Pregnancy dietsget a lot of attention, and deservedly so.  One element of healthy eating during pregnancy that often goes unnoticed is the occurrence of pica cravings.

Who wants Pica de Gallo?

Pica cravings have nothing to do with a desire to eat fresh Tex-Mex style foods.  Pica doesn't really have anything to do with a desire to eat any kind of food at all. Women who are plagued with a desire to eat chalk, laundry starch, clay, ice cubes or any other odd non-food items are beset by pica cravings.

These women better listen up.  Their bodies are trying to tell them something and it is not that their pregnancy diets are lacking in dirt.

What's the Cause of Non-Nutritive Cravings during Pregnancy?

Currently medical science is at just as much of a loss to explain an expectants mother's desire to eat chalk as the general public.  The strongest link to pregnancy and pica cravings, however, is a failure to consume a balanced diet during pregnancy.

The number one nutrient linked to pica is iron, or more specifically an iron deficiency. To combat this, mothers need to take a close look at how to achieve a balanced diet during pregnancy.

Eating Well for Two

The rules of proper diet for pre pregnancy change once baby is on the way. Healthy eating during pregnancy means adapting meal plans to account for these changes.

Prenatal vitamins are often used as a crutch.  The bad news here is that prenatal vitamins are not always readily absorbed by the mother's body. If the vitamins are not absorbed, and the accompanying diet is not rich in nutrients, both mother and baby are left facing a deficiency.

In these cases, the body will attempt to self-preserve.  One outward demonstration of self-preservation is a sudden urge to indulge in a meal of spent matches or toothpaste.

Combating Pica

The first step to correcting pica cravings is to take note, and never, ever eat those delectable looking non-food items.  Instead, let your care provider know about the abnormal cravings.  They will be able to help tweak diet and nutrient needs so the body is able to get all the vitamins and minerals it needs from nutritious food sources.

An excellent diet for pre pregnancy will create a solid base within the body as well. Starting from this strong base is an inestimable tool to beat pica cravings before they begin.

Simple blood tests will find an iron deficiency. If this turns out to be the source of pica cravings, the solution will be found in your diet.  Foods rich in iron include lean red meats, dark leafy greens like spinach, boc choy and green beans.

Iron absorption can be blocked by other foods.  Avoid eating high iron foods in the same meal as iron blockers like: coffee, egg whites, soy, teas and milk.