In this brief guide, we will answer the query, “can you eat escargot when pregnant?”. We will also talk about foods to avoid eating while pregnant.
Can you eat escargot when pregnant?
Yes, it is okay to eat escargot when pregnant considering you are not allergic to seafood or shellfish. Escargot is low in carbohydrates and high in proteins, iron, magnesium, vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, and potassium which are essential nutrients for a pregnant mother and her developing unborn child.
There are a lot of health benefits of eating escargot during the pregnancy period which is equally beneficial to the mother and the baby.
One should be mindful that the snails used in preparing the dish should be clean, healthy, and from a good source.
What is escargot?
Escargot is an exotic delicacy prepared from snails in most European countries like France and Portugal. It is served as an appetiser with other components and addons like garlic, butter, and wine.
The term escargot is a french term for small snails. The dish is made using the snails that are purged before boiling them in salt water and then either shell removed or with shells on is cooked in a pan with other ingredients to add on flavours.
Is it safe to eat escargot when pregnant?
During pregnancy, it is inevitable to have food cravings for varieties of dishes and delicacies. Craving for escargot cannot be undermined. It is totally safe to eat escargot when pregnant.
One should keep in mind to have the snails purged before cooking because as we know snails feed on things that humans would not consume like soil, leaves, etc. So in order to get rid of the unwanted things in their digestive system, purging is important.
Make sure the snails are cooked properly and hygienically. Escargot is full of lean protein which is essential during pregnancy and keeps your calories under control helping you keep an eye on your weight.
What are the health benefits of eating escargot?
There are many health benefits of eating escargot during pregnancy. As the snails have a lot of nutritional benefits, consuming escargot is definitely beneficial with all the vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, and proteins helping in the growth of the developing baby and the expecting mother.
Let us elaborate more on the health benefits of eating escargot during pregnancy.
High protein content
High protein from the escargot helps the mother in increasing her vitality and helping in the building and restoration of muscles.
The escargot is fat, sugar, and carbohydrate free and only has lean protein which is really needed for the growth of the baby.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a necessary nutrient needed in healthy humans since it helps in producing red blood cells and maintaining the neurological system.
The snails used to cook escargot are full of vitamin B12 which makes it a good choice to eat when pregnant.
Low calorie
If you are pregnant and are worried about your body weight then look no further, escargot is the best food you can imagine. They are high on lean protein, low in calories, and have no fat, sugar, or carbs.
Eating food with nutrients is important during pregnancy whilst watching your weight. Snails are a perfect food to consume without compromising the taste and the nutritional value needed for a healthy mother and baby.
Source of minerals
Snails used in the escargot are high in minerals such as potassium and sodium which are vital nutrients for overall cardiovascular health and to regulate your blood pressure.
What are the side effects of eating escargot?
Though escargot has a lot of health benefits, one should avoid eating them in large quantities. Overeating snails can cause health ailments such as gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhoea.
It is not healthy to have any gastro-related ailment during pregnancy, so if you have any of these symptoms then either reduce the amount and period of consumption of escargot in your diet or completely stop eating them.
What foods should you avoid eating when pregnant?
There are few food items that one should avoid eating when pregnant since they do not do any good for the health of the mother or the unborn baby. Here is the list of food items to avoid eating during pregnancy.
- Seafood with high mercury content
- Raw or undercooked or smoked seafood
- Undercooked meat, poultry, and eggs
- Unpasteurized foods including milk, cheese, and juices
- Alcohol of any kind
- Excess caffeine
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the query, “can you eat escargot when pregnant?”. We also talked about food to avoid eating while pregnant.
I hope you find this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
