Pregnancy can bring some seriously unexpected cravings.
Pickles at midnight? Fair enough. Suddenly wanting to smell petrol? Strange, but not unheard of.
Wanting to eat ice, chalk, clay, dirt or other non-food substances is a little different. This is where pica and geophagia come into the conversation.
I'm absolutely not here to judge anyone for having these cravings, but pregnancy is one situation where it's especially important to understand what's behind them and to be very careful about what you put into your body.
If you're experiencing cravings for clay, dirt or other non-food substances during pregnancy, please speak to your midwife, GP or other healthcare professional before acting on them.
What is pica?
Pica is the persistent craving for, and consumption of, things that aren't normally considered food. That can include clay, dirt or soil, chalk, ice, paper, starch, soap and other non-food substances.
One particular form of pica is called geophagia, which refers specifically to the consumption of earth or earthy materials such as soil, clay and mud. It's not simply about being "weird" or having an unusual taste. For some people, the craving can be extremely strong and very specific. Texture, smell, temperature, crunch and the sensory experience can all play a part. And pregnancy can be a time when these cravings become particularly noticeable.
Why does pica happen during pregnancy?
There isn't one single explanation for pica. However, pica has been associated with nutritional deficiencies, particularly iron deficiency. The NHS specifically advises pregnant people who develop unusual cravings, such as wanting to eat dirt, to speak to their midwife or doctor because this can be associated with pica and iron deficiency. (nhs.uk)
Pregnancy itself also changes appetite, taste and smell. Cravings can become incredibly specific, and things that would normally seem completely unappealing can suddenly become irresistible.
That doesn't mean every clay craving means you're deficient in iron. And it definitely doesn't mean that eating clay is a way of treating an iron deficiency. That's an important distinction.
Clay is not an iron supplement
This one is worth saying clearly. If you're craving clay during pregnancy, don't assume that eating it will fix an iron deficiency.
Some clays contain iron and other minerals, but the presence of a mineral in clay doesn't mean your body can safely absorb it in the way it would from an appropriate food or supplement. In fact, consuming clay can potentially interfere with nutrient absorption depending on its composition and quantity.
If you think you might be anaemic or deficient in iron, speak to your healthcare professional. Iron deficiency anaemia is common during pregnancy, and your GP or midwife can advise whether you need testing or supplementation. (nhs.uk)
Clay is clay. An iron supplement is an iron supplement. They aren't interchangeable.
And this is where buying clay online becomes important
If you're someone who experiences geophagia or clay cravings, you may eventually find yourself searching online for the specific clay you're craving.
And this is where I want to put the brakes on for a moment. Because the internet is full of products described as "edible clay," "food grade clay," "detox clay," "natural clay," "mineral clay" and all sorts of other reassuring-sounding phrases.
A label doesn't automatically make something safe. You need to know what you're actually buying, who you're buying it from and what the seller can genuinely tell you about the product.
Please don't buy clay from Temu
I'm going to be blunt about this one. Please don't buy clay that you're intending to consume from Temu.
Temu is a huge online marketplace with products supplied by different third-party sellers. The fact that something appears on a large marketplace doesn't mean that the individual product has been independently verified as safe for consumption.
UK government research into online marketplaces has highlighted that consumers can assume products sold through marketplaces meet UK safety standards when that isn't necessarily something they can establish from the marketplace listing alone. The same research specifically records safety concerns expressed by consumers about buying certain products from Temu. (GOV.UK)
And when we're talking about something you're considering putting into your body, particularly during pregnancy, that's simply not a risk I'd recommend taking. A cheap bag of mysterious "edible clay" isn't a bargain if you don't know what it actually contains.
"But it says food grade..."
Look beyond the words on the listing. Ask where the clay came from, who actually mined or collected it, who processed it, and whether the product has been tested, what exactly was tested, when it was tested, and whether the testing is even applicable to that specific batch or product. Can the seller explain what you're buying? Is there a real business behind the listing? Can you contact someone if something goes wrong?
These questions matter far more than a product title containing the words "edible," "food grade" or "100% natural." Natural doesn't automatically mean safe, and "food grade" shouldn't be treated as a magic phrase that removes every other consideration.
Be especially careful with pregnancy
Pregnancy isn't the time to experiment with mystery substances from an unknown seller. The NHS already advises pregnant people to take particular care with what they eat and to avoid foods and substances that may carry risks of contamination or harm. (nhs.uk)
Clay and soil can also be naturally variable. They may contain minerals, organic material, microorganisms or other contaminants depending on where they came from and how they were collected and processed. You can't identify all of that by looking at a photograph. A beautiful red clay is still a beautiful red clay. You cannot photograph bacteria, heavy metals or other contaminants.
