Yes, you can eat sprouts while pregnant as long as you take some necessary precautions. Sprouts are usually grown in a warm and moist container, which is a suitable environment for harmful substances, like bacteria, to grow. However, this doesn’t mean that you need to stop eating sprouts during pregnancy as they have great nutritional value.
Sprouts are a major source of protein, which is essential for the growth and development of your baby. Moreover, they also contain several vitamins and minerals including phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, folate, and vitamin C. These are all beneficial for the mother as well as the baby. In fact, if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, sprouts can even help you manage your condition because of their protein content. Another nutrient that you can derive from sprouts is antioxidants. These are compounds that detoxify your body, improve your digestive health, keep your skin and hair healthy, and reduce your risk of heart disease.
It is safe for you to eat cooked sprouts when pregnant. To prevent the risk of bacterial infection, make sure that you cook the raw sprouts at a temperature of 165 F or 74 C before eating them. This generally means that you have to cook them thoroughly rather than simply steaming them. The high temperature is necessary to kill any bacteria that may be present in the food. When you’re eating at a restaurant, avoid ordering items that may contain raw sprouts.
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