Trying to Find Answers Re: Ice Cravings in a 32 Year Old.

Why are you so concerned about this person eating ice? Are they bothering you? If so then simply let the person know.

Honestly, from an outsiders point of view, I would be more concerned that you're coming to a website telling people this person has PICA when it's perfectly normal for people to eat ice. PICA is more commonly when a person (pregnant or not) craves things out of the ordinary with no nutritional value. Ice, although it has no nutritional value in one sense, does offer water which the body needs.

Hi J.,
I used to crave ice and it was mainly because I am anemic and by body needed Iron. When I satarted taking the Iron tablets the craving stopped. I ate the ice so much the enamel wore off on one of my teeth and I got a cavity. Hope I was helpful.

One of my co-workers did (does) the same thing. It is supposed to be linked to an iron deficiency. She may want to have a doctor do some lab work.

I am a former Respiratory Therapist and now a senior midwife student. Your friend is anemic. When someone craves ice this is a sure sign that their iron is low. She needs to go to a health food store and pick up a bottle of kelated iron. This type of iron is food based and does not have the bad side effects of regular iron tablets.

Lisa

Sometimes people who are anemic crave ice. She should have her hemoglobin and hematocrit checked by her doctor. My MIL had this problem.

This is not pica. Pica is when you are pregnant and you crave dirt, clay and other weird things like that.
Craving ice cubes is a sign of being anemic, having a low blood count. I recommend that person get a simple blood test to check the hemoglobin to make sure it is where it should be.

people who are anemic crave ice. I used to crave it when I was pregnant and I was always border line anemic. Last year my brother in law became anemic from giving blood to often and he started craving ice. Anyway that would be the first thing she should check out.

Good morning,

Well, years ago I would do the same thing for a long while. I waited tables at the time and actually had a cup of ice at ALL times in my apron. What I found is that it is the effects of iron defiencency. I believe if she takes iron supplements it should reduce that craving. I do recall loving the actual chewing as well but good to say I stopped, which saved my teeth a few more years. Hope this helps and Merry Christmas

M.

Wow, chewing ice cracks teeth... How many crowns are in your coworker's mouth? Crowns cost about $800 without dental insurance... About $400 with. That would be enough to get me incentivized to chew gum instead. Winter-fresh flavor should provide that 'cool' sensation. Although excessive gum chewing can lead to TMJ (joint issue with your jaw).

You could suggest chewing on slices of frozen bananas first, then switch to gum... Going cold turkey to something usually sets someone up for failure. Go gradually.

Needs more iron, a good easy source is raisins.

i would have his blood checked to make sure iron is the issue and not something more serious.

When I was pregnant, it took about 8 or 9 bags of ice before the Dr told me I needed some iron. I will bet money that she doesnt want to eat "hot" things either. She needs some leafy greens and red meat, (anything high in iron) It only takes a day or so and the ice crunching will be gone. I dont believe in taking pills/supplements. Nothin' better that the real thing!!! (in my opinion)

Margaret :)

Hi J.,

I guess I don't understand what the problem is with your co-worker wanting ice except that the crunching would bother you. After reading the responses about her being low on iron I am amazed at how smart you ladies are!

Confused,
C.

Has she craved ice for very long? Is she pregnant? My doctor has me taking iron pills when I was excessively craving ice while pregnant.

My mother use to crave ice and ate it all the time, she hated it but could not stop. Her doctor tested her and her blood count was at a n 8 and they told her that a 7 was when they normally give a blood transfusion. It can be very serious or it could be nothing at all. If you are concerned about your coworker you should let her know she might want to get tested just to be sure.

She should probably get her iron checked. When my iron was low, I craved ice like crazy( to the point of my teeth hurting from eating so much.) After taking iron supplements and stopping the source of anemia, I don't crave it at all.
Blessings,
D.

