Why do they say that anemics like chewing ice?!


Question: I'm anemic and I don't really feel the need of eating ice, then where does this thing come from? Why do they say that?


Answers: I'm anemic and I don't really feel the need of eating ice, then where does this thing come from? Why do they say that?

I was severly anemic for years and I chewed ice all the time. I craved it . I used to tell people that if I could just sit on an iceberg and eat it I would be so happy. They don't really know why anemics crave ice. Maybe your iron level isn't low enough to crave ice. I had a hysterectomy in 1999 which cured my anemia and I haven't had the urge to chew ice since.

While most people with iron deficiency anemia do have some sort of pica (pica: an appetite for non-nutritive substances), not all have it. Maybe you have a different type of anemia, maybe you have a different kind of pica (have you been eating dirt?) or maybe you're just an exception to the rule.

As to why this happens, I'm not sure they know for sure. Maybe people with mineral deficiencies just have some natural unconscious desire to get those minerals through something other than food. There hasn't really been a lot of research done in this area.

They are probably using it to distract their brain and fool it into thinking they are eating something - just another tactic to try and stay skinny and is just as dangerous as the rest.

Yes exacly. It's a sensation of eating- like chewing crunchy gum... minus the flavor.. and the anything.. lol

My daughter is 3 1/2 and is obsessed with chewing ice. Sometimes it is the only thing that will calm her down.

Her genetic doctor asked me if she has ever been diagnosed with Anemia. Her doctor told me that when people crave ice it is usually hand in hand with being anemic because of the lack of iron in the body.

If your body is missing certain minerals sometimes you will crave something (no matter how strange) because it is your brain knowing your body needs it. So yes...people actually DO eat dirt and this is where chewing on ice comes in. The minerals in the water are what she actually craves. It's also why my daughter will pick water over anything else we offer her to drink. In the summer she even stands under the sprinkler trying to drink the water. I know it sounds strange but it is all kinda cool if you think about it. Your brain knows to tell your body you need to find certain things you are lacking.

The doctor said that they will test my daughter in her next set of genetic tests (my daughter is also disabled which is why we see a genetic doctor in the first place).

The doctor told us that it's ok to give her ice because it also helps keep her hydrated.

Hope this helps answer your question. Take Care!

Basically, it has been shown that the majority of people who enjoy or desire to chew ice, are proven to be anemic. A process of understanding as to why certain people like to munch on ice, it was a finding that such people were anemic as well. I learned of this back in the 1980's when I was in Nursing school. The body craves certain minerals/elements when their body is low on Iron.





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