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Expert Q&A

	By Allison Gamble Nutritionist/Diet Technician Highland Park Hospital, Illinois

I am in my third trimester, and have been taking prenatal vitamins and eating well, yet I crave laundry detergent and dirt as well as the smell of gasoline. Am I going crazy? Any suggestions for curbing these cravings?

No, you are not going crazy. Cravings in pregnancy are normal. The type of craving you are having for clay and dirt is called Pica. It is important to try and avoid these cravings for two reasons more than just the simple lack of any actual nutritional benefit. One being that if you eat a large amount of clay or dirt, you may diminish the absorption of other important nutrients from the stomach.

The second reason is that consumption of clay or dirt may fill you to the point that you are unable to consume adequate quantities of healthy foods. Also, you should be concerned about the source of the clay or dirt. Some clay and dirt can have very high lead levels.

Consider fulfilling your cravings for clay or dirt by eating other healthy carbohydrate foods like whole grain breads and pastas. I would strongly encourage you to avoid exposure to gasoline odor.

Some cravings can be related to anemia, so if you have not had your hemoglobin checked recently you might discuss this with your provider.

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