Ice cravings?

elphie754
elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
edited November 15 in Food and Nutrition
Ever since week 10-11 of my pregnancy, all my drinks have to be ice cold. Starting around week 20, I started getting intense craving for chewing on ice. I know it's weird, but fonsome reason I find myself chewing on the ice in my drink.

I'm sure this is t healthy for my teeth, since ice is so hard. Anyone else experience this? Did it eventually go away? Is it actually an issue or should I just not worry about it and enjoy my ice?


ETA-anemia has been ruled out.
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Replies

  • EricaCraigie
    EricaCraigie Posts: 1,396 Member
    Maybe try snow cones/slushies
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    I think chewing on ice can be a sign of anemia? It might be another deficiency. I'd give your OB's office a call and see what they think.

    I definitely could be wrong so hopefully someone else has ideas :)

    ~Lyssa
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    EricaCraigie wrote: »
    Maybe try snow cones/slushies

    It's just not the same lol.
    macgurlnet wrote: »
    I think chewing on ice can be a sign of anemia? It might be another deficiency. I'd give your OB's office a call and see what they think.

    I definitely could be wrong so hopefully someone else has ideas :)

    ~Lyssa

    I had heard that as well, but everything in blood work is normal and no deficiencies present, but I haven't specifically asked them about the weird craving.
  • macgurlnet
    macgurlnet Posts: 1,946 Member
    elphie754 wrote: »
    EricaCraigie wrote: »
    Maybe try snow cones/slushies

    It's just not the same lol.
    macgurlnet wrote: »
    I think chewing on ice can be a sign of anemia? It might be another deficiency. I'd give your OB's office a call and see what they think.

    I definitely could be wrong so hopefully someone else has ideas :)

    ~Lyssa

    I had heard that as well, but everything in blood work is normal and no deficiencies present, but I haven't specifically asked them about the weird craving.

    Oh good. I'd figured you'd ruled out deficiencies but wanted to put that out there.

    Hope you get a "real" answer!

    ~Lyssa
  • E6165
    E6165 Posts: 10 Member
    I'm extremely anemic, and have always craved ice. It's one of the symptoms of anemia. Have your doctor check your hemoglobin.
  • Reaverie
    Reaverie Posts: 405 Member
    My son LOVES ice and always has. It drives me crazy. If he isnt chewing on ice he is chewing on his SHIRT! I call him "You damn goat!" Nothing wrong with him. Daughter is anemic and HATES cold anything. But then, she claims to be cold even in 90 degree whether.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    E6165 wrote: »
    I'm extremely anemic, and have always craved ice. It's one of the symptoms of anemia. Have your doctor check your hemoglobin.

    All blood work has been fine.
    Reaverie wrote: »
    My son LOVES ice and always has. It drives me crazy. If he isnt chewing on ice he is chewing on his SHIRT! I call him "You damn goat!" Nothing wrong with him. Daughter is anemic and HATES cold anything. But then, she claims to be cold even in 90 degree whether.

    Haha, thankfully I don't chew on my shirt.


    SOs think it is just my weird "pickles and ice cream" pregnancy craving.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    chewing ice is a sign of being anemic. its also PICA since it has no nutritional value.so it could just be pica. could be a lot worse than craving ice.
  • Reaverie
    Reaverie Posts: 405 Member
    elphie754 wrote: »
    E6165 wrote: »
    I'm extremely anemic, and have always craved ice. It's one of the symptoms of anemia. Have your doctor check your hemoglobin.

    All blood work has been fine.
    Reaverie wrote: »
    My son LOVES ice and always has. It drives me crazy. If he isnt chewing on ice he is chewing on his SHIRT! I call him "You damn goat!" Nothing wrong with him. Daughter is anemic and HATES cold anything. But then, she claims to be cold even in 90 degree whether.

    Haha, thankfully I don't chew on my shirt.


    SOs think it is just my weird "pickles and ice cream" pregnancy craving.

    Mine was bacon egg and jelly sandwhiches with my son. Squid and french dip sandwhiches.. sometimes combined.. with my daughter.

    Maybe you are just practicing for delivery when all they give you during labor is ice chips!
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Bacon, egg and jelly??? I can't even imagine lol.
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    I craved and crunched ice with both my pregnancies. I would get crushed ice from the freezer dispenser and munch it all day long.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    Definitely sounds like pregnancy-induced pica; it's not terribly uncommon. I craved ice during one of my pregnancies as well. If you live near a Sonic Drive-In (probably not but worth a shot - they are a dime a dozen around here), they have amazing ice for chewing (won't break your teeth) and sell it by the bag. Mine went away - funny, I've barely even thought about it since then!
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    I didnt have cravings with either of my pregnancies,hubby had the cravings lol.
  • EllaLeahB
    EllaLeahB Posts: 310 Member
    I was the same way when I was pregnant with my daughter, I wanted cold everything. Smoothies, ice cream and especially crushed ice.I even took a mallet to ice cubes. :D
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,227 Member
    Your teeth should be fine with chewing ice, unless you already have some inherent weakness. Ice is hard, but it's not as hard as your teeth!
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    For those saying ya PICA relates-isn't it still technically a food item?
  • losergood2011
    losergood2011 Posts: 172 Member
    it can be a sign of anemia - just let your doc know next time you see him or her :-)
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    losergood2011 wrote: »
    it can be a sign of anemia - just let your doc know next time you see him or her :-)

