Can you eat nori when pregnant

Certified Organic seaweeds have been grown and harvested in unpolluted waters that are free from harmful chemicals. That crop exists. Eating seaweeds can help you avoid iodine deficiency Typical Western diets are low in iodine. Iodine in nori Iodine is an essential micronutrient because your body cannot make iodine — and it is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Blend sheets of nori with a little bit of sea salt and bam! Sprinkle crushed up toasted seaweed snacks over your salads, or soups.

Fill a nori wrap with tofu, baked kumara, avocado, quinoa and greens. It will be loads better for you than that 8 pack of sushi. Hummus or nut cheese spread over some seaweed snacks makes an awesome low carb, high protein snack. Of course, it can be enjoyed on its own as a crispy snack, just like a bag of chips -but way better for you.

Choose certified organic seaweed where possible Seaweeds absorb the properties of their environment, which includes any pollutants in the water. Kelp, in particular, has higher amounts of iodine than other kinds of seaweed. Pregnant women should steer clear of supplements containing kelp source: NCBI.

Kelp in foods can still be eaten up to once a week. Red seaweed is one you might come across often, even though it looks green! Red seaweed includes:.

Bear in mind that green nori is either red seaweed with food coloring or a green seaweed, pretending to be nori! Red seaweeds are safe during pregnancy and can be eaten more often than brown seaweed. Like red seaweed, green seaweed is also pregnancy-safe and can offer several benefits for pregnant women source: PMC. With an abundance of health benefits, seaweed is a great addition to your diet during pregnancy source: PubMed.

The protein present in some seaweeds, such as spirulina and chlorella, contains all of the essential amino acids source: NCBI. It is also full of vitamin C and helps in aiding the absorption of iron present in seaweeds source : Pubmed.

Seaweed is a good source of several minerals, including calcium, copper, iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc source: Food and Nutrition. The iodine level in seaweed, mainly brown seaweed, helps promote healthy thyroid activity, while the iron is essential for hemoglobin production during pregnancy source: PMC. As previously mentioned, brown seaweed is best limited to once a week, though the iodine it contains is still essential during pregnancy.

Brown seaweeds also have anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce joint and muscle pain source: PMC. Seaweeds are a good source of antioxidants source: PMC and omega-3 fatty acids, which help develop the fetal brain source: PMC. Seaweeds are also excellent sources of fiber, which is known for helping with common pregnancy ailments such as constipation and other digestive problems Source: Gut Microbes Journal.

A study conducted on Japanese women confirmed that seaweed consumption during pregnancy could reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in women to a considerable extent source: PMC. If it is consumed in more than required amounts it may lead to possible complications during pregnancy.

This is because seaweed has high amounts of iodine in it and more amount of iodine in the body may hamper the proper functioning of the thyroid. It may cause various medical complications during pregnancy and it may even harm your unborn baby.

The daily recommended dosage of seaweed is micrograms approximately and you should limit the intake to one serving per week. However, this may be true in case of brown seaweed but it has higher amounts of iodine in comparison to green or red varieties. Thus you may not be required to limit your green or red seaweed consumption to one serving per week. However, talking to your doctor before adding seaweed to your pregnancy diet is strictly recommended.

However, excessive amounts of it may lead to high amounts of iodine is both the mother and her baby, which may sometimes even cause hypothyroidism in babies. You can make some delicious dishes using seaweed; however, do not forget to consume it in moderation in order to avoid any kind of complications.

Here is a detectable salad recipe using seaweed that may help in boosting your iodine levels. This is a healthy seaweed salad pregnancy recipe is quick to make and super yummy. It can be used as a side dish or main course. Here is what all you may require and how you can make it:. There are umpteen foods available that may contain seaweed in it.

While seaweed provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, it may also contain high amounts of sodium. Vegetarian sushi options are safe to eat during pregnancy provided they do not touch a surface that has been used to prepare raw fish.

Pregnant women should avoid raw fish during pregnancy due to high mercury levels and the increased risk of bacterial infection. Although eating seaweed is considered safe during pregnancy, avoid supplements containing seaweed during pregnancy unless otherwise directed by your physician.

Adrienne Weeks spends her time as a collegiate speech instructor, fitness instructor and stay-at-home mom.

She holds a master's degree in communication studies from Texas Tech University. Weeks has written about a wide variety of topics but enjoys sharing her passion about fitness, cooking and parenting.

Edible seaweed comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and colors.