The craving to nibble on or chew any substance that may not be defined strictly as food is commonly known as pica. There are types of pica and some may be related to nutritional deficiencies as well. Pagophagia is one of the classifications of pica.


It is specifically said to be the disorder wherein the patient chews ice constantly and this is also known to be prevalent among people who suffer from iron deficiency. Most of the time, if anyone develops an abnormal love for chewing ice; it is wise to visit the doctor at once. A doctor can take a simple test and decide at once if you are anemic or not.


In a lot of such cases, the diagnosis would probably be positive. In order to take care of anemia, it is also possible that the doctor may put you on iron supplements at once. It is a good idea to stick to this for as long as they are recommended by the doctor as nutritional supplementing will take time to show effects. However, it is also good idea to start with eating iron rich foods at once, as there seems to be no point in waiting for this. In fact, it would be better if you were to start with a mild change of lifestyle and incorporate certain foods into your diet on a permanent basis.

The most powerful source of iron is red meat for people who are not vegetarians. Among vegetarians, it is important to always include leafy greens in the diet in order to ensure that an adequate supply of iron is reaching the body. Some of the richest sources of iron are kale, spinach, thyme, pulses and eggs. Soy can also provide generous amounts of iron but it is hardly the kind of food one would eat everyday unless accustomed to this. Apart from these, potatoes and beets are also a good source of iron. Whole grains are also a rich source of iron when cooked minimally and not processed. A lot of fresh fruit also contains large amounts of iron, most significantly, the apple. Please understand that it is not necessary to eat everything all the time, but far more significant to include at least a few basic sources in each meal. If you are female, and have suffered from anemia for more than a few months, it is essential to continue with iron supplements.