What do you crave when you have low iron

Diet & Nutrition

By Susan Keenan

Reviewed: November 15, 2017

Are you crunching ice?  Are you thinking about your next ice fix and the satisfying feeling that goes along with it?  Have you ever wondered why you suddenly feel the need to chew on ice chips instead of popping a piece of gum or candy into your mouth?Quite possibly, you have iron deficiency anemia and your craving ice points to this.  A visit to your doctor and a simple test can verify or disprove this for you.  Almost 50 % of all pregnant women and about 20 % of other women are iron deficient.  Yet, only approximately 3 % of all men are iron deficient.In general, women store smaller supplies of iron than men and they are prone to iron loss due to menstruation.  This simply means that women need to be more vigilant about their iron intake and absorption.  It’s actually a lot easier than you might think.Iron deficiency anemia is an easy illness to overlook.  The symptoms mimic a lot of symptoms for other conditions.  You probably don’t even realize that you have it until it is brought to your attention, quite possibly when you inform your doctor that you walk around craving ice all of the time.Craving and chewing ice can be a symptom of iron deficiency anemia, the most common form of anemia.  The medical world uses the term, pagophagia, to label the craving and chewing of ice.  It’s a lot easier just to say the phrase, craving ice, so that’s what we’ll do.  Once the iron deficiency is cleared up, the cravings for ice typically go away.

For some reason, this iron deficiency causes a person to crave and crunch ice.  In addition to the fact that there is no nutritional value whatsoever to ice in the first place, your dentist will most likely kick up a fuss if he or she hears that you have been chomping on ice in any form, crushed or cubed, simply because you have developed a craving for it.  Therefore, it really is best to get to the root of the problem and nip this habit in the bud, so to speak.Iron is a necessary component of blood.  It enables our blood to carry oxygen effectively so that our bodies have a sufficient supply to complete their daily bodily functions.  In fact, oxygen is necessary for every single cell in our bodies to function in the manner for which they are designed.In particular, the deficiency in iron can be caused by a number of things.  Poor dietary intake can result in the poor absorption of iron.  Specifically, a diet that does not contain a healthy balance of nutrients can easily lead to an iron deficiency.Consistently binging on crash diets can also reduce the body’s intake and absorption of iron further depleting stored quantities.  A limited access to fresh foods in a variety of types might also lead to a lack of iron intake.  Finicky eaters can easily take themselves down the path of poor iron intake.  Moreover, limited budgets and limited resources can impinge upon the types of foods that an individual eats.

In fact, both tea and coffee are known to reduce the absorption of iron.  Therefore, if a woman indulges in too many lattes and espressos throughout her day, the result can be iron poor blood.  Excessive blood loss can also affect the amount of iron stored in the human body.Did you know that heavy menstrual periods over several months could lead to iron deficiency?  Are you aware that blood donations on a regular basis could deplete your body’s store of iron?  What about chronic disorders such as peptic ulcers or cancer of the large intestine?  These conditions can also lead to poor iron absorption and retention.In fact, athletes and women who work out vigorously on a regular basis also need to be aware that they are at risk for iron deficiency.  Regular workouts increase the need for iron.  This is due partly to the fact that the body experiences an increase in red blood cell production during hard exercise workouts and partly to the fact that iron is excreted through perspiration.Another common cause of iron deficiency is the intake of specific medications including aspirin.  Unfortunately, excessive vitamin E and zinc intake can also negatively impact the absorption of iron.  This does not mean that you should eliminate these things from your diet.  Instead, take an active part in maintaining your levels of iron by incorporating new foods into your diet or by eating larger portions of iron rich foods.

Obviously, other causes of iron deficiency anemia do exist.  These are simply the most common ones.  It’s important to understand that two different types of iron are available for our consumption- heme and non-heme iron.  Heme iron is readily found in animal foods.  Non-heme iron is found in plant foods and is harder for the body to absorb.  This is important to understand when trying to maintain a favorable intake of iron rich foods.This odd behavior of wanting to chew something that has absolutely no nutritional value at all is often referred to as “pica.”  People also have a tendency to chew other items that have no nutritional value including paper and clay.  However, you won’t have your dentist jumping up and down as much because he or she won’t be able to see the telltale signs of minor cracks in your teeth.A medical examination by a licensed doctor can determine whether any underlying medical conditions exist.  If none are found, then a trip to the family psychologist is in order.Pica can also be a symptom of emotional problems.  Stress can trigger this behavior, as can obsessive-compulsive disorder and developmental disorder.  If the craving of ice has been triggered by a developmental or emotional disorder, then therapy might be required.  Some therapists treat pica through cognitive behavior therapy when the cause of craving ice is not nutritional, but rather, it is emotional.

If you want to increase your intake of iron, simply incorporate any of these changes to your diet:Add liver to your diet, including beef or chicken. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables, taking care to select several different varieties, especially those that include Vitamin C.Decrease your consumption of coffee and tea.Eat a portion of fish, poultry, or meat every day.Eat 3 to 4 servings of red meat each week.Probably the most important thing you need to do is to eat a balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients.  Avoid things that will block the absorption of iron such as caffeine, zinc, and Vitamin E.  Try to maintain a healthy routine without overdoing it.  Remember that too much exercise can mean too little iron.Counteract the depletion of your stores of iron with a few of the options above or you will be craving ice before you know it, chewing on ice as soon as you find it, and watching your dentist resist his new found craving to bury your head in a bucket of ice.  Seriously, though, remember that any change in your diet can result in a change in your health.  It’s up to you to make sure that it’s a healthy one.Always Consult Your Physician First
Although it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

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