 2010, 09:41 AM	#59
lauraperrysan Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Dorset Posts: 1,882	im so glad u didn't eat it im suprised they laughed at u tho?! it's quite serious but yes lot's of green veg till monday well done for being so honest tho xxxx

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Jan 24th, 2010, 10:39 AM	#60
Dream.A.Dream Waiting To Try (WTT) BnB Elite Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: England Posts: 18,943	Well done for not eating it. Not very nice of the MW to just laugh at you though xx

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