Children's gym shoes, burned matchsticks and ice lollies dipped in mustard are just some of the cravings that pregnant women have confessed to eating, a survey published today finds. Imminent motherhood appears to turn the nation's women into gruesome gourmets, with custard-covered beetroot, garlic bread with strawberry yoghurt, and even chocolate mixed with salad cream also on the menu.
The poll of 200 pregnant women in the UK for vitamin makers Sanatogen found that other strange food cravings admitted to included stuffed olives with lemon curd, chocolate ice cream with prawns and pineapple, and coffee granules on crumpets.
Despite their strange tastes, one in 10 women are still unsure about exactly what they are allowed and not allowed to eat while pregnant. An obviously pregnant woman is still a source of fascination for many people, with three quarters of survey respondents saying people had asked to touch their stomachs.
But four in five expectant mothers had been forced to stand on public transport because "modern men" failed to give up their seats for them.
A spokeswoman for the Maternity Alliance said: "If a craving seems very bizarre, it's worth checking with your doctor or midwife."
