Weirdest Pregnancy Cravings Ever Reported by Doctors

A Clinical and Cultural Peek Inside the Pregnant Palate
Pregnancy is an extraordinary journey. Physiologically complex. Emotionally transformative. But for many doctors, it’s the cravings that really spice up the story. Forget pickles and ice cream — we’re talking about burnt matches, chalk, jalapeños dipped in peanut butter, and yes… laundry detergent (don’t worry, we’ll talk about pica).

Pregnancy cravings are one of those phenomena that fascinate both patients and practitioners. Clinically, we try to understand them. Culturally, we laugh about them. And every OB/GYN has a story or two about the wild, the weird, and the just plain inexplicable.

This article is a deep (and fun) dive into the strangest cravings reported in pregnancy, what might cause them, and how healthcare professionals should respond — with empathy, curiosity, and a solid understanding of human biology.

Why Do Pregnancy Cravings Even Happen?
First, let’s talk science. Cravings during pregnancy are incredibly common, with more than 50–90% of women reporting them at some point. Theories behind cravings include:

• Hormonal changes that affect taste, smell, and brain reward circuits
  
  
• Nutritional deficiencies, such as iron or calcium
  
  
• Cultural and emotional associations tied to comfort foods
  
  
• Neurological rewiring due to increased dopamine sensitivity in pregnancy
  

But despite the research, we still don’t have a definitive answer. Which means, when a patient says, “I’ve been dreaming about biting into a bar of soap,” we take a clinical pause, then proceed with questions that go beyond nutrition.

Cravings That Fall on the Wild Side
1. Chewing on Ice Cubes — Constantly
Believe it or not, this is one of the most common “weird” cravings, and it’s often not harmless. The compulsion to chew ice (known as pagophagia) is strongly associated with iron deficiency anemia. Once iron levels are restored, the craving often vanishes — like magic.

For clinicians, this is a red flag disguised as an innocent habit. Ask. Investigate. Treat.

2. Dirt, Chalk, Clay, and Paint Chips
Here we enter the realm of pica, the persistent craving for non-food items. Some women report loving the smell of wet soil, or the gritty crunch of chalk sticks. Others even nibble on drywall.

These cravings may be linked to:

• Mineral deficiencies (iron, zinc, calcium)
  
  
• Psychosocial stress or trauma
  
  
• Cultural normalization (in some regions, eating clay is considered healing)
  

Important: Always screen for pica during prenatal visits — it can lead to poisoning, GI obstruction, and malnutrition.

3. Laundry Detergent and Soap
Yes, really. Some women report the smell of laundry detergent as intensely pleasurable. Others go further and say they want to taste it — a definite red flag for pica or an underlying mental health condition.

This falls under toxic ingestion risk, and clinicians should explore it sensitively. Patients are often embarrassed, so nonjudgmental questioning is key.

4. Toothpaste and Mouthwash
Fresh minty taste + foamy texture = unexpectedly desirable?

While it seems harmless, ingesting these products in large quantities can lead to fluoride toxicity, nausea, or worse. Like many cravings, this one has no solid scientific explanation — but in our clinical experience, stress and oral fixations seem to play a role.

5. Burnt Matches or Charcoal
This craving is surprisingly common and not fully understood. Theories include:

• A desire for the mineral content in ash
  
  
• The body’s way of signaling iron or calcium deficiency
  
  
• Cultural habits (charcoal is used as a remedy in some parts of Africa and the Caribbean)
  

Either way, if your pregnant patient mentions licking burnt matchsticks, a CBC and nutrition panel might be in order.

6. Spicy Foods with Sweet Combinations
Think jalapeños and whipped cream. Or hot sauce on ice cream. It may sound strange to the average person, but pregnancy taste buds often throw logic out the window.

Physiologically, this might be due to heightened smell sensitivity and altered taste receptor function. Or maybe it’s just the baby demanding chaos.

7. Raw Onions, Straight from the Fridge
Some women crave biting into raw onions like apples. Cold ones. The pungency seems to be a thrill — either because of olfactory hypersensitivity or some primal satisfaction.

No harm here (except maybe to their social circle), but it’s worth noting for the next time someone gags during rounds at a hospital salad bar.

8. Crushed Ice and Lemon-Salt Mixtures
Zesty, crunchy, and intensely sour — this combo is popular among pregnant women in South Asia and Latin America. Often tied to cultural norms and dietary rituals, these cravings are satisfying yet sometimes acidic enough to erode dental enamel.

So while it may be safe, oral health guidance is crucial.

9. Cigarette Ash or Lighter Fluid Smells
Some pregnant patients report they don’t want to smoke, but they crave the smell of cigarette ash, gasoline, or lighter fluid. These are dangerous olfactory fixations often tied to nutrient deficiencies or environmental associations.

This is a clinical red zone — probe for environmental exposures, mental health status, and rule out pica-related behaviors.

10. Frozen Peas and Corn Straight from the Bag
Apparently, eating rock-hard peas is extremely satisfying to some expectant moms. No heating. No seasoning. Just a frosty crunch.

This one is relatively harmless — unless it results in cracked molars.

What Should Doctors Do When Patients Report Odd Cravings?

• Normalize the conversation. Patients often feel ashamed or silly. Let them know they’re not alone.
  
  
• Screen for pica. Use open-ended, judgment-free questions to dig deeper.
  
  
• Check labs. Especially iron, zinc, B12, calcium, and folate.
  
  
• Assess risk. Determine if the craving is harmless (crushed ice), harmful (paint), or potentially toxic (soap).
  
  
• Educate. Offer safe substitutes if possible and help patients understand what their cravings might signal.
  

Cultural Perspectives on Pregnancy Cravings

• In Japan, craving sour umeboshi plums is considered a sign of a healthy pregnancy.
  
  
• In Mexico, it’s believed that unfulfilled cravings lead to birthmarks on the baby.
  
  
• In Nigeria, clay cravings are common and sometimes culturally accepted.
  
  
• In Western countries, pickles and ice cream still reign — but TikTok is giving strange combos a new platform.
  

For doctors practicing in diverse populations, understanding these cultural nuances adds empathy to care.

Fun Anecdotes from the Front Lines
We asked a few healthcare workers what they’ve seen over the years. Some top responses:

• “A patient who craved the smell of wet cement and tried to lick a parking lot.”
  
  
• “A nurse who confessed to craving new car smell and sat in a dealership for 20 minutes weekly.”
  
  
• “One woman insisted that ketchup on cheesecake was a religious experience.”
  
  
• “Someone chewed on the rubber grips of surgical scissors... during the third trimester.”
  

What Causes the Craziest Cravings? Is There a Pattern?
Truthfully, we don’t know. But theories include:

• Dopaminergic reward loops activated differently in pregnancy
  
  
• Epigenetic triggers or fetal signals influencing maternal behavior
  
  
• Gut microbiome changes affecting food preferences
  
  
• Psychological stress relief — sometimes, a weird craving is just a coping mechanism
  

Whatever the cause, the job of healthcare professionals is not to judge — but to observe, assess, and guide.

Conclusion: Cravings Are as Complex as Pregnancy Itself
While most pregnancy cravings are harmless and even humorous, others can reveal serious clinical concerns. Doctors and nurses on the frontline of prenatal care should treat these odd requests as diagnostic breadcrumbs — sometimes they lead to iron deficiency, other times to cultural understanding, and sometimes… they just lead to a midnight run for pickle-flavored chips.

So the next time a patient says they’re craving toothpaste on toast, lean in. Ask questions. Smile. And maybe share the weirdest craving you’ve heard, too.