How to buy clay more responsibly online
If you're looking for clay because you experience geophagia, take your time choosing a seller.
Look for an established seller
Check whether the business has been around for a while. Look for a real website or established shop, clear contact information, terms and conditions, shipping information, transparent product descriptions, customer reviews, a consistent online presence, and genuine photographs of their products.
A social media account isn't automatically suspicious. Plenty of small businesses operate primarily through social platforms. But you should still be able to establish who you're buying from.
Look at the reviews
Don't just look at the five-star reviews displayed on the seller's own website. Search elsewhere: Google, Trustpilot, Etsy or relevant community groups where applicable. Search the business name alongside words such as "reviews" or "experience."
You're looking for a pattern. One complaint doesn't necessarily mean a seller is terrible. Likewise, one glowing testimonial doesn't prove that they're fantastic. Consistency is what matters.
Use recognised payment methods
Be cautious if a stranger asks you to send money directly to a personal bank account, particularly if you've never purchased from them before. Established payment processors such as PayPal, card payments, Shopify Payments, Stripe, Apple Pay and Google Pay can provide additional layers of security and, depending on the transaction, potential buyer protections.
Never send your full card details through a social media message. Seriously. Your Facebook Messenger conversation does not need your card number.
Ask questions
A reputable seller shouldn't be offended by reasonable questions. Ask where the clay originates, about its texture, whether it's raw, roasted or processed, how it's packaged, and what testing or documentation they can provide, where applicable. If the response is evasive, aggressive or full of increasingly elaborate excuses, that's your cue to walk away.
What about sellers calling their clay "edible"?
This is where things get complicated. "Edible clay" is a phrase widely used within the pica and geophagia community to describe clays that people traditionally consume or seek out for sensory reasons. But terminology used by a community isn't the same thing as formal food certification.
I therefore take a deliberately cautious approach. I sell natural clay and chalk materials for sensory, hobbyist and ASMR use. I don't market my products as food or make medical claims about them. I also believe customers should understand exactly what they're buying rather than relying on a catchy product title.
Don't let pregnancy shame you
There's another part of this conversation that's important. If you're pregnant and craving clay, chalk, dirt or ice, please don't feel embarrassed about telling your midwife or doctor.
You aren't the first person to experience it. Pica is a recognised phenomenon, and unusual cravings can be worth discussing with a healthcare professional, particularly because of the possible association with iron deficiency. (nhs.uk)
You don't need to sit there thinking, "they're going to think I'm absolutely mad." Tell them. Your healthcare team has heard considerably stranger things.
And if you're already eating clay...
Don't panic. But do tell your healthcare professional, especially if you're pregnant. It's sensible to discuss any persistent cravings for non-food substances with your midwife or GP. They can decide whether you need blood tests, dietary advice, iron supplementation or further assessment. Don't self-diagnose an iron deficiency from a clay craving, and don't attempt to treat one by eating more clay.
A safer approach to online shopping
I completely understand why people search online. The clay community is global, and some of the most interesting clays come from places you simply can't walk into a local shop and buy. That's part of the fun.
But the further a product travels through an anonymous online supply chain, the more important it becomes to know who you're buying from. If a listing has no meaningful information about the seller, no traceable business, no useful product information and a suspiciously low price, maybe leave that one in the digital shopping basket. Your crunch isn't going anywhere. There will always be another clay.
The bottom line
Pica and geophagia during pregnancy deserve understanding, not judgement. If you're craving clay, chalk, dirt or other non-food substances, talk to your midwife or GP. Pica can be associated with iron deficiency, and pregnancy is a particularly important time to make sure you're getting the nutrients you and your baby need. (nhs.uk)
And if you are going to research clay online, research the seller just as carefully as the clay itself. Look for transparency, genuine reviews and traceability. Use secure payment methods. Ask questions. And please, don't buy mystery "edible clay" from Temu just because the listing says it's food grade. A bargain isn't a bargain when you don't know what you're actually getting.
Whether you buy from me or another established seller, you should never feel pressured into trusting a product simply because someone online called it edible. Do your homework. Your future self will thank you.
Shop Edible Clay here
Disclaimer: My clay and chalk products are natural materials sold for sensory, hobbyist and ASMR use only. They're not certified food-grade, and I don't sell them as food, supplements or medicine. This article is general information based on my own research, not medical advice, and I'm not a doctor or nutritionist. If you're pregnant and experiencing cravings for clay, chalk, dirt or other non-food substances, please speak to your midwife, GP or other qualified healthcare professional, and don't use clay as a substitute for prescribed iron supplements or medical treatment.
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