Before birthMay 16, 20261 min readUpdated May 31, 2026

Pica in pregnancy: cravings for non-food items

What pica is, risks of eating clay, starch, or ice compulsively, and why medical evaluation matters.

Keywords

Bầu Ăn Gì? Team · References ACOG

What is pica?

Strong urges to eat non-food substances: clay, dirt, chalk, laundry starch, large amounts of ice.

Risks

Infection, toxicity, bowel blockage, and masking iron deficiency anemia.

What to do

Tell your clinician honestly — no judgment helps care.
Blood tests for iron and other deficiencies may be needed.
Do not eat clay or starch products; seek safe substitutes and treatment.

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