Do some American eat dirt?

Question

Now I study in Geophagy. Is the sentence below true?

>Cooked, baked, and processed dirt and clay are still sold in health food stores and rural flea markets in the Southern United States, although this practice is less common than it once was.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophagy#In_rural_and_indigenous_cultures

Answer 1

Not to many people eat dirt anymore.  Some children still do when they make mud pies.  This practice of eating dirt is still common in Haiti.

Answer 2

very few  

BUT it is not common dirt (??) Fullers Earth or other specially prepared clays and is more similar to the tonics and laxatives

BUT I did see on the TV something about dirt cookies

Jazz Hands suggests Pica... It IS a eating disorder of eating dirt..

try a search in Health

Answer 3

It's not common in American's, it's more common in 3rd world countries, but it's a disorder called Pica. They eat dirt, laundry detergent, or whatever they swipe off of a car bumper.

Answer 4

Mineral shortage makes you do this, not just  Americans, anyone.

Answer 5

I think they eat rich food

Answer 6

second time to hear same question

Answer 7

Eating clay serves different purposes during different periods of pregnancy, soothing stomach upset during morning sickness in the 1st trimester and supplementing nutrients (especially calcium) during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters, when the fetal skeleton is forming.  This behavior usually is in Africa.

I hope this is the information your looking for.

Answer 8

No I dont think so. Maybe a few people.

Answer 9

i don't eat dirt but it may be true

Answer 10

Red dirt some people may still eat but may not want to admit to it.

Especially during pregnancy.