Mushrooms during pregnancy: who can and why shouldn't they (+16 photos)?

Pregnancy is a time when many changes occur in a woman's daily routine. Some routines are strictly off-limits, and adjustments are made to her diet. This is primarily for the health and safety of the fetus, as there are a huge number of foods that can cause allergies in the womb.

This primarily applies to spicy foods and products generously loaded with food coloring. Mushrooms are also prohibited for pregnant women, although not all mushrooms—some types are not only safe to eat but are even beneficial during pregnancy. However, they must be consumed correctly. Otherwise, the benefits can lead to serious harm.

The benefits of mushrooms for pregnant women and their fetuses

A pregnant woman's body requires a constant supply of vitamins and minerals. A deficiency in these essential nutrients primarily impacts the unborn child and its development. Mushrooms are rich in beneficial and nutritious substances essential for the expectant mother and fetus, but they also offer the following benefits:

• Highly nutritious and low in calories, these properties make it much easier for pregnant women to maintain a healthy weight throughout pregnancy. Furthermore, after consuming it, they will feel full for a long time.

  

• Protein richness. This element plays a vital role in the expectant mother's body. Protein also helps ensure the proper intrauterine development of the fetus;
• Lecithin content. This component is essential for the normal functioning of the heart and blood vessels. This is especially important for pregnant women.

In addition, mushrooms contain a large amount of antioxidants. They protect the body from toxic and radiation exposure and remove harmful elements and free radicals.

Thanks to this combination of essential ingredients, this product supports immunity. This is extremely important for pregnant women, who experience severe immune suppression during the gestation period.

Why is it dangerous to eat mushrooms during pregnancy?

All foods have both beneficial and harmful properties, and mushrooms are no exception. Pregnant women should avoid mushrooms because:

1. Insufficient or improper heat treatment of the product may lead to poisoning.

   

2. They are hard on the stomach and can cause discomfort, bloating, nausea, and even vomiting. Therefore, women should consume them in limited quantities.
3. The product can cause severe allergic reactions. And since the immune system is weakened during pregnancy, allergies can be much more pronounced and intense.

Some mushrooms are strictly prohibited for consumption during pregnancy, and every woman expecting a baby needs to take this into account.

Rules for using the product

There are only two types of mushrooms that are safe for women to consume during pregnancy:

1. Hand-assembled. Such products can only be consumed if the expectant mother or one of her relatives who collected the mushrooms has a thorough understanding of them.
2. Purchased. Forestry products sold in supermarkets are grown in special conditions, with strict adherence to technology and all growing regulations.

However, it's important to avoid purchasing these products from suspicious or unfamiliar vendors at markets, especially if the expectant mother isn't familiar with the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms.

Which mushrooms are the safest?

Experts say that if a new mother really wants to try this product, it's best to choose champignons. They're rich in all the necessary nutrients, and their flavor is pleasant even raw. However, during pregnancy, they should only be consumed after being thoroughly cooked.

Second in safety for pregnant women are butter mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms are third. Honey mushrooms come in last.

Processing rules

Before cooking, even supermarket-bought mushrooms should be thoroughly washed in several washes and then, if necessary, further peeled with a knife. For example, it's recommended to remove the membrane from butter mushrooms, as it can impart a bitter taste.

It is extremely important to sort through the food and throw away any that have started to spoil or look suspicious. Don't trim off rotten parts or consume the remaining flesh—if the rotting process has already begun, there's no need to take questionable and downright dangerous measures to correct the situation. After the preparatory stage, you can proceed directly to preparing the mushroom dish.

Cooking rules

Before cooking, cut the mushrooms into cubes or strips (whichever is more convenient for you), place them in a saucepan, cover with water, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, drain the liquid, add fresh water, season with salt, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.

Pregnant women are strongly advised against frying mushrooms, as they become difficult for the stomach to digest. This puts the expectant mother at risk of bloating and even digestive problems, which will negatively impact both her health and the fetus.

You should also avoid pickled mushrooms, no matter how much you crave them. Pickled products from a jar, even if they're not marinated like store-bought mushrooms, are also off-limits. These delicacies are usually generously salted, and salt tends to retain water in tissues. This can lead to swelling in the arms, legs, or even the face or stomach.

What should the serving size be?

It's important for expectant mothers to know how much of this mushroom delicacy they can eat at one time. It's best to consume this product in minimal quantities to avoid harming yourself and your baby. Generally, 3-5 medium-sized mushrooms per day is sufficient.

Absolute and relative contraindications for use

Pregnant women are strictly prohibited from eating mushrooms in three cases:

1. If you have any gastrointestinal diseases. This applies not only to current illnesses but also to past ones. This product should not be consumed by those with chronic gastrointestinal conditions, as it may exacerbate them.
2. If you're prone to allergies or intolerance to mushrooms in general. During pregnancy, most women's tastes change, and things they could easily live without become the ultimate craving after conception. But you can't risk your health—either yours or your baby's. If you have an allergy to mushrooms, it won't go away. And even if you really want to eat a mushroom dish, it's best to avoid it.
3. If you are not completely sure that the mushroom is safe.

A relative contraindication to the consumption of these products is the presence of edema. However, this only applies to pickled and canned mushrooms. If they are boiled, then they are acceptable to consume in minimal quantities (1-2 at a time).

Answers to frequently asked questions

Since young mothers are interested in everything related to nutrition during pregnancy, we'll answer the most frequently asked questions:

Thus, enjoying mushroom dishes during pregnancy is possible, and if done sparingly, even recommended. However, it's important to know your limits and follow all the rules, as a woman is responsible not only for her own health but also for the safety of her unborn child.