The fiercest pregnancy craving I’ve had this time around is cold, loud, and, shockingly, calorie-free. It’s ice.
I have been crunching my way through a big bag every week. I eat it plain, with a spoon. I fill up a glass with cubes, then pour a little fruit juice over them and chew till my teeth are numb. I grind it up in the blender until it looks like snow and then make smoothies with it. I can’t stop the ice.
A few people have told me that craving ice is a sign that the body’s iron stores are low, which makes absolutely no sense to me. If my iron were low, wouldn’t I be craving a t-bone steak?
It’s just starting to get hot here and I have a feeling that my ice addiction will continue to prevail as I try to make it through the summer with another human growing in my body.
So, ice is where it’s at. It turns out that cookies are also where it’s at. I figure since the ice is non-caloric, I gotta get them somewhere.
24 Comments
I had the same craving with my last pregnancy! Crushed ice is the best.
I had the exact same craving with Ava. I ate it all the time. Even in the dead of winter, I would freeze, but be oh so happy crunching away.
I had a good time with you today. We should get together soon.
I had that with my last pregnancy – I think it means you’re low on iron.
Aaah, be careful with those ice cravings. I cracked a tooth doing that, and that was NOT FUN!
I was obsessed (!) with Slush Puppies. No Slurpee or slush would do – only the good ole Slush Puppie with 2 squirts of watermelon syrup!
It is called Pica…a non-nutritive food craving. It does mean your body is craving something…i had it with my first pregnancy, even though i have killer sensitive teeth! My midwive told me she had patients who craved soil and laundry detergent…ice isn’t so bad!!!
I was addicted to slushies when I was pregnant. Especially the ones from Dairy Queen.
I agree – you gotta chow down on cookies to make up for the unfattening ice!
Same thing with me. I went through so much ice at the hospital after I had him that my husband was getting embarrased going to the ice machine.
I also had gestational diabetes so ice = thirst. Watch those sugars :)
it’s actually called pagophagia and i had it while i was pregnant. it totally was an obsession that went away the day i had isabella. it was funny!
I have to chime in here- your ice craving could be nothing other than a way to beat the summer heat, but definitely mention it at your dr’s appt. It CAN mean you are low on iron or some other nutrient. So just promise us that you’ll mention it, JUST IN CASE, ok?, and we can stop telling you what you already know. =)
Juice and ice sounds good to me.
I craved cake. HA!
oh mango. i love you! you always bring a smile to my face! after k & m’s wedding, we were driving home and mo says to me, “has amanda always been that hilarious?” and i smiled and said, “yes!” gosh, it was good to see you again!
ps-still preggers over here! 6 days ’til the due date!
Yeah it’s a form of Pica. It does have to do with iron and it usually rears it’s head near the end of pregnancy.
I have been ADDICTED to Slurpees (you guys probably call them Slushees? Or Icees?) throughout this pregnancy. That, and all things lemon-related.
I was the same way. Ice, ice, ice, ice all the time. We have a crushed ice button on our fridge. Second that baby popped out I couldn’t stand it for it became too cold.
Hmmm.
Yay for calorie free cravings!
Schist, I wish I could say I craved something like ice. No, just caramel corn, s’mores, and pie (specifically strawberry rhubarb). And anything chocolate. And cool whip. Anything lemony or lime. Or orange flavored. There’s more. I just can’t think of it right now and I’m thinking it’s about time for a snack.
Mmmm…crushed ice…
We need a play date this week. If you bring the crushed ice, I’ll bring the Diet Coke ;)
The thought of chewing on ice right now makes me want to cringe. But, during both of my pregnancies I could not get enough. Crunching on ice was soothing and I had to have. A few days after the babes were out the craving was gone.
Note that I had the craving with both pregnancies but only one did I have low iron and protein stores.
Ice is always good! Definately a bonus that it’s low on the calories!!!
Oh, I SO understand and am thankful that you are so much more eloquent than I am. I can’t seem to explain this phenomenon to ANYONE–husband included. He just cringes everytime I crunch down. My favorite is the ice from the IKEA in Seattle, which is sort of problematic since we live in Spokane, WA (about a 6 hour drive). :( A girlfriend in Atlanta, GA, swears that ice from Sonic is good…. though I don’t know. Typically, I go thru Starbucks inside my grocery store and ask for 4 giant cups of ice and go thru those daily. I’ve never tried it from the bag. I did find though that Dryer’s Fruit Bars (No Sugar Added) are soft, yet crunchy enough to fulfil the need for frozen in my mouth.
Good luck to you thru the rest of your prenancy!
Oh and PS: I just had my iron count taken….. I’m way high and this is a true addiction for me. My husband is just hoping it’ll break after this pregancy is over (36 days to go!)
love!
Amy
I fell in love with my ice-producing fridge last pregnancy. And I don’t munch the crushed ice anymore but still enjoy icy water all day at home!
Gosh, I thank you for this post. Only mere days after I read it I got the worst flu and couldn’t eat or drink anything. I got my husband to “make” me some crushed ice with a little bit of juice (did I mention I also have gestational diabetes? This might, in fact, have to be my ice cream substitute…if ever there could be one). That was the only nourishment my poor baby got. A kicking baby on a very, VERY empty stomach is pretty much a horrible feeling.
So anyways, kudos on your addiction. It helped me cope!
Dear Amanda,
Consider this your apology note for my lack of commenting. Life is…well…you will see in just a few weeks. It does not mean I don’t love you above all Canadians. It doesn’t mean that I don’t think you are adorable in your belly shots. It doesn’t mean that I think Avelyn is a spitfire version of you and I laugh when I hear your descriptions of her faces and your commentary on her.
I promise to be present in your life for that is what bloggin BFF’s do. Please accept my apology with a big ass load of ice on top!
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