Pregnancy cravings are difficult to handle. Sometimes, they are weird. Generally, pregnant women are fond of junk foods, packaged items, or street-style foods. They are not recommended, yet they would fall for them. But do you feel like having a slate pencil or chalk? Or do you have a habit of eating slate pencils? This is the most controversial practice gaining attention in recent years.
Definitely, slate pencil eating is unhealthy and not safe for your gut health. Some pregnant women literally crave for it. So, in this blog we’ll discuss the impacts of having slate pencils during pregnancy.
Why Do Some Pregnant Women Crave Slate Pencils?
Pregnant women have a condition called pica, which makes them crave for unusual or weird things like slate pencils or chalk. Beyond food cravings, this abnormal desire causes 1 in 10 women to eat non-food items. Pica is not a disease to treat, it happens when your body needs more nutrients. Some notable reasons for pica include:
Nutritional deficiencies: Your body tries to compensate for the lack of minerals and vitamins through the cravings for unusual things. If you would like to have an ice cream, it is a sign of a lack of calcium in your body.
Underlying illness: In some cases, pica cravings can also be a sign of existing mental or physical illness.
Heightened Senses: Women go through a lot of hormonal changes, which makes their sense of taste and smell more sensitive. It may cause unusual cravings and aversions.
What Happens If You Eat Slate Pencils During Pregnancy?
Slate pencil eating is strictly not recommended for pregnant women. When you crave such kinds of things, consult your professional to seek medical advice. The materials or ingredients used in the slate pencil harm you and your developing fetus. Here’s how:
Digestive Issues: Slate pencils are abrasive and can cause irritation in your digestive tract and can lead to discomfort or intestinal blockage. It harms your regular routine and makes you feel painful.
Contamination: Slate pencils are made of harmful bacteria or substances, which cause severe impacts to both the mother and unborn fetus. In some cases, it may react negatively to the medications you are having.
Mineral Imbalance: Other than materials, slate pencils also contain some minerals like calcium. Consuming them in large quantities can lead to uncovering an imbalance in mineral intake and other impacts during pregnancy.
Possible Reasons Behind Slate Pencil Cravings in Pregnancy
As stated earlier, pica is a condition that exists in all women during pregnancy. In rare cases, it makes them crave non-food substances like slate pencils or chalk.
This can be a symptom of various underlying causes like psychological issues, nutritional deficiencies, or physical and mental illness. Addressing such things earlier can improve health and overall well-being.
Nutritional Deficiencies Linked to Slate Pencil Cravings
Yes, nutritional deficiencies are also a reason that may cause a pregnant woman to crave slate pencils and chalk. Researchers have identified that it can be linked to low iron and low zinc levels.
Pica, on the other hand, may also contribute to cravings for non-food items, including obsessive-compulsive behaviours, food insecurity, and hunger pain.
Safer Alternatives to Manage Unusual Pregnancy Cravings
Here are some safer ways listed to control your unusual pregnancy cravings:
Consume Healthy Foods: Try to replace your non-food cravings with healthier options like low-fat chips, pretzels, or popcorn. You can also give it a try with baked oatmeal instead of whole wheat pasta, danishes, or white pasta.
Prefer Nutritious Items: Expand your calories from nutritious foods like low-fat or fat-free dairy products, lean meats, nuts, whole grain breads, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. It improves your energy and overall well-being.
Satisfy Sweet Cravings: Sweet cravings are quite common, especially for chocolates, cakes, and ice creams. Instead of processed foods, you can consume fresh fruits like mango slices and berries. Try to include natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey at an average level.
Satisfy Pickle Cravings: It is okay to consume pickles in your meal, but be mindful of quantity. Too much salt and spiciness can worsen the water retention.
Importance of Consulting a Healthcare Provider
Though unusual cravings are common during pregnancy, it’s important to seek personalized advice from your healthcare provider. As stated above, it may be due to the deficiency of vitamins or minerals in your body. When you crave non-food items, satisfy your taste buds with safer alternatives. Here are some general tips to take care of your health:
- Always listen to your body.
- Eat regular and healthy meals.
- Stay hydrated.
- Consult your doctor about your unusual cravings
In a Word
Slate pencil cravings are weird, but they are common among certain pregnant ladies. They are abrasive and cause severe irritation in the stomach. Pregnant women are advised to consult their healthcare specialist when they feel cravings for non-food items. It helps them diagnose the causes early and suggest appropriate solutions. In general, you can seek alternative healthy items like fruits, vegetables, and homemade snacks.
FAQs
No, consuming slate pencils or chalk can lead to uncovering various health risks such as digestive issues, mineral imbalances, and potential harm to the mother and developing fetus. It is important to intake healthy foods instead of non-food items.
Cravings for non-food items can be a sign of pica. It is a condition or eating disorder caused by a number of factors, including:
- Underlying physical or mental illness
- Cultural exposure and
- Nutritional deficiencies
Yes, eating harmful contaminants like slate pencils can create adverse effects on pregnancy. It may lead to nutritional deficiency and other critical complications for both the mother and unborn fetus.
You can consider safe and alternative healthier options like fruits, vegetables, low-fat meals, and nuts. Compensate for your sugar, salt, and crunchy cravings with natural items like honey, dark chocolate, herbs, whole-grain crackers, citrus fruits, and air-popped popcorn.
No, consuming slate pencils or chalk can lead to uncovering various health risks such as digestive issues, mineral imbalances, and potential harm to the mother and developing fetus. It is important to intake healthy foods instead of non-food items.
Cravings for non-food items can be a sign of pica. It is a condition or eating disorder caused by a number of factors, including:
- Underlying physical or mental illness
- Cultural exposure and
- Nutritional deficiencies
Yes, eating harmful contaminants like slate pencils can create adverse effects on pregnancy. It may lead to nutritional deficiency and other critical complications for both the mother and unborn fetus.
You can consider safe and alternative healthier options like fruits, vegetables, low-fat meals, and nuts. Compensate for your sugar, salt, and crunchy cravings with natural items like honey, dark chocolate, herbs, whole-grain crackers, citrus fruits, and air-popped popcorn.
