Why Am I Craving Dirt? [And What to Do? Explained!]

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People have cravings for many types of foods all the time, and we hear about all kinds of things that people want, including the strangest foods. On the other hand, this is an altogether other matter when you have a need for dirt. Another shocking fact is that a lot of individuals really want to eat such things and do consume them. So, you may ask:

Why am I craving dirt? If you’re craving dirt, you probably have pica which is an eating disorder when you crave something that isn’t food. Such a disorder can be a symptom of an underlying illness, but it responds to nutrient deficiencies in most cases. So your best bet would be to seek help in cases like this one.

A hunger for dirt is still rather unusual, despite the fact that it does occur in certain individuals. In addition, giving in to a want without first gaining a knowledge of the consequences puts you in a dangerous position. In a nutshell, you have to figure out what it is that makes you want to eat dirt. You will be able to cope with it in this manner without putting your health at risk.

We’ll cover all you need to know about dirt cravings and what to do about them in this post, so make sure you read it all the way through. By doing things in this manner, you can stop any future issues from occurring, and you won’t have to worry about consuming any dirt.

Let’s not waste any more time and get right in, shall we?

einsteineruploaded with. You will be able to conquer them without hurting your health.

When you have a taste for dirt, what does it entail exactly? If you have a taste for dirt, it’s likely because you’re suffering from an underlying sickness or health problem. If this is the case, you should not take it lightly and pay attention to the many things that you may be able to do in order to fix the problem.

Let’s have a peek, shall we?

Pica

Pica, an eating disorder in which individuals have desires for things that aren’t food, is one of the factors that might lead to dirt cravings. Thus, one of the symptoms of this condition is having an uncontrollable need to eat dirt.

Pica may cause cravings for other things than dirt in certain individuals, in addition to the dirt itself. Pebbles, ash, fabric, clay, paper, hair, and chalk are some examples of other things that someone could want.

Anybody is at risk for developing this condition; however, since children consume such a wide variety of foods, the condition is seldom ever detected in youngsters.

While pica may be a symptom of other conditions, such as trichotillomania or schizophrenia, it is important to highlight that pica is a distinct illness in and of itself. Another important point to keep in mind is that pica can occur as a result of other conditions.

Last but not least, there is no clear and undeniable reason why people acquire pica. Nevertheless, many professionals believe that it is a manifestation of a nutritional deficit, and that is the topic that we will discuss next.

Deficiency in Nutrients

The desires for dirt that are characteristic of pica are often the result of an insufficiency of minerals in the body. Your body may want soil if it is lacking one or more of the minerals that it needs since dirt includes a variety of minerals.

Because of this, you need to examine the foods you eat on a regular basis and determine which of them provide you with an adequate amount of minerals and other essential elements.

If this is the case, you can consider taking some supplements to make up for the lack of nutrients or maintaining a diet high in nutrients and good fats in order to forestall or end any subsequent desires for dirt.

Geophagia

Geophagia is the cultural practice of eating soil, also known as geophagia. Even though this is not a true hunger, there is a possibility that it will make you feel as like you want dirt if you have been eating a lot or if you have seen someone else eating.

Geophagia is the practice of eating dirt because adherents to this belief system feel that doing so has a number of positive health effects. For example, some people believe that dirt can:

  • Help solve any digestive issues
  • Develop a softer skin and change the skin tone
  • Offer protection during pregnancy
  • Absorb toxin to prevent or treat an illness

If this is the case, you will still do better if you consume food alternatives, minerals, and vitamin supplements in addition to your regular diet. You won’t be putting your health at danger by eating dirt if you do it this way.

Anemia

If you have anemia, it is likely that you will have a need for dirt, but eating dirt won’t make your symptoms any better. Instead, you should go to your primary care physician and have a blood test to figure out which nutritional supplements you should take.

Clay in your stomach may bind to iron, zinc, and other minerals, and studies shows that geophagy may hinder your capacity to digest these substances, which may make it more difficult for you to absorb their benefits. To phrase it another way, consuming dirt may raise the likelihood of developing anemia.

