Consuming beetroot during pregnancy can satiate your craving, preventing the intake of high-calorie foods, such as sweets and cakes. Controlling sweet cravings in pregnancy can get tricky. However, you can manage your sweet tooth effectively by eating fruits and veggies in various forms. You may try beetroots, for instance. Beetroots can offer dietary fiber and several nutrients to contribute to your nutritional requirements. You can also use beetroot to make delicious curries, shakes, and even desserts that you would love to relish. But before you try it, learn if beetroot is a safe choice for pregnant women? Scroll down to learn more about the safety of beetroot for pregnant women, its possible health benefits, and its side effects.
Can You Eat Beetroot During Pregnancy?
You may consume moderate amounts of beetroot during pregnancy. This comes up to around two beetroots a day. The vegetable is known to have blood purifying, detoxifying, and body revitalizing properties and may be consumed raw, cooked, or juiced. Kristin Gillespie, MS, LD, a registered dietitian and certified nutrition support clinician from Virginia Beach, Virginia, says, “Beets do not need to be avoided at any point during pregnancy, although you may need to limit your consumption if you are prone to kidney stones or blood pressure abnormalities.”
Nutritional Profile Of Beetroot
A 100 gram serving of raw beetroot might provide you the following nutrients that could help with your pregnancy needs (1).
Health Benefits Of Beetroot Or Beetroot Juice During Pregnancy
Here is how eating beetroot during pregnancy might help with the below issues. According to Johna Burdeos, a registered dietitian from Greater Houston, Texas, “Nitrates are known to help improve blood flow. As beets naturally contain nitrates, if consumed during pregnancy, they could help improve blood flow to the placenta. However, we need more studies to validate this.” The vegetable could also result in a few side effects in some people.
Are There Any Side Effects Of Eating Beetroot During Pregnancy?
If the doctor tells you not to eat beetroot excessively, there could be some valid reasons for that. Some of the possible risks of having beetroot and its juice in excess during pregnancy are mentioned next.
Beetroot contains betaine, which could cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal issues.
Burdeos suggests, “People with irritable bowel syndrome should be cautious when eating beets, as they can cause digestive issues.”
High quantities of oxalate are known to cause kidney stones (12).
The presence of nitrates may trigger fatigue (13).
Might cause beeturia, a condition where urine and stools turn red (14).
How To Eat Beetroot During Pregnancy?
Here is how you may include beetroot in your pregnancy diet.
Slice them and combine them with other vegetables to make a salad.
Bake along with other vegetables or eat them roasted.
Boil beetroots and season them with salt and pepper to make a healthy dish.
A juice of beetroots and carrots makes a great breakfast or evening beverage.
Grate the beetroot and add to the dough to make crunchy parathas or tortillas
Keep reading for a few beetroot recipes that you may try during pregnancy.
1. Beetroot powder
One to two teaspoons of homemade beetroot powder can be added to water or any juice. You will need:
One beetroot
How to make: Preparation time: 12hr 30min
2. Pickled beetroot
Pickled beets can be used as a snack, in salads or as a side dish with sandwiches or tortilla rolls. You will need:
1lb beetroot (around six to seven small ones) ½ cup sugar ¼ cup white vinegar ½ tsp black peppercorns ¼ tsp salt 2 bay leaves
How to make: Preparation time: 55min Servings: 4
3. Easy beet greens recipe
With a distinct and delicious taste, beetroot leaves have vitamin and mineral content. These leaves, with a good folate and vitamin A content, may prevent neural tube defects and facilitate healthy fetal growth (5). You will need:
2 bunches of beetroot leaves 1tbsp olive oil 2 garlic cloves ½ tsp red pepper flakes Black pepper powder for taste Salt for taste 2 lemons
How to make: Preparation time: 20min Servings: 4
4. Raw beet salad
Beetroot salad makes a healthy snack or starter that is also super delicious. You will need:
1lb beets (grated) 2tbsp balsamic vinegar 1tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 1tbsp fresh parsley (chopped) 1 garlic clove, minced 2tsp Dijon mustard ¼ tsp sea salt 1/8 tsp black pepper powder
How to make: Preparation time: 20min Servings: 4 [Read: Eggplant (Brinjal) During Pregnancy]
5. Beetroot tea
A unique caffeine-free tea you can make at home, beetroot tea has invigorating properties. You will need:
1-quart water 4 beets, peeled and finely shredded ½ cup honey 2 lemons, freshly squeezed for juice 4 sprigs mint
How to make: Preparation time: 20min Servings: 8
6. Beetroot halwa
The halwa is an easy and healthy Indian dessert that you can try to beat your sweet cravings with. You will need:
2 medium-sized beetroots 1tsp oil 1½ cup + ¼ cup water 2 tsp cornstarch ½ cup sugar 1/8 tsp cardamom powder Pinch of salt Nuts, chopped, for garnishing
How to make: Preparation time: 20min Servings: 4 Have more questions about eating beets while pregnant? Keep reading then. [Read: Juices To Drink During Pregnancy]
