Can You Eat Mushrooms When Pregnant? Know the Shocking Truth
I love mushrooms! I always like to put it in my salads and soups. Each time I ordered pizza, I would adore having mushrooms on it. The fleshy and thick texture makes it a perfect complement to light foods.
But, when I got pregnant, I was worried if mushrooms would still be safe for my tummy. Can you eat mushrooms when pregnant? I asked around but got different answers from my friends. Some say it is safe while others would suggest that I stay away from it for a while.
I did my research and found out a great answer to my dilemma. In this post, you will learn more about mushrooms for pregnant women.
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What Are Mushrooms?
Mushroom is a type of fungal organism that acts as a flower or fruit of plants. There are different types of fungi, but two of the most popular types are the poisonous mushrooms and the medicinal mushrooms.
Poisonous mushrooms are not safe and can cause health risks in the body such as diarrhea, poisoning and stomach pains. There are mushrooms of this type that are even illegal to own or grow in your garden.
Medical mushrooms are edible plants that are used as medicines in different countries. While most of these fungal organisms are consumed to address an illness like cancer and cholesterol, some mushrooms are used for daily consumption and eating pleasure.
The Shocking Benefits of Eating Mushrooms
Mushrooms provide vital nutrients in the body. This type of food is low in calories, low in sodium and gluten-free
So, Is mushroom Safe To Eat By Pregnant Women?
Yes! The nutrients from mushrooms can aid in the better health of the mother and the development of the baby.
Vitamin D provides the better absorption of calcium to help in the formation of teeth and bones of the baby. A cup of shitake mushrooms includes 12.6 units of Vitamin D.
Protein helps in the production of muscle mass in the body of the fetus.
Antioxidants can help boost the immune system of both the mother and baby with its free radicals. It helps prevent illness and common sickness in the body. Selenium and ergothioneine protect the cells in the body.
Vitamin B nutrients are active in promoting the healthy formation of nerves as well as healthy skin and digestion. It uses the energy from the food mothers eat.
A cup of portabella mushroom offers 8% of the daily Riboflavin needs, which is ideal for pregnant women and can strengthen the baby’s muscles. Vitamin B1 and B3 assist in making the central nervous system stronger and aids in the formation of a healthy body mass.
Vitamin B also contains pantothenic acid that prevents problems in digestion. A cup of shitake mushrooms contains 17 percent of pantothenic acid. It also reduces fatigue commonly experienced during pregnancy.
Iron is necessary for the production of hemoglobin in the body. During pregnancy, more iron is needed as the volume of blood increases. More hemoglobin means an adequate supply of oxygen pregnant women needs for their babies. It also reduces the risk of getting anemic. A cup of morel mushrooms can provide 8 milligrams of iron.
Potassium is crucial in maintaining the fluid balance in the body. During the stage of pregnancy, the blood volume increases thus causing fatigue and muscle pressure. The increase in potassium level can aid in the proper functioning of the muscles, nerves and the heart.
Fiber can reduce chances of constipation. For pregnant women, constipation is a constant battle, and it produces stress and tension in the body. High intake of fiber can eliminate digestive problems and keep the body active to avoid over fatigue.
Examples of Mushrooms to Eat:
- Enoki
- Matsutake
- Shitake
- Brown Crimini Mushroom
- Maitake
- King Oysters/Eringi
- White Button Mushrooms
- Morel
What to avoid
Unfortunately, there are kinds of mushrooms that pregnant women should avoid eating. These mushrooms can trigger digestive problems and are toxic in the body.
Wild Mushrooms - Working like a sponge, this type of mushroom can absorb anything around it including toxins and waste. When you consume wild mushrooms, you will also intake what’s inside of it including harmful elements.
Magic Mushrooms - Magic mushroom is another type of toxic plant that contains psilocybin. Such chemical is detrimental to the body especially to a developing baby inside the tummy since it can alter brain development and affect growth. Apart from pregnant women, magic mushrooms are also not recommended for breastfeeding mothers.
Raw Mushrooms - If you are fond of eating raw mushrooms, better cook or dry them first. Raw mushrooms contain carcinogen that is cancer-triggers and may be harmful to the body. However, cooking or making them dried can remove the damaging elements.
Examples of Mushrooms to Avoid:
- Fly Agaric
- False Morel
- Autumn Skullcap or Galerina
- Angel Wing
- Deadly Webcap or Orellani
- Death Cap
Risks in Eating Toxic Mushrooms
Mushrooms that are high in toxin content can produce certain detrimental conditions to the fetus:
- Degeneration of brain cells – It can affect the overall development of the brain of your baby.
- Hallucinations – Toxins can disrupt the normal activities of the brain.
- Physical Birth Defects – There may be physical problems when the baby comes out.
Tips on How to Properly Eat Mushrooms
While there are good mushrooms to eat, proper handling and food preparation is the key to prevent any health risk in consuming mushrooms:
- Be familiar with the types of mushrooms you buy. If there are attractive but unfamiliar variants, do your research first and check if it is part of the safer kind.
- Check the expiry date. See to it that you consume mushrooms that are weeks or months before the said expiry date to the assured freshness of the plant.
- Clean thoroughly before cooking. Always wash them with clean water.
- Cook your mushrooms well. There are kinds of mushrooms that require longer cooking time.
- Buy only from reliable vendors. Do your shopping in leading grocery stores or trusted local stores.
- Ask your doctor of the safe foods to eat. Inquire the type of mushrooms that you want to take if it is safe for you.
Conclusion
Eating the right food is essential for every pregnant woman to strengthen their bodies and help in the overall development of their baby. When eating different kinds of food, always be careful what you put in your mouth since your child will be eating that kind of food too.
I will always have mushrooms whenever possible. It makes my food more delicious every time. But, I now ensure that I only consume common types of mushrooms to prevent any complications later on.
Do you also eat mushrooms? What kind of mushrooms did you eat when you were pregnant? Share your story with us!
Reference:
http://www.momjunction.com/articles/safe-eat-mushroom-pregnancy_0089276/#gref
http://www.livestrong.com/article/412277-recommended-protein-intake-for-pregnant-women/
https://www.beingtheparent.com/mushrooms-during-pregnancy/
http://www.gomama247.com/can-i-eat-mushrooms-during-pregnancy.html/