Because of this, you should steer clear of eating soil and instead look to other food options to satiate your need rather than consuming dirt.

Why am I now wanting dirt?

If you suddenly feel the need to eat dirt, this is a symptom of pica, which is caused by a lack of certain nutrients in the diet. Pica is an eating disorder in which a person has a need for dirt, which may be caused by a lack of certain nutrients or an underlying ailment.

In this situation, the best thing to do would be to look for other options than dirt. In addition to this, you should consider taking some mineral supplements so that you may be sure your body is getting the minerals it needs. That ought to be sufficient to assist you in preventing any more desires for dirt from occurring.

If, after taking all of these precautions, you find that you still have an urge to eat dirt, you should seek the advice of a specialist or determine for yourself if you have a medical condition.

Why am I always desiring dirt?

If you always have the need to eat dirt, you’re probably not getting enough of the minerals your body requires. In most circumstances, you will require iron as well as several other minerals that may be found in soil.

The majority of cravings will go away after they are satisfied, but you won’t be able to do so with dirt since consuming it poses a greater danger to your health.

The best course of action is to look for other sources of nutrition than dirt. In addition, in order to avoid having desires for dirt in the future, you might think about eating something that is healthy and high in minerals.

How can you get rid of your need for dirt?

If you want to get rid of your appetite for dirt, the greatest thing you can do is eat food that has a similar appearance and consistency to dirt. You could, for instance, munch on cereal, crackers, or cookies that have been crushed up. In addition, in order to quit wanting dirt, you need to eat food that is high in minerals.

If you’re having trouble resisting the need to eat dirt, one more thing you can do is confide in a friend or family member you know you can rely on to keep you from succumbing to your desires. Last but not least, if you believe that you need such assistance, you might seek the advice of an expert.

What should you eat if you’re wanting dirt?

If you wish to quit desiring dirt, you may satisfy your need for something similar by eating pulverized cookies instead. You may, for instance, bring some Oreo cookies or other types of cookies with you and consume them after grinding them up.

Continue your cookie replacement until you can do so. In addition to the food alternative that you are consuming, it is recommended that you also consume vitamin and mineral supplements.

This manner, you will be able to receive the appropriate quantity of the nutrients that will prevent you from having cravings for dirt in the future.

Dirt cravings during pregnancy

Why do you feel the need to eat dirt while you’re pregnant? If you have a need for dirt throughout your pregnancy, it’s likely because your body is lacking iron or one of the other nutrients that may be found in soil.

There are some pregnant women who have a longing for dirt, which is a typical example of the pica cravings that are common throughout pregnancy.

Some medical professionals believe that an insufficient amount of iron is to blame for these desires, while others believe that they are the immune system’s reaction to the changes that occur during pregnancy.

No of the cause, the best course of action for you would be to take mineral supplements so that you can be sure you are getting the quantity that your body needs.

In addition, you should make sure that you consume food alternatives rather than dirt since eating dirt might subject you to a variety of health difficulties and hazards.

Dirt cravings before period

Why do you feel the need to eat dirt before you get your period? If you get a need for dirt just before your period, it’s possible that this is because your body needs extra iron.

Those who have heavy periods sometimes have iron deficiency, which means that desires for dirt might be a side effect of this condition.

In this scenario, you really have to go out and get some iron pills in order to get through your next period. Also, it will assist you in warding off desires for dirt in the years to come.

During menstruation, I’m craving dirt.

When you’re supposed to be on your period, why do you want to eat dirt? If you have the urge to dig in the soil during your period, it might be a sign that your body needs more iron. A taste for dirt is one of the potential adverse effects of an iron shortage in women who get heavy periods.

Iron supplements are something you should take if this is the case since they will help you get through your period. In the future, you won’t have the desire to dig in the soil because of this.

Nighttime craving for dirt

Why do you have such a need for dirt at night? If you wake up in the middle of the night desiring dirt, you most likely suffer from anemia and have a deficiency of iron and other minerals in your body.

If this is the case, it would be wise to consume other food alternatives, such as crumbled cookies, in addition to mineral supplements. You would do well to do so.