    Read above.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    elphie754 wrote: »
    For those saying ya PICA relates-isn't it still technically a food item?

    pica is the craving for something with no nutrient value to it. ice has no nutrients.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    For those saying ya PICA relates-isn't it still technically a food item?

    pica is the craving for something with no nutrient value to it. ice has no nutrients.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982

    So wouldn't craving ice water technically be PICA?
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    elphie754 wrote: »
    CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    For those saying ya PICA relates-isn't it still technically a food item?

    pica is the craving for something with no nutrient value to it. ice has no nutrients.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982

    So wouldn't craving ice water technically be PICA?

    maybe unless it would be considered a sign of being dehydrated. dont know where that fine line would be lol
  • markrgeary1
    markrgeary1 Posts: 853 Member
    I'll confess ice is not good for your teeth.
    I've heard the same as you've had checked out. Good luck.
  • yayamom3
    yayamom3 Posts: 939 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    Definitely sounds like pregnancy-induced pica; it's not terribly uncommon. I craved ice during one of my pregnancies as well. If you live near a Sonic Drive-In (probably not but worth a shot - they are a dime a dozen around here), they have amazing ice for chewing (won't break your teeth) and sell it by the bag. Mine went away - funny, I've barely even thought about it since then!

    Sonic ice for the win!
  • demorelli
    demorelli Posts: 508 Member
    Ask your doctor to check your iron. If the test comes back fine then there should be nothing to worry about
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    demorelli wrote: »
    Ask your doctor to check your iron. If the test comes back fine then there should be nothing to worry about

    she said her iron levels were fine
  • Alyssa_Is_LosingIt
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt Posts: 4,696 Member
    @elphie754 You know, I heard that craving ice is a sign of anemia - you should probably get that checked out!


    jk, I read the thread :lol:

    I have always loved ice. I had bouts of anemia when I was a teenager, but I don't have that problem anymore and I still love ice. Our ice maker at work has the good ice (like Sonic mentioned above) that won't hurt your teeth. If you can find a restaurant that has the softer, smaller ice pellets, you could go there and see if they sell ice.

    I like the idea of slushies, too - maybe blend yourself some virgin margaritas!
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    CharlieBeansmomTracey wrote: »
    elphie754 wrote: »
    For those saying ya PICA relates-isn't it still technically a food item?

    pica is the craving for something with no nutrient value to it. ice has no nutrients.http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/iron-deficiency-anemia/expert-answers/chewing-ice/faq-20057982

    So wouldn't craving ice water technically be PICA?

    maybe unless it would be considered a sign of being dehydrated. dont know where that fine line would be lol

    Lol. Kind of weird logic.
    markrgeary1 wrote: »
    I'll confess ice is not good for your teeth.
    I've heard the same as you've had checked out. Good luck.

    Yeah-that's my biggest fear, so have been trying to have small, easily chewed ice.
    yayamom3 wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    Definitely sounds like pregnancy-induced pica; it's not terribly uncommon. I craved ice during one of my pregnancies as well. If you live near a Sonic Drive-In (probably not but worth a shot - they are a dime a dozen around here), they have amazing ice for chewing (won't break your teeth) and sell it by the bag. Mine went away - funny, I've barely even thought about it since then!

    Sonic ice for the win!

    Like bagged ice or icee drinks?
    demorelli wrote: »
    Ask your doctor to check your iron. If the test comes back fine then there should be nothing to worry about

    Not trying to be rude but *face palm*, already answered this.

  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Alyssa_Is_LosingIt wrote: »
    @elphie754 You know, I heard that craving ice is a sign of anemia - you should probably get that checked out!


    jk, I read the thread :lol:

    I have always loved ice. I had bouts of anemia when I was a teenager, but I don't have that problem anymore and I still love ice. Our ice maker at work has the good ice (like Sonic mentioned above) that won't hurt your teeth. If you can find a restaurant that has the softer, smaller ice pellets, you could go there and see if they sell ice.

    I like the idea of slushies, too - maybe blend yourself some virgin margaritas!

    Oh you....
    pklqrbzlkswm.jpg


    We have small ice cube trays but it's still pretty hard. Going to ask SO to maybe get a bag on the way home (which im sure he will thinknia even weirder lol).

    Best thing ever-Starbucks sells their flavored syrups online now so I've been making decaf peppermint white chocolate mocha frappachinos. I am definitely addicted to them lol.
  • Emily3907
    Emily3907 Posts: 1,461 Member
    I would ask the doc if he/she sees anything wrong with it. But, if it were me, I would keep crunching on the ice. As far as cravings go, I think you have been blessed with this one. Extra hydration for you and baby and zero calories. win-win.
  • elphie754
    elphie754 Posts: 7,574 Member
    Emily3907 wrote: »
    I would ask the doc if he/she sees anything wrong with it. But, if it were me, I would keep crunching on the ice. As far as cravings go, I think you have been blessed with this one. Extra hydration for you and baby and zero calories. win-win.

    I agree!! I have a ton of food adversions but luckily just this one weird craving.
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