Why TikTokkers are eating mini clay pots flavored with lime juice and what they can do to your body

Clay what?!The latest trend taking over TikTok might leave you scratching your head — or picking dirt out of your teeth. Viral videos show users filling miniature clay pots with lime juice, dusting them in Tajín and eating them whole like a crunchy, earthy snack.The trend was sparked by content creator Janeth Herrera (@jannherr), who began craving dirt during her recent pregnancy.“Let’s have a late night snack,” the new mom said in one clip, popping the tiny clay vessel into her mouth and closing her eyes in delight.“Man, that was so good.”Her videos, which have racked up millions of views, have divided the internet — with a number of viewers seriously intrigued and sharing new cravings of their own.“I want this so bad,” one user admitted.

“Everyone judging in the comments but I lowkey wanna try it,” confessed another.Some have been inspired to test it themselves, hunting down miniature clay pots on Amazon — and driving up prices in the process.But not everyone is sold on the idea.“Were you outta chips?!” one commenter quipped, while another cracked: “Back in my day we used to use these for flowers.”“Craving non-food substances like clay is known as pica, which is sometimes associated with iron deficiency or other nutrient gaps, especially during pregnancy,” explained Amy Shapiro, a registered dietician and nutritionist.While Herrera said her doctor checked her iron levels and they came back normal, Shapiro noted that “standard labs don’t always tell the full story.”“For example, someone can have ‘normal’ hemoglobin but still have low iron stores or suboptimal nutrient status that may contribute to cravings,” she said.

“That’s why a more comprehensive assessment is often helpful.”Dr.Alison Hermann, a psychiatrist at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, told The Post that the behavior may fall under pica, but it’s not fully clear.“There is a cultural practice called geophagia among some indi...