Is cornstarch bad for you to eat raw? I craved it during my last pregnancy, and after I had my daughter, the cravings have continued. I can go through a box in about two weeks.

--Linda

Craving for substances such as cornstarch, laundry starch, clay and dirt during pregnancy is called pica. Pica is more common in women who have iron deficiency; it may be the body's way of trying to build up iron stores (red dirt in particular is fairly high in iron).

Eating such non-nutritive substances is harmful only in that one may eat things such as cornstarch instead of other foods. If one is filling up on cornstarch or dirt, one may not have the room to eat fruits, vegetables and whole grains. A well-balanced diet is necessary for optimal health.

You should see your doctor to have a few blood tests run. If you do have iron-deficiency anemia, iron supplements will be prescribed. Usually, once the anemia is corrected, the pica disappears.