During pregnancy, you may desire a whole lot of foods that possibly never fascinated you before. If asparagus is part of such a craving, it is essential to know how beneficial it would be for you and your baby before adding it to your curries, soups, and spreads.
Can pregnant women eat asparagus?
Asparagus is considered a healthy vegetable during pregnancy when eaten in moderate amounts because of its rich content of minerals and vitamins, with the green variety being more beneficial than the white one.
It is essential to wash and cook well before eating it to eliminate harmful microbes the raw vegetable might contain.
Besides being at the risk of ingesting parasites, you may even be deprived of adequate nutrition if you eat it in its uncooked form.
3 reasons why asparagus is good for pregnant women
1. Rich in folic acid
100 grams of cooked asparagus accounts for about 67% of the daily value of folic acid [1]. Due to the high folic acid content, including it as part of your diet would lessen the risk of neural tube defects and minimize your possibility of developing preeclampsia.
2. High calcium content
Besides helping the fetus develop strong bones and teeth alongside a healthy heart, calcium also lessens the risks of high blood pressure and preeclampsia in the mother.
With one cup of cooked asparagus containing about 41.40 mg of the mineral, you can consider it in your list of calcium-rich foods to eat when pregnant.
3. Good amount of vitamins
Vitamin C helps the unborn baby’s collagen formation, acting as an immunity booster. Vitamin B6 balances the glucose levels and contributes to developing the baby’s nervous system and brain. On the other hand, Vitamin D helps regulate the body’s calcium and phosphate content, which is essential for healthy bones and teeth.
Ideas for eating asparagus
- Sauteed and sliced into salads.
- Cooked and seasoned with lemon juice and butter.
- Steamed, boiled, or baked.
- In soups or as a garnish, sprinkle over curries or omelets.
- Blended into juice along with apple and carrot.
Myths about asparagus and pregnancy
- Eating asparagus can affect a home pregnancy test, yielding false positive results.
- Your urine may be smelly during pregnancy after consuming asparagus.
Safety warnings
- Since asparagus contains the carbohydrate raffinose, it may increase gas formation in your stomach, which can be even more intense if you already suffer from digestive ailments.
- Avoid having it if you are allergic to onion, leeks, garlic, and chives, as they all belong to the same family.
Dr. Mashiach has completed his MD at the Sackler School of Medicine, TAU; specialization in gynecology at the Lis Maternity and Women’s Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center; fellowship in Endoscopy at the Polyclinique de I’Hotel-Dieu, Universite d’Auvergne, Clermont, France.
He is a Senior Physician, Director of the Department of Gynecology, which provides routine and preventative care services to its patients and a full range of gynecological surgical procedures for adequately managing its patients with benign gynecologic disorders.
He offers advanced care in all gynecological subspecialties such as Urogynecology, Colposcopy, Fetal Loss Clinic, and Post Menopausal Clinic.
