Pregnancy brings about a lot of changes in a women’s body. Similarly, it significantly boosts women’s nutritional needs as well. It increases the need for nutrition such as protein, energy, and omega 3 fatty acids. At the same time, vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc and folate are also necessary. One food that is considered to be the best to meet the nutritional demands of pregnant women is eggs. Thanks to their high nutrient density, a lot of women indulge in eggs during pregnancy.
Are Eggs Safe During Pregnancy?
Eggs are considered to be safe during pregnancy as far as they are cooked well. It is advisable to cook eggs thoroughly well until 71°C to ensure that they are completely cooked. In the case of poached or boiled eggs, the white needs to be set while the yolk should thicken.
This simply means that eggs are safe for pregnant women as long as they are completely cooked through. Also, it is best to avoid foods with raw eggs like homemade mayonnaise, aioli, mousse, cake batter and similar foods.
On the other hand, commercially store brought mayonnaise are known to be safe as they are usually heat treated. This process destroys all potentially dangerous bacteria thus making them safe for consumption.
Key Health Benefits of Eggs During Pregnancy
- Eggs are a versatile and power-packed rich source of some essential nutrients.
- Eating an appropriate amount of eggs during pregnancy will offer the baby the required protein. This is essential for healthy growth.
- Eggs comprise choline which is essential for the growth and development of the baby brain. Besides, regular consumption of eggs also prevents the baby from developing various diseases like anencephaly and spina bifida.
- Every egg contains about 70 calories that fulfil a part of the basic diet. This is essential for the growth of the baby and the health of the mother.
- If the pregnant woman suffers from cholesterol issues, then such mothers are advised to only consume eggs white and avoid the yolk.
- Furthermore, eggs are rich in vitamins A, D, E and K. All of these vitamins are essential for the healthy development of the baby.
- Also, eggs are rich in antioxidants like zeaxanthin and lutein. These are known to help with vision development and the eye. At the same time, eggs are rich in Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B2.
Cracking Popular Egg Myths
- Myth: It is best to avoid yolk and only consume the white.
The Truth: The egg white and yolk both comprise different vitamins and minerals. While a majority of the protein is found in the egg yolk, the egg white comprises selenium and riboflavin.
- Myth: Eggs are very much high in fat
The Truth: Relatively low in saturated fat, eggs contain an average of just 1.77 grams per egg.
- Myth: Pregnant women must avoid eggs as it can cause risk to the unborn child
The Truth: There is no truth to this claim. In fact, experts believe that pregnant women must consume eggs and include them in their basic diet for the healthy development of the baby.
The Bottom Line
If you are expecting and love eating eggs, then there should be no reason why you should stop eating them. However, make sure that the eggs are thoroughly cooked. Avoid eating raw eggs as they can be dangerous. We hope that you liked this article. For more articles like these, consider sharing this one.
