Mushrooms, the edible ones are the fleshy fungus that is sprouting out from the ground, on the soil from a pin stage to a button stage to a slightly bigger one. It is entirely vegan. Some mushrooms are carcinogenic as well. Some people have the cravings of eating mushrooms regularly, be it with soup or pizza or even boiled ones. Coming to pregnant women during their pregnancy, they have bizarre cravings. The cravings are so weird that we cannot even imagine them at all. One of those cravings is eating mushrooms. Eating mushrooms during pregnancy is not harmful at all. In fact, having mushrooms during pregnancy is nutritional to the mother and the unborn baby as well. There are different types of mushrooms present in the world. Only those mushrooms should be eaten which are edible, fresh and non-carcinogenic.
Is it Safe to Consume Mushroom During Pregnancy?
Yes, it is very safe to eat mushrooms during pregnancy provided you consume the right type of mushrooms, i.e., fresh, boiled and non-carcinogenic mushrooms. Mushrooms give some fantastic nutritional benefits to the mother and the unborn baby. Study says that mushrooms, when appropriately cooked, are very safe to eat during pregnancy. Raw mushrooms are very dangerous because, mushrooms themselves are fungi sprouting out of the ground which may contain toxins, heavy metals and harmful chemicals which can trigger fatal issues.
See More: Saffron (Kesar) During Pregnancy
Types of Mushrooms Can We Eat During Pregnancy:
There are different types of mushrooms. Some of them are listed below.
A) White Button Mushrooms:
These are common varieties found everywhere. They can be recognized by their pale white shoot with a spotted top. The top is flavorful and can be used to make delicious dishes like soups, pizzas etc.
B) Shiitake Mushrooms:
These are black and possess a leafy texture. They are popularly found in Chinese dishes.
C) Porcini Mushrooms:
These are golden in colour and highly flavorful. These are the most expensive and are used in Italian cuisine.
D) True Morel Mushrooms (Morchella):
These are wild mushrooms and have an edible strain that comes with a hollow stem. Make sure that you clean and cook them properly as these mushrooms are likely to cause allergic reactions.
E) Chestnut Mushrooms (Agaricus Bisporus):
They look similar to white button mushrooms but have a brown cap and pink to dark brown gills.
F) Magic Mushrooms:
It contains psilocybin, a chemical that alters brain activity and affects your growing fetus. These should not be consumed.
Other edible mushrooms that can be eaten during pregnancy are King Oysters/Eringi, Enoki, and Buna-Shimeji.
Nutritional Facts of Mushrooms During Pregnancy:
- Mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamin B, particularly niacin and riboflavin. You need Vitamin –B to promote healthy skin, nerves and digestion and use the energy from the food you eat. A cup of mushrooms can provide you with 21% of the daily recommended niacin, and around 8% of daily recommended riboflavin.
- Vitamin D is equally essential during pregnancy as it helps absorb the calcium for the development of the bones of the fetus. One cup of mushrooms contains 12.6 International units of vitamin-D.
- The volume of blood increase during pregnancy, hence you need more haemoglobin which means that your body requires more iron. For this, you need to consume 25mg of iron on a daily basis. One cup of morel mushrooms can make around 8mg of iron.
- Mushrooms also provide antioxidants to protect your cells from free radical damage. Selenium, vitamin-C and chlorine are the antioxidant agents present in the mushrooms.
- The dietary fibre present in mushrooms helps fight constipation.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms During Pregnancy:
- The Vitamin-B components in the mushrooms include riboflavin which makes your unborn baby’s bones strong and strengthens muscles.
- Mushrooms reduce fatigue which is very common during pregnancy.
- Mushrooms are rich in pathogenic acid, which prevents constipation and digestive disorders which pregnant women face regularly.
- Niacin and thiamine in mushrooms strengthen the central nervous system of the mother and the unborn baby.
