I'm really concerned because I've been craving slate pencils for about six months now and I've already eaten a few. I'm worried if this could be bad for my health. I keep wanting to eat more. Is there something missing in my diet that's making me want them? How can I stop these cravings?

Dr Dr Khaleel Ur Rahim

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 1+ Yrs

Consult Now

It can be harmful to ingest slate pencils in large quantities. It can result in constipation, lung infections, vomitting and diarrhea. Your craving could be a sign of lack of certain vitamins and minerals in the body. It is advisable to start taking multivitamins and supplements such as Revital, or Zincovit tablets. You may wish to do a serum electrolyte blood test in order to determine which minerals your body is lacking.

Answered 04/07/2025