Pregnancy is stressful, and you must eliminate certain foods for the safety of the baby. After talking to a pregnancy nutrition specialist, you may still have questions. Mushrooms are one of those foods, and there are many myths about mushrooms around. Here is a comprehensive article on foods that should have a place in your diet.
The Answer: Yes, When Cooked
Culinary mushrooms are safe to eat while you are pregnant, with a few caveats. The biggest one is that mushrooms are only completely safe when washed and cooked thoroughly. This process kills any potentially dangerous bacteria and cooks out carcinogenic compounds.
It’s also important to only eat culinary mushrooms from a reliable commercial source. Foraged mushrooms are dangerous, as distinguishing the edible from the non-edible varieties. The risk of problems from accidental ingestion of non-edible mushrooms is higher for pregnant women. According to ABC7, toxins in death cap mushrooms cannot be destroyed by boiling, cooking, freezing, or drying and eating only a small portion can lead to death.
You can still enjoy most of your favorite mushroom dishes throughout your pregnancy since most require cooked mushrooms. You should only avoid raw mushrooms or unidentifiable such as those found in tartar or some salads. For a better understanding of the nutritional value of mushrooms, you can check The Nutrition Source provided by Harvard T.H. Chan School.
The Magic Mushroom Caveat
At no point in a pregnancy is consuming so-called “magic mushrooms” safe. Magic mushrooms contain a compound called psilocybin, which alters brain function. It’s dangerous for both the woman and the baby. For more detailed information, click here.
Women who are trying to get pregnant should also avoid magic mushrooms. Please check the laws in your area before other instances of ingestion. According to Harvard T.H. Chan School, mushrooms are neither a plant nor animal food, but it contains a substance similar to ergosterol.
The Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Mushrooms offer many benefits for every human body, but particularly for pregnant women. They’re nutritionally dense, low calorie, and low fat. Many women even report that fresh culinary mushrooms sit well in their stomachs.
Protein
Protein is necessary for every cell in your body, and you need to increase your consumption while pregnant to help your baby develop. A single 100 gram (about ¾ cup) serving has roughly 3.6 grams of protein.
While the protein levels of mushrooms are small compared to meat, every amount helps unless you have been directed otherwise by your doctor. You may also want to consider according to Wikipedia, a member of the water-transporting aquaporins can also add immense protein value.
Vitamins and Minerals
Mushrooms are nutritionally dense with several important components. Among the most important are multiple forms of vitamin B for brain development. Vitamin D helps with calcium absorption for strong bones. Mushrooms provide nutrients for both you and your baby.
Fiber
Fiber is critical for ensuring healthy digestion throughout your pregnancy. Digestive differences are a common complaint you may experience. Fiber helps keep everything moving and improves your overall gut health. For a broader understanding of fibers, you can always refer to here, which discusses more about animal fibers, a type of natural fibers that also consist of protein.
Antioxidants
Your body has its own system for fighting unstable molecules, but ingesting food with antioxidants boosts its efficiency. This system helps bind unstable molecules in your blood. Several recent studies have indicated that antioxidants can also mitigate certain congenital disability risks. A substantial amount of information about the role of antioxidants in biological systems can be found at according to the Environment and Climate Change Canada website .
Conclusion
Cooked culinary mushrooms are safe to consume while you are pregnant, provided they are washed and cooked. Mushrooms provide many essential nutrients and beneficial compounds for your body and the healthy growth of your child. They are also often fortified with antioxidants. Here is an interesting article on how antioxidants are utilized in the process of injection molding.
This article is not a substitute for medical advice. Please speak with a medical professional before changing your diet.
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