Pica and food cravings
Pica, the practice of consuming nonfood substances (e.g.,
clay, dirt, and laundry starch) or excessive amounts of foodstuffs low in nutritional value (e.g., cornstarch, ice, baking
powder, and baking soda), is often influenced by the woman's
cultural background (Fig.Regular and heavy consumption of low-nutrient
products may cause more nutritious foods to be displaced
from the diet, and the items consumed may interfere with the
absorption of nutrients, especially minerals.Women with pica
have lower hemoglobin levels than those without pica. 10-3).