Monday, August 10, 2009

Why Are These Things in the Same Category?

Deep Hunger: It might point to an unusual eating disorder called tomatophagia. People with tomatophagia develop unusual cravings for such things as tomatoes, ice, detergent, starch, clay, and even dirt.

8 comments:

Miss Ginger Grant said...

I just crave tomatoes and salt.... I have been craving salt for the last year or so. Olives, pickles, popcorn, or just plain ole table salt.... I can't get enough.

But not so much clay, dirt, etc.

Is it a carbon deficiency or something?

Miss Ginger Grant said...

PS... Where do you come up with this shit?!

Joy said...

It's a choice I get on iGoogle called Useless Knowledge. It changes several times a day. I'm too lazy to look all this up all over the internet! I copy and paste the ones that appeal to me.

I did, however, google salt cravings and found several possibilities. If you've been sweating a lot, it could mean you're missing minerals (electrolytes) or have adrenal exhaustion. Check this site: http://www.mcvitamins.com/Health%20Opponents/salt.htm

You might want to mention it to your doctor. Blood tests could show if there's a deficiency.

#Debi said...

I read an article in National Geographic years ago about women (in particular) who ate clay, in a certain part of Georgia, I think. If I remember correctly, it was linked to iron deficiency for those women, or maybe some other mineral...

Bob said...

Uh oh.
I just made a big pot of detergent/clay/tomato soup!?!??

Joy said...

That's right, Debi. It's called pica and is most common with malnourished people. Iron deficiency sounds right because my doctor told me about this when I was anemic. He liked to show off with information like that. LOL We had an interesting relationship. I taught his children and we knew each other a long time. Now I have a younger version of him for a doctor.

Bob, you are too funny! Thanks!

Ms. Moon said...

In Alabama, I have seen nice labeled bags of special clay for eating sold in convenience stores by the register. I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP!

Unknown said...

Shallow hunger: puffed pastry with vanilla ice cream?