- As told in the nutritional facts, mushrooms are rich in vitamin-D, which helps in promoting the growth of the bones of the unborn baby. The development of the baby mainly depends on the food consumed by the mother. For the development of bones intake of properly boiled mushrooms are necessary.
- Mushrooms contain abundant quantities of iron in it, which is very essential for the pregnant woman for the increase of the haemoglobin percentage in the blood.
- Mushrooms also contain zinc, potassium and selenium which assist the baby’s growth and development.
Side Effects of Mushrooms During Pregnancy:
Apart from the benefits, eating mushrooms during pregnancy have some disadvantages as well. Here are some of them.
- As told earlier, there are different types of mushrooms: mushrooms which are edible and some of the wild. Wild mushrooms might be tasty, but they contain some toxins and harmful chemicals which can trigger fatal issues.
- Magic mushrooms contain psilocybin, a chemical which alters brain activity and affects your growing fetus. These should not be consumed even during breastfeeding.
- Excessive intake of mushrooms is also problematic as it alters the metabolism, which in turn affects the unborn baby.
Incorporating In Diet While Pregnant:
Before consuming the mushrooms, the first and foremost thing is to wash and clean them carefully to remove any soil particles or grit and any pesticides if any. If required, trim the ends of the stalks. You can use mushrooms whole sliced or diced.
- Sautéing any mushroom with onions for a quick, tasty side dish.
- You can add mushrooms to your stir-fries.
- Topping a salad with raw, sliced cremini or white mushrooms.
- Stuffing and baking Portobello mushrooms.
- Adding sliced mushrooms to omelettes, breakfast scrambles pizzas and quiches.
- Sautéing shiitake mushrooms in olive oil or broth for a healthful side dish.
- Removing the stems of Portobello mushrooms, marinating the caps in a mixture of olive oil, onion, garlic and vinegar for 1 hour, and then grilling them for 10 minutes.
- Adding Portobello mushrooms to sandwiches or wraps.
Precautions To Take for Having Mushroom When Pregnant:
- Make sure to buy fresh mushrooms which do not have decaying spots and bruises.
- Make sure to the expiration date for the processed mushrooms. In fact, stay away from processed mushrooms as much as possible.
- Never ever consume raw mushrooms. Clean them boil them and consume them.
- It is better to check for any allergic reactions by taking in a small quantity prior to consuming a whole lot of mushrooms.
- Avoid consuming magic mushrooms at any cost.
- When buying fresh mushrooms, chose ones that are firm, dry and unbruised. Avoid mushrooms that appear slimy or withered.
Mushrooms are a nutritional and great food for the unborn baby inside you. Make sure to add them to your diet in order to get maximum benefit. They are delicious and easy to cook. Interesting recipes can be found on the internet. Enjoy the flavour of mushrooms while your unborn baby gets benefited from their nutritional value. Always remember to consult your doctor in case you have any questions. After all, pregnancy is a phase to enjoy and gorge on your favourite foods (with necessary precautions)….Enjoy while it lasts!
See More: Eating Pickles During Pregnancy
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1. Is it safe to eat canned mushrooms during pregnancy?
Ans: No. Because canned mushrooms may contain preservatives. Try to avoid them. If there is no alternative, check for the expiry date before purchasing.
Q2. Eating mushrooms during breastfeeding is safe or not?
Ans: Ye, it is perfectly safe and very good to eat mushrooms during breastfeeding. The essential nutrients present in the mushrooms will boost your immune system.
Q3. Can I eat mushrooms during early pregnancy?
Ans: Yes, you can eat mushrooms during early pregnancy. Constipation and indigestion are the most common problems that are faced during early pregnancy; the fibre content present in the mushrooms might help in dealing with such problems.
Q4. Is it true that craving mushrooms tell us the gender of the baby?
Ans: False. It is just a myth of old women’s sayings. It is not
Disclaimer:
The information present in this article is solely for information purposes, and this should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult your doctor or gynaecologist before making any changes to your diet and especially if you are really interested and craving mushrooms.
