Pregnancy & Bean Sprouts

When you are pregnant, some food that you might normally eat must be avoided. Bean sprouts, for example, would seem harmless enough, but you have to stay away from them when you are expecting.

What are Bean Sprouts?

There are many types of sprouts--alfalfa sprouts and mung beans, for example--and the sprout itself is the product of the germinated bean. The sprouts are packaged fresh, frozen and canned. Vitamin A is the main nutrient found in bean sprouts and is vital in keeping your immune system and vision intact. Yes, you do need more nutrients among other things because you are pregnant. However, too much vitamin A can cause illness and even birth defects. Bean sprouts should not be your source of vitamin A while you are pregnant because of the illness risks they carry.

Contamination

As it is a risk with most foods, bean sprouts are subject to contamination by harmful bacteria. Raw bean sprouts have been known to carry E. coli and Salmonella. If contamination does occur, it happens in the beginning of the planting stage before the bean even sprouts. Homegrown beans are not any safer to eat because they can still become contaminated. If not washed or cooked thoroughly, you can become severely ill. Pregnant women are especially at risk because of a potentially weakened immune system unable to fight the bacteria and the ability to get sick fairly easily.

What Can Happen

Nausea, diarrhea and fever are a few symptoms of E. coli or Salmonella poisoning and can last for several days at a time. If you are ill with these symptoms when pregnant, it can be dangerous to both you and your baby. You may become dehydrated, which in turn takes fluids away from the baby, and you may end up in the hospital with IV fluids. Also, your high fever is a warning sign that your body is trying its hardest to fight off the bacteria.

How to Eat Sprouts

If you decide to eat bean sprouts, you should never eat them raw. Cooking them is the only way to be mostly sure you that the bacteria have died and they are safe to eat. When pregnant, why take the risk?

Alfalfa sprouts should never really be eaten at all when pregnant since they are dangerous if eaten raw and when cooked they turn to a pile of mush.

What to Eat Instead

In order to keep up with the vitamin A and nutrients you need, eat cooked spinach instead. For a sandwich or salad, fresh spinach or arugula leaves are alright to eat as long as you wash them thoroughly. Remember there are always alternatives to your food cravings, so only eat what is safe for you when you are pregnant.