Monday, July 12, 2010

I'll Have A SANDwich, Please

I have heard about pica and the odd non-food cravings. With Will, I did have a phase of wanting ice, but it was never overwhelming and I didn't feel bad crunching away on a few cubes here and there.

The past two days, however, I have been wanting. . . dreaming. . . fantasizing. . . about eating SAND.

That's right. Beach sand.

And not just any sand. What I really want is Columbia River beach sand. The type of salty, tangy, gritty stuff I used to get in my mouth (accidentally) as a small child on trips to the river. Now, back then, I didn't get the sand in my mouth on purpose, and it was never very much, but I can clearly remember the feel and taste of it. And I want it again. Bad.

I'd take some sandbox sand right about now, but I seriously cannot stop thinking about eating sand. Of course, I googled it. Normal pica, folks, and they don't know what causes it or how to stop it, but this is definitely one pregnancy craving that I won't be indulging.

I guess I'll have to settle for one of my other loves. Red Vines. In a large tub. It ain't sand, but it'll do.

4 comments:

RoseAnn said...

I've never experienced pica. Would something with similar texture (I'm thinking crushed graham crackers or something similar) help stop the craving or is it a flavor thing as well?

Ms. J said...

I remember watching one of those L&D shows on T.LC and they had a woman on there who was eating sticks of chalk. Really.

I remarked to my husband the other day that I never had any real cravings while pregnant with Peanut. He looked at me like I was crazy and said "Uh, do you have any idea how many PB&J sandwiches I made for you?!"

Katie said...

RoseAnn, my husband had the same thought, so I ate some cinnamon and sugar mixed together. It didn't work, but I might try something saltier today.

Ms. J, the chalk thing would have sounded more strange to me before this sand obsession started. Now, I have to say, I can understand it. It's weird, because logically, I know it's gross, but. . . oh, man.

HereWeGoAJen said...

I know that pica is real and can be a serious problem and I am sure that it is horribly annoying and all, but my first thought was that is awesome. Also, I love that you have a specific kind of sand in mind, it makes it all the more awesome.

The only thing I remember about pica is that some people think it might be because of some kind of deficiency somewhere else. Iron, maybe? What's in sand?