Vegetables are a great source of nutrition for pregnant women. However, you might be curious to know about the safety of radish during pregnancy. The vegetable is known to have numerous health benefits and provides many essential nutrients required for a healthy pregnancy. However, consuming it raw may cause infections that lead to further complications in some cases. However, it does not imply that pregnant women cannot eat radish. If you crave it, follow some safety tips when cooking so you can enjoy its nutrition without dealing with any infection. Read the post to understand more about the benefits and risks of eating radish during pregnancy.
The Health Benefits Of Radishes
Just a single serving of radishes a day can provide your body many important nutrients your developing baby needs. Radish is a rich source of calcium. Calcium is an important nutrient you need to have during pregnancy as it aids the development of the baby’s bones and muscles. Radishes are a storehouse of folic acid, which is a vital nutrient for pregnant women. Adequate folic acid levels in the body protect your baby against any birth defects. (1) In addition to that, radishes also contain potassium, iron and vitamin C, which can be extremely beneficial for an expecting mom.
Is Radish Good During Pregnancy?
You may be surprised to note that radishes, which are a super-food, are not safe for consumption during pregnancy. Pregnancy is a critical time when your baby’s growth and development is at stake. According to Colorado State University, a woman is prone to illnesses during pregnancy as her immunity is low. Foods grown in contaminated soil are likely to contain toxoplasmosis. The germs may pass from the raw vegetables into the body and cause various infections. The consumption of raw vegetables that are unwashed may lead to a higher risk of salmonella and E.coli infections. (2) Fever and dehydration, the classic symptoms associated with these infections, may adversely affect your baby’s health. In rare cases, a severe infection may lead to a miscarriage, fetal death, and preterm delivery. Therefore, remember any laxity in diet on your part may lead to complications in your pregnancy. You can only munch on radishes if you follow a few safety measures while consuming it.
Safety Measures To Follow
The threat of infections does not necessarily imply that you ban radishes from your kitchen during your pregnancy. You just need to follow a few safety precautions while eating radishes and other raw vegetables so that you can keep the threat of infections at bay. Here is a list of safety measures you can take before you snack on radish salad.
Make sure you wash the vegetables properly and scrub off any visible dirt. Never consume raw vegetables without washing them thoroughly.
If you must, make use of a vegetable brush to get rid of all the traces of dirt and grime on the vegetable.
It is advisable to properly steam or cook the vegetables before consuming them. Heat kills the pathogens that cause infections and makes the fresh vegetables safe for consumption. (3)
Add radishes to your soups or sauté them to make a healthy side dish.
Prefer to have hot or warm dishes made with radish which need preparation under heat ,prefer not to eat raw.
If you have chopped radishes on a chopping board, make sure you clean it again before proceeding to chop other vegetables.
Follow these simple steps to safely add radishes to your diet and enjoy its nutritional benefits. You may also consult your doctor before grabbing one.
