Is Hummus Safe to Eat During Pregnancy? All You Need to Know
Is Hummus safe to eat during pregnancy?
Yes, it is safe.
But it’s also essential to take some precautions if you are allergic to some ingredients needed to make Hummus. Why don’t we go through those ingredients and learn a bit more about how to satisfy your craving without putting your baby at risk?
Hummus includes healthy protein, phosphate, folate, and vitamin B. But that doesn’t make this food entirely safe, especially during pregnancy. The FDA recommends pregnant women to stay away from spreads and pates. But why?
Hummus is a high-water, low-acidity food that is susceptible to bacteria. Listeria and salmonella are the common bacteria visible in Hummus. The main reason for not recommending Hummus would be foodborne illness.
How about having homemade hummus? You may go for it because it is a safe option.
We have broken down the query into further details. Keep reading to learn more.
Is Hummus Safe to Eat During Pregnancy?
First, understand what’s stopping you from eating Hummus during pregnancy.
Is it skepticism? Or are you just too concerned about your health?
I have the answer to the second one, while I’ll leave the answer to you for the first question. Yes, you can totally eat this delicacy made of mashed chickpeas. The taste is boosted and flavored by tahini, olive oil, garlic, and salt.
So, should you worry about eating Hummus during pregnancy? No, Hummus is quite healthy and is rich in fiber and other macro and micronutrients.
The health benefits of eating Hummus are complimentary. But the taste and the flavor of this delicacy wins many hearts. If you are not allergic to any of the ingredients or spices added to Hummus, then you can eat it. But, if you have any allergic reaction to any of those, it’s best to avoid it.
But even if you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients, it’s best to keep your eating in moderation.
How Much Hummus Can You Eat?
You can eat freshly made Hummus, or you can store it, and have it whenever you need to. But, as we said before, you should eat in moderation. Understand your dietary needs and preferences and what’s the safe amount for you.
A reasonable amount would be around 2 to 4 tablespoons of Hummus daily. This is the safest amount for taste and health benefits. You can eat hummus that is stored in a refrigerator. But avoid it if it is in the fridge for too long. It’s best to eat it while it’s fresh.
You can eat Hummus either as a spread or as a dip. In both cases, it’s best to consider the other food that will accompany it. I suggest eating it with different nutritious foods as a dip.
This way, you’ll avoid a large amount of intake. Plus, homemade Hummus are better than the store-bought ones. The store-bought ones are high in sodium and can often cause gestational diabetes.
Why Should You Eat Hummus During Pregnancy?
Hummus provides different health benefits, especially to pregnant women. Here are some benefits you must be aware of if you are planning to incorporate Hummus into your diet.
Protein for Fetal Development
It’s best to diversify your protein sources to maintain your healthy diet – even during pregnancy. While nonveg sources are good, Hummus is a vegetarian source of protein and can help with fetal development during pregnancy.
You get 4 grams of protein for 100 grams of hummus serving. It provides you with an alternative for your taste buds if you are tired of nonveg protein sources. Again, it’s not an ideal protein source like the nonveg counterparts. But it’s certainly a better one compared to many other sources. Plus, you also get a change of taste.
Better Digestion
Constipation often creates difficulty during pregnancy. Hummus can help you handle this pregnancy symptom. It’s a food rich in fiber. And we know for a fact that fiber-rich food promotes better digestion.
Green veggies, peas, and carrots are great sources of fiber and are much-recommended dietary options during pregnancy. Hummus, made from peas, can also help improve your digestive system and get it back on track.
Avoid Chances of Birth Defects
Neural tube defects can create pregnancy complications. It’s best to have enough folic acid in your diet to avoid it. During the first trimester of pregnancy, a fetus is prone to defects. Hummus can help prevent risks related to fetus defects.
Bone Development
The nutrition you give to your body during pregnancy gets passed on to your baby. Calcium is a much-needed nutrient that helps grow your baby’s bones. Hummus, being rich in calcium, is a great food to include in you diet to promote bone development.