You’ll be able to satiate your hunger with food that has a similar consistency to what you’re seeking, all while obtaining the nutrients you need from your supplements.

When you’re unwell, you want dirt.

When you’re feeling unwell, why do you want to eat dirt? If you have the urge to eat dirt while you’re unwell, it’s a sign that your body needs extra minerals to help it fight off the sickness.

The majority of the time, you could be suffering from pica desires, which is an eating disorder in which patients seek and consume non-food objects, most often dirt. It is possible that you have anemia, which is causing you to want such things, since some anemic persons eat dirt.

The most effective course of action is to consume certain minerals or foods that are abundant in minerals and other foods that are nutritionally equivalent, such as crushed cookies.

Can you get addicted to dirt?

Although if developing an addiction to dirt is very unlikely, it is nonetheless possible to get dependent on the substance if you do nothing to satisfy your need to use it.

The best course of action is to consume some ground cookies since their consistency and color are quite close to that of dirt. On the other hand, you should receive some supplements to make up for any vitamin deficits you could have in the event that you do have such shortages.

Is a desire for dirt a symptom of pregnancy?

The urge to dig in the soil or play with clay is common among pregnant women. Regrettably, there hasn’t been any clear explanation for why this is happening thus far.

Iron deficiency may be the root cause of desires for pica. These desires, according to a different idea, are a response from the body’s immune system to the changes that occur during pregnancy.

Dirt cravings are one of the possible side effects of pregnancy; nevertheless, they are not a reliable indicator of pregnancy since they may occur in anybody.

Is it possible to consume too much dirt?

It is possible to consume an unhealthy amount of dirt, which is not a very desirable state of affairs. Eating dirt exposes you to a number of health hazards, including parasites, germs, and heavy metals that are hazardous.

In addition, a high potassium blood level may be caused by too much potassium in the soil, which can increase the likelihood of cardiac arrhythmias and cardiac arrest.

To summarize, you should avoid eating dirt at all costs since doing so may put your health at risk and cause a number of difficulties.

Commonly Asked Questions

The following are some responses to queries that are posed rather often concerning dirt and its desires.

What does emotionally wanting dirt mean?

Having an emotional desire is not usually related with having a taste for dirt. Having said that, it is of the utmost importance to bear this option in mind. Yet, appetites for dirt might be triggered by emotions.

Recognizing the existence of such a need might be considered a sort of self-medication. For instance, if you observe other people around you eating dirt, you could have the urge to eat it yourself. In addition, gratifying this need may improve your mood, or, to put it another way, can lead to happiness.

What ailment makes you want dirt?

Most dirt appetites arise from nutrient deficits. In the majority of instances, you most likely suffer from anemia or iron deficiency anemia.

Eating dirt might be beneficial if you have iron deficiency anemia and are looking for a treatment. Yet, despite the fact that soil contains minerals and nutrients, it is not healthy to take them into your body in any form.

Desiring dirt and ice

Pica is a condition in which patients feel the need to satisfy their hunger by eating non-food objects, such as dirt or ice. While these two symptoms are distinct, they are both linked to anemia; thus, if you have symptoms of both, it is likely that your body is deficient in iron.

Pica is a hunger for and the act of chewing on objects that have no nutritional value, such as ice, clay, dirt, or paper. The term is used in the field of medicine. Although while the cause of iron deficiency, with or without anemia, is often related with ice seeking and chewing (pagophagia), it is not entirely understood why this occurs.

How can you fulfill your need for dirt?

The most effective strategy for satiating cravings for dirt is to nibble on food substitutes that have textures that are analogous to soil, such as crushed or ground cookies. In the meanwhile, you may want to consider taking some mineral supplements since your appetite could be the result of a mineral shortage in your body.

If you are having problems avoiding dirt on your own, telling a trusted friend or family member about your desires may allow you to get assistance from them. Consume or chew items that are visually and texturally comparable to one another. For instance, a cookie, cereal, or cracker that has been finely powdered could be able to assist you fulfill your desires.

