Eating the right diet is very important during pregnancy. Pregnant women still prefer to follow the same diet that they have already heard about. Including mushrooms in a healthy diet during pregnancy is a matter to consider. In relation to consuming mushrooms during this time, some people think that it is a great food and some people believe that mushrooms can give health problems to pregnant women. Read on for complete details on whether mushrooms should be consumed during pregnancy or not.
Are Mushrooms Safe to Consume During Pregnancy?
Mushroom is an edible fungus that is rich in good quality protein and low in calories. 100 grams of White Button Mushroom can provide approximately 22 calories. It is an important source of nutrition and is rich in vitamins, minerals and other trace elements. However, some edible mushrooms can also cause allergies in people, causing stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some types of mushrooms can be dangerous to consume, such as wild mushrooms and magic mushrooms.
which mushrooms should be eaten during pregnancy
If you already eat mushrooms, then you can continue to consume the same mushrooms during your pregnancy. Choose mushrooms that do not have any bruises and are fresh and clean looking. Do not consume raw mushroom, cook it well after washing and then eat it. It helps in removing digestive problems caused by harmful fungi and germs.
Commonly available mushrooms, such as oyster, cremini, and button, are safe to cook and eat if they do not have any bruises or damage. Shiitake mushrooms, mushrooms as medicinal supplements, and frozen or processed mushroom products are safe to eat within the expiration date. If you think that eating mushroom can be harmful for you, then cook it in less quantity or stop eating it. After eating, try to understand whether you are having any problem with it. If you have any problem then avoid eating mushroom in future.
medicinal mushrooms
Most mushrooms have proven immunological and anti-carcinogenic properties, and there are also medicinal mushrooms that have other significant health benefits. They have strong antioxidant, anti-hypertensive properties and have the ability to protect the liver and lower cholesterol. Many pharmaceutical companies use medicinal mushrooms as a very important source of bio-medical properties.
Which Mushrooms Are Unsafe to Eat During Pregnancy?
Although most mushrooms are considered safe to eat, there are some that can cause health problems when consumed. Following are some types of mushrooms whose consumption can cause health problems, let us know;
raw mushrooms
The upper layer of raw mushroom is more rigid due to which it can definitely lead to indigestion. Mushrooms that have a hard cell wall are first cooked to make the nutrients of the mushrooms suitable for consumption. Some of the carcinogenic toxins present in mushrooms can be removed by cooking them. Thus, it is advisable for pregnant women to wash and cook mushrooms thoroughly before eating them.
magic mushroom
Magic mushrooms and wild mushrooms can potentially cause problems, magic mushrooms contain a substance called psilocybin that causes confusion, muscle weakness, lethargy, nausea and vomiting. It can cause ataxia – that is, a feeling of weakness in voluntary muscle movement for about 6 hours after consumption. Eating wild mushrooms in excessive amounts poses a risk of poisonous mushroom poisoning because it can be mistaken for an edible species. There are many side effects of eating toxic mushrooms, which can range from minor gastrointestinal discomfort to death. This is the reason why consumption of magic mushrooms or wild mushrooms should be avoided during pregnancy.
Benefits of mushrooms during pregnancy
One of the best things about mushrooms is that they are very low in fat, calories or carbohydrates and at the same time enhance the flavor of other foods. It is highly nutritious and has all the properties that are more important during pregnancy.
- B vitamins: Mushrooms are a natural source of B complex vitamins, such as riboflavin (B2), thiamin (B1), niacin (B3) and pantothenic acid (B5). All these components provide many benefits to the mother and the baby. Riboflavin is very important for neurological development, healthy skin, good vision, and the development of strong bones and muscles. Niacin helps maintain cholesterol levels and supports the health of the heart and circulatory system of both the mother and fetus. Thiamine helps in the development of the baby’s brain. Fatigue is a common problem during pregnancy, the nutritional properties present in mushrooms help to overcome the problem of fatigue and increase your energy. Pantothenic acid reduces digestive problems by helping the body metabolize food.
- Vitamin D: Mushrooms are a natural source of Vitamin D which is important for the absorption of calcium. It also helps in the development of bone and teeth. Vitamin ‘D’ deficiency in pregnant women promotes problems like fatigue, bone weakness, back pain and depression. Mushrooms being a good source of Vitamin D, including them in the daily diet of pregnant women helps to overcome all these problems.
- Protein and Fiber: Mushrooms are an important vegetarian source of protein. Protein is important for the overall growth and development of your unborn baby. Protein is also important for the development of the placenta and the support system of the developing fetus. Mushrooms also have a high amount of fiber which helps in keeping the stomach clean. It contains insoluble fiber – which is very important for digestion. It also contains soluble fiber which helps in absorbing blood sugar and controlling blood pressure and cholesterol.
- Iron: Mushrooms are high in iron, which is important for the health of the mother and baby during pregnancy. More than 90% of the nutritive value of iron is easily absorbed by the body. It enhances the formation of hemoglobin and red blood cells and keeps both mother and fetus healthy to their full potential. The iron content of mushrooms assumes greater importance during pregnancy as the mother’s heart pumps more blood during this time. This is also very important because according to reports many women suffer from anemia during pregnancy.
- Antioxidants and trace elements: Antioxidants present in mushrooms provide energy to the immune system. Help keep you healthy and disease-free during pregnancy. Mushrooms are also rich in potassium, zinc and selenium, which are also important for the proper growth and development of your baby.
Precautions to be taken while eating mushrooms
- Buy fresh mushroom and cook it fresh, don’t eat it raw at all.
- The mushroom should not have any stain or any sign of aging and also wash it thoroughly before cooking. Processed mushroom should be used within its expiry date.
- If you are as suspicious of mushrooms as anyone else, try consuming a small amount of it. If you see its side effects, do not eat more. If you suspect an allergy to it or notice any serious symptoms, consult a doctor immediately.
- If you use medicinal mushrooms as a food supplement or to ease any pregnancy complications, exercise caution and monitor your health in the meantime. In the same way any type of allergy or its side effects can be reduced.
- Do not consume foods during pregnancy that can increase the risk. Avoid wild mushrooms and magic mushrooms during pregnancy.
Mushrooms can provide many essential nutrients to a pregnant woman. Enjoy eating mushrooms during pregnancy by keeping the above precautions and considerations in mind.