So what I'm going to say is a little contrary to what everyone else says. I agree with all of them that it is probably a nutritional deficiency of some type. But it could just be an irritating habit. My sister eats ice almost constantly. Drives us all nuts! Her doctor, several times, has done blood work-ups on her and she's as healthy as an ox. Another odd thing about it is, eating ice can usually mess up your teeth. Her dentist thinks hers are also as strong as "new kid" teeth so no damage there either. So it isn't always a health thing. If it is, it's more of a mental heath thing.

I've asked her tons of times why she does this and she just says she likes the way it crunches and tastes. She even has a preference for crushed ice over cubes or little cubes vs. big cubes. She prefers to dig into a big cup of ice instead of a bag of chips or some other snack so in her case it's her way of dieting, I guess.... She's VERY aware that it annoys people and if we tell her to stop she will. She doesn't really pay attention when she's doing it so we have to tell her.

My advice would be to tell your co-worker that's its kinda annoying you or just tell her its loud. She'll get the point. I'm sure she's heard it before. If she goes on to talk about it let her know about the iron deficiency and nutritional deficiencies that it could be. But be nice. She may not even know that's she's causing such a racket. You be the judge of her personality and how to go about it.

Good luck!
Jen
http://www.mommysjoy.com

Generally that denotes an iron deficiency. Try an iron supplement and that should fix the ice fix! If not, your coworker could be anemic and need more than just an over-the-counter iron vitamin. Hope this helps!

I've been told that if you crave ice then you are iron deficient. My mother had this for a long time and we would always give her a hard time about it. When we finally heard that she was most likely iron deficient she started taking iron tablets and eating more meat and she no longer craves ice. Chewing on ice is, expecially on a regular basis can break your teeth. My mother has several teeth that have broken. And it's definitely painful.

Pica (regardless of WHAT is craved) is often an indication of a (potentially serious) nutrient deficiency. Your co-worker needs to get a blood workup. If it's a deficiency, the pica will probably be resolved by simply taking the appropriate nutritional supplement.

I have heard it is due to lack of iron in your diet.

Sometimes (a lot) it is an iron deficency. I have seen it more than once before. If not taken care of chewing ice will ruin their teeth....lots of dental bills from breaking their teeth.

Hi J.,

I had that same manifestation of pica with craving ice and it is an iron deficiency. It happens to me when I am pregnant. But if she has an iron deficiency at any time it can show up that way. She should get blood work done.

Hope this helps,

L.

Hi J.,
I also craved ice for years. I could not even go out to eat and consider my meal finished until I crunched all the ice in my glass. I had been told it was an iron deficiency. Having very severe menstrual periods, I had a hysterectomy at 35 years of age. All of a sudden, my ice cravings disappeared. Coincidence? I don't know. So my advice would me to have your iron checked by your doctor.

For me it was the Iron problem. I litterally would go from home to the closest convenience store to renew my supply of ice. It is horrible when you are dealing with it. It was embarassing as well. People looked at me like I was crazy, always needing to have a cup of Ice with me. Tell your friend to see her doctor.

I craved ice when I was pregnant and as soon as the baby was born I couldn't stand it anymore. I never used ice in my drinks before pregnancy or after.
I've been told it means your body is deficient in Iron. I haven't done any research to find out if that's true or not.

PICA is not eating items that are edible. It's craving items that are not edible. i.e. dirt, clay, mud, leaves, etc.

On that note, my husband chomps ice ALL the time. Drives me batty, but he's not anemic, nor does he have an iron deficiency. Just enjoys the oral sensations of chomping on ice. If it bothers you that much, ask your peer to limit the amount of time they do it. Or maybe ask to be moved to another location in your office.

It's not Pica, but probably a nutritional deficiency (iron is likely). Pica is eating inedible items (dirt,paperclips, clothing-- basically anything our average toddlers eat!hee hee)

I had a co-worker who craved ice-ate it constantly. Turns out she was severely iron deficient. Finally have it under control because she is seeing an endrochronologist. (not too sure of that spelling) and she is being treated for a thyroid disease. Her regular MD kept throwing iron at her and her iron levels never did come up until she started with the specialist. Good Luck! What a good friend you are!