Vitamin insufficiency craving dirt

A deficiency of minerals in the body may lead to pica, which in turn can lead to a desire to eat dirt. If your body is lacking in particular minerals, you may have a need for dirt as a symptom of the deficiency.

As a consequence of this, you should evaluate your present diet to determine which, if any of the foods you eat, provide you with an adequate amount of minerals and nutrients.

It is advised that you take some supplements to compensate for it or that you keep a good and balanced diet in order to avoid additional desires for dirt. Both of these options are available to you.

Summary

In a nutshell, cravings for dirt may stem from a wide variety of diseases and factors that are connected to one’s health. If you like the taste of dirt, this might be a sign that you have pica, which is an eating disorder in which a person craves substances other than food.

In some circumstances, vitamin shortages are the root cause of this sickness; nonetheless, it is possible for it to be a sign of a more serious ailment. If you find yourself in such a predicament, the most sensible thing for you to do is to ask for assistance.

Although if some individuals do develop a yearning for dirt, it is still rather uncommon. If you give in to this urge without first gaining an awareness of what it is, you place yourself in a dangerous situation.

To put it another way, you need to get to the bottom of what’s driving your appetites. You will be able to prevail over them without putting your wellbeing in jeopardy if you do so.

  • Craving Cornstarch
  • Craving Eggs
  • Craving Flour
  • Craving Ice
  • Craving Salt

FAQs

What to do when you crave dirt?

Handling Dirt Cravings
You should have a buddy hold you responsible for your actions.
Inform your doctor.
Check to see that you are receiving enough iron, vitamins, and other nutrients in your diet.
Pick something else to chew, like gum or mints, instead.
Nov 15, 2021

Is craving dirt normal?

Pica is a condition in which an individual has a need for items that have little to no nutritional value. The majority of the desires associated with pica and pregnancy involve inedible things such as chalk or dirt.

What does eating dirt do to your body?

When you swallow dirt, you run the risk of developing constipation or an intestinal obstruction. Several things have the potential to induce stomach discomfort, and it may be severe. In the event that pollutants are present in the soil, the symptoms may potentially be caused by the chemicals themselves.

How can I satisfy my pica cravings?

Iron-deficiency Anemia and poor nutrition are two of the most prevalent underlying medical conditions associated with pica. Hence, cravings for pica are indicators that the body is searching for more nutrients. In some instances, the condition known as pica may be treated with vitamins, supplements, and a nutritious diet.

Does Low iron make you crave dirt?

Possibly. Pica is a condition in which a person craves and chews on objects that have no nutritional value, such as ice, mud, dirt, or paper. Physicians use the name “pica” to characterize this condition. Having a need to chew ice, also known as pagophagia, is often linked to iron deficiency, with or without anemia; however, the explanation for this association is unknown.

Do people with iron deficiency crave dirt?

It’s possible that you didn’t get enough iron as a child since you consumed a lot of dirt. According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, patients with severe iron deficiencies frequently have an insatiable appetite for inedible substances such as dirt, clay, cornstarch, paint chips, cardboard, and cleaning supplies. Researchers are still attempting to determine the reasons behind this phenomenon.

What causes soil craving?

The development of a desire to eat dirt is being linked to low iron levels in women, which is a condition that may be remedied by a physician. Eating dirt is a habit that is caused by low iron levels and has the potential for harm.

What are the 3 types of pica?

In humans, pica may be broken down into a wide variety of subtypes, each of which is identified by the kind of drug that is consumed. Geophagia, which refers to eating dirt, mud, or clay; pagophagia, which refers to eating ice; and starch eating are three of the most prevalent varieties of pica (amylophagia).

Does dirt have iron?

The consumption of dirt by humans and other animals is sometimes justified on the grounds that it provides essential minerals, such as calcium, salt, and iron, that are necessary for the body to carry out activities such as the generation of energy and the maintenance of other critical functions.

Is dirt good for your gut?

That’s right, a speck or two of grime every so then is a healthy addition to your diet. The oral and gut microbiomes may both benefit from the inclusion of a wider variety of bacteria and minerals, which can be found in soil. It is a less expensive and more reliable method of gaining access to helpful bacteria that are “probiotic-like.”