12/30/2023 0 Comments Eating dirt while pregnantIf baboons ate the soil for iron then it would have to be available for the body. Pink and ochre soil color usually indicates that it contains iron. The soil eaten by the troop of baboons that I studied was pink, ochre, and white. When I tell people about my research, they immediately tell me that animals must be eating soil for minerals. Hmmm….why might that be and what the heck can you get from eating dirt?!! My friends who study soil eating in humans have told me that there’s a strong association between soil eating and pregnancy. The other thing that surprised me was how long some of the pregnant females spent eating soil. ![]() If you don’t believe me – see it for yourself here. The “just right” soil was the one they waited their turn for. One was too salty, one was too sandy, and one was just right – if soil in your mouth can be right. As a good biologist, I tried the soil in several different places. This told me that they liked some soil better than others. If someone of higher rank was eating soil there, you had to wait your turn. At the dirt diner – there was a couple of favorite “chairs”. It became clear that some individuals stayed there a long time while others dined and dashed. During some seasons, they went to their favorite dirt dinner – every. I had the pleasure of moving with a large troop of chacma baboons for several years. Some days you need vitamin C from the mix, other days it’s potassium, and other days it’s like taking a Tums ®. I study soil eating in monkeys and apes and I can’t tell you what goes through their minds but I think eating soil is like taking a multivitamin. Soil eaters can’t tell you why they crave soil, only that they do. It’s special dirt that humans admit walking miles to reach because they crave it. ![]() It’s not eating a little bit of soil left on your fresh radishes – it’s purposely and deliberately eating soil. Soil eating is formally known as “geophagy” for non-human animals and “pica” for humans. If you’re craving other nonfood things, ask them about how to treat the issue.Did you know that people and other animals eat soil? Like, lots of animals and lots of soil?! I’ve studied soil eating for more than 10 years and still find this curious behavior absolutely fascinating. They can help ensure that you and your baby are getting the right nutrients for healthy growth and development. If you think you have pica, let your OB-GYN know right away - even if the only nonfood thing you crave is ice. In serious cases, pica can lead to other health complications like infections, stomach irritation, a blockage in your digestive tract, vomiting, and weight loss. They might also make you feel full, leading you to not eat enough of the nutritious food you and your baby need. It’s important to note that sometimes pica and nonfood cravings can be directly harmful to your health if you’re eating other nonfood things.įor example, eating nonfood items like paper, clay, or dirt can make you ill. ![]() However, the potential underlying cause of craving ice in pica - like anemia - might be harmful to you and your baby. If you’re just craving ice and enjoy munching on ice chips, this isn’t particularly risky for you and your baby (as long as you don’t chip a tooth!). Pica itself is not always harmful, but addressing its underlying causes can help prevent its associated risks. They also observed that many participants sought the nonfood items because they were appealing and felt the scent or taste helped alleviate their nausea. The researchers noted that some participants believed that the white clay and ice had nutritional value. The most common items consumed were white clay and ice. ![]() The study also found that 47.5 percent of the women had some form of pica during pregnancy. a history of or cultural exposure to eating nonfood items, such as eating clay as medicine in some cultures.poor nutrition or nutrient deficiencies.One study in 286 pregnant women in Ghana noted that pregnant women most at risk of pica may include those who have: If you’re pregnant, you’re at a higher risk of anemia from not getting enough iron or B vitamins. This issue may also arise if nausea and vomiting limit the amount of nutrients you’re taking in.Ī deficiency in important minerals like iron and zinc may trigger pica. Sometimes the increased demands of pregnancy may lead to a nutrient deficiency. Your body needs proper nutrition to support your pregnancy. One reason why your body might crave nonfood items is that you’re not getting adequate nutrient intake.ĭuring pregnancy, the foods you eat supply your own needs, as well as those of your growing baby. Some of its causes might explain why it’s more common in pregnant women.
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