Can You Eat Mushrooms While Pregnant?

Mushrooms come in various tastes and flavours. Apart from that, they are also a gold mine of nutrients. During pregnancy, the body’s demand for essential nutrients is higher than ever hence mushrooms can be a vital source of such nutrients. But the question is, can you eat mushrooms while pregnant?

mushrooms while pregnant

When cooked right, these wild vegetables are so irresistible and tasty. Most confinement ladies also know how to cook mushrooms, you can check out this guide to get maximum from your confinement lady. If you love mushrooms, you can still eat them even if you are pregnant since your unborn baby solely depends on the food that you eat. It is safe for pregnant women to include mushrooms in their diet to benefit from their incredible nutrient value.

Nutritional Benefits Of Eating Mushrooms While Pregnant

Including mushrooms in your diet will surely benefit you and your unborn baby tremendously since they are loaded with nutrients. Below are some of the nutritional nutrients.

Vitamin B Nutrients

Mushrooms contain great amounts of vitamin B

Mushrooms contain great amounts of vitamin B components which promote skin health, aid in digestion, promote nerve development and the body’s energy production. The vitamin B components include vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3 and B5.

Vitamins B1, B2 and B3 will promote the development of the central nervous system of your baby and also promote your baby’s healthy body mass.

Vitamin D Nutrients

Rich in large quantities of vitamin D, an essential mineral for proper foetal growth, including mushrooms in your diet is a good idea. Vitamin D facilitates the formation of strong bones in your unborn baby by increasing the body’s absorption of calcium. Do you know that mushrooms contain the highest concentration of vitamin D than most popular foods? Well, now you know.

Antioxidants and Fibre

Equipped with antioxidants and fibres, keeping your body’s toxic and free radicals levels as low as possible during the entire 3 trimesters will be good for you and your baby. Antioxidants such as Selenium and ergothioneine will boost your immune system and clear all the free radicals from your body.

Fibre will ensure that you don’t suffer from any digestive problems like constipation.

Rich in Proteins and Iron

When you are pregnant, the volume of your blood also increases. To produce this extra blood, more haemoglobin will be needed hence the additional supply of iron will be required by the body. The body’s iron requirement while you are pregnant is 27 milligrammes. One cup of mushrooms contains 8 milligrammes of iron, pretty close.

Mushrooms also contain a good amount of proteins which aids in your baby’s overall growth.

Types of Mushrooms to Avoid

Not all varieties of mushrooms are safe to be eaten. This is because some mushroom varieties are very toxic and should be avoided especially when you are heavy with your child. Some mushrooms can even cause death to you and your baby. Therefore here are things you should avoid as far as eating mushrooms is concerned.

Eating Raw Mushrooms

It is recommended that all mushrooms must be cooked before they can be consumed. This is because raw mushrooms contain traces of carcinogens which are known to be dangerous to the human body. Cooking ensures that all these traces are removed making it 100% safe to eat them.

Eating Parasol Mushrooms

These are umbrella shaped mushrooms with some white rings and milky gills. They are usually brightly coloured with some spots. Their caps are usually cream coloured, and they are very poisonous. If you are picking mushrooms out in the field, avoid this type of mushrooms.

Avoid False Morels

They are usually wrinkled mushrooms whose caps are always irregular and resemble saddles. Other poisonous mushrooms that should be avoided include amanitas, puffballs, crimini, portable and chanterelle.

Some of the Edible Varieties of Mushrooms

Button Mushrooms

This type of mushroom is common since it is found almost everywhere. They always have a pale white shoot and a spotted top. The top is the most flavourful part and is usually cooked to make a delicious mushroom dish. Due to the fibrousness of the shoot, it is used to make stews or broths.

Shiitake Mushrooms

This mushroom is black and has a leaf’s texture. They are usually popular with Chinese cuisine.

Porcini Mushrooms

They are popular with Italian cuisine since they are also grown in Italy. These golden brown mushrooms are the most expensive types of mushrooms and the most flavoured. They are usually in high demand all over the world.

Conclude

As a final point, it is safe for you to eat mushrooms while you are pregnant. As long as you eat the safe and edible mushrooms, you are better off. The good thing with mushrooms is that you can incorporate them in many cuisines and still get a perfect and robust flavoured dish, for example, try pasta and stew with mushrooms and see if you won’t lick your plate.

Kristi Cathey
 

Hi everyone! My name is Kristi Cathey and I’m glad you found your way to my blog. I am a mother of 3 beautiful angels. This blog was created in order to share my personal experiences in baby care and general health care for pregnant women. If you'd like to get in touch with me, please contact me by sending me an email via kristicathey.intelligentmother@gmail.com. Welcome to Intelligentmother.com

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