Prenatal Depression
Prenatal depression is a grave concern, and many would-be mothers are fighting to prevent it during pregnancy. There is a nutrient called choline that helps the nervous system and the brain function properly.
It also helps control wood-be-mother’s mood, muscles, and memory. If you are dealing with prenatal depression, it’s a great food to include in your diet.
High-Energy Food
Food like Hummus is rich in different macronutrients. It has a good combination of carbohydrates, healthy fat, and protein. If consumed, it can help you gain enough energy to battle fatigue and tiredness that bothers you throughout the day.
Relief From Morning Sickness
Morning sickness, one of the characteristic symptoms of pregnancy, is hard to deal with. Especially during the first trimester, morning sickness hits hard. It’s easier to taste its mild flavor and smooth texture.
Plus, it’s a well-balanced combination of healthy carbohydrates and protein. Consuming it provides a stabilized blood sugar level and reduces feelings of nausea.
Improved Heart Health
The cardiovascular system can face strain during pregnancy. There are monounsaturated fats, which are heart-healthy and help keep your cholesterol levels in check. By eating Hummus, you can give your body the healthy fat it deserves.
It helps keep your overall heart health in check while fulfilling the need for enough healthy fat.
Keep Blood Pressure Levels Steady
Is Hummus safe to eat during pregnancy? Well, now that you know it is, let’s check out another health benefit of eating Hummus. During pregnancy, high blood pressure and high blood sugar are two major difficulties women deal with.
As it is rich in magnesium and potassium, hummus can help keep the blood pressure level at a healthy state. This can potentially decrease hypertension or other symptoms like preeclampsia.
Take Precautions While Eating Hummus During Pregnancy
While all the benefits mentioned above might seem alluring, it’s also important to consider certain precautions while eating Hummus. If you are eating packaged Hummus, check out the expiration date before consuming it. Here are a few healthy practices and precautions you must take if you want to eat Hummus during pregnancy.
Maintain Hygiene
Is it safe to eat Hummus during pregnancy? No, it’s not safe to eat Hummus if proper hygiene isn’t maintained. If you are cooking it at home, make sure to keep your cutting boards, surfaces, and utensils clean. Always maintain a hygienic process to clean the kitchen where you make it. If you must buy it, it’s best to buy from reputed brands.
Keep Hummus from Raw Food
If you want to store Hummus and eat it at your convenience, you set it aside. If there are other raw foods in the fridge, it’s best to keep them away from the Hummus you have prepared for storage and eating later. This will stop the possibility of contamination.
Beware Known Allergies
Hummus would include different spices and ingredients like chickpeas, tahini, garlic, and more. Are you allergic to any of these ingredients?
If yes, it’s best to avoid them. Sometimes, you must improvise the recipe depending on what’s best for your body. Some of us are allergic to garlic, or sesame seeds present in tahini. Make sure to avoid ingredients you are allergic to.
Read the Label
It’s not possible to cook your favorite food all the time. When choosing store-bought Hummus, make sure to read the labels properly. Some store-bought products are full of additives, preservatives, and chemical ingredients. Go for the ones that promise the highest nutritional value and avoid artificial ingredients.
Follow the above-mentioned precautions to stay safe from any food contamination or negative effects of eating Hummus during pregnancy. A healthy eating habit not only keeps you safe but also promotes your and your baby’s growth.
Conclusion
You can eat Hummus while pregnant or while you are breastfeeding, please be careful. It has many nutritional sides thanks to the list of healthy ingredients used in making Hummus. But it’s best to make Hummus at home and keep it safe from any potential for cross-contamination.
Make sure you aren’t allergic to any of the ingredients used in making Hummus.
If you keep these tips in mind, hummus is quite healthy and tasty option for your diet. Let us know if this article clarifies your opinion. Take it to the comment section and share your feedback. Thank you for reading.
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