This article is about the benefits of eating eggs during pregnancy. The article also explains various risks associated with consuming eggs during pregnancy and the safety measures to taken.Nina is in her 1st trimester of pregnancy and wants to know about the food items essential for her to eat during her
pregnancy period. She wants to know if eating eggs would help her to get essential nutrients for her and her baby or there is any harmful effect of eating eggs during pregnancy.
Harmful Effects of Eating Eggs during Pregnancy
As Salmonella bacteria are found on the egg shells, eating eggs during pregnancy without taking required safety measures may increase the risk of Salmonella Infection in pregnant women. Vomiting,
nausea, diarrhoea, fever or stomach cramps are the common symptoms of Salmonella Infection.
In rare cases, the bacteria may enter the bloodstream and more complications could occur. Infection of kidneys, heart valves, heart lining and brain abscess may happen when Salmonella Bacteria enters the blood stream. This is very harmful for the mother and the baby both and can cause birth defects in the babies.
During pregnancy, doctors do not recommend consumption of raw and/or partially cooked eggs because these eggs may have Salmonella present in them. Pregnant women should have eggs that are hard-boiled. It is safe to eat eggs that have solid egg white and solid egg yolk. Food items such as mousses, mayonnaise or salads dressed with raw or semi-solid eggs should not be taken to avoid Salmonella infection.
Is it Healthy to Eat Eggs during Pregnancy?
During pregnancy, it is mandatory for the would-be mothers to eat healthy. To keep their
diet healthy pregnant women have to include food items from all types of food groups. A pregnant woman must consume right amount of calories everyday and having eggs on daily basis would definitely ensure that they are eating healthy and the calorie requirement of the body gets fulfilled.
Can I Eat Eggs during Pregnancy?
Yes, a pregnant woman can definitely eat hard boiled eggs during pregnancy as eggs are considered as a whole food which has almost all types of nutrients required for a would-be mother. However, in some households, eating eggs is not considered safe during
first trimester as it is considered to be one of the heat inducing foods.
Is it Good to Eat Eggs during Pregnancy?
It is absolutely good to eat eggs during pregnancy provided they are fresh and are properly cooked. Eggs being rich source of protein and many other nutrients, pregnant women get benefitted by including eggs in their diet. The egg protein has all the essential amino acids needed for a human body.
Benefits of Eating Eggs during Pregnancy
Keeping eggs in the daily diet plan is definitely going to be a very good source of different types of nutrients for a pregnant woman. There is about 6.3 gm protein in an egg. A pregnant woman must consume 90 – 110 gm protein everyday so 1 – 2 eggs daily can be taken by a would-be mother. Eggs are good source of Zinc, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin B Complex and Calcium. A whole egg has 5 gm fat, 63 mg sodium, 16 gm saturated fat, and 213 mg cholesterol. A whole egg has total of 75 calories so consuming 1 or 2 eggs in a day will fulfil the nutritional requirement of a would-be mother.
Is it Harmful to Eat Eggs during Pregnancy?
Eggs are good to eat during pregnancy but there are certain risks associated too. Pregnant women must take extra care to avoid any kind of health problems that are associated with eating eggs. Raw egg shells have Salmonella Bacteria harbouring on them. If these bacteria enter the body of a pregnant woman then it may cause serious health problems for the mother and the baby both.
It would definitely be harmful to consume eggs without taking required hygiene measures. One whole egg has 235 mg cholesterol so pregnant women who are overweight or having the history of heart disease of high cholesterol should avoid taking egg yolk and can consume egg white.
