Can Pregnant Women Eat Mushrooms?

Mushrooms are a versatile ingredient in many dishes. Whether they’re the star of the show or a supporting role, their woody, nutty, savory flavor is hard to replicate.
So let’s tackle the big question for the mushroom lover and mama-to-be: can pregnant women eat mushrooms?

Well, mushroom aficionado, this is your lucky day!

With a few exceptions (we’ll discuss those later), it is totally fine to eat mushrooms during pregnancy. Hooray!

Here’s the lowdown on eating mushrooms when pregnant.

In this article 📝

Can you eat mushrooms while pregnant?

Can I eat mushrooms while pregnant? The answer is yes!

So what about the exceptions and rules?

Well, like most other pregnancy food safety instructions, it comes down to the preparation and cooking methods.

To safely eat mushrooms during pregnancy, they should be:

• Clearly labeled identifying the type of mushroom.
• Bought from a reputable store or source.
• Free of mold, bruising, or decay spots.
• Cleaned under running water to remove dirt and soil particles, if fresh.
• Thoroughly soaked and then cleaned in running water, if dried.
• Cooked thoroughly until piping hot.

Due to the fact that mushrooms grow in the ground, the cleaning stage of mushroom preparation is really important.

Soil particles may contain a pathogen that causes the rare, but serious, condition called Toxoplasmosis, which is very dangerous for pregnant women.

So, can pregnant women eat cooked mushrooms?

Eating raw mushrooms is never advisable — whether you’re pregnant or not — so cooking mushrooms is essential.

Raw mushrooms contain carcinogens and can also cause upset stomachs because they’re difficult to digest.

Cooking mushrooms breaks down the fibers to make them more easily digestible, destroys any bacteria or pathogens, and helps the nutrients within become available for absorption.

They contain antioxidants, a whole range of complex B vitamins, Vitamin D, fiber, and folate.

Can pregnant women eat shiitake mushrooms?

Yes! Shiitake mushrooms are on the green list, so long as they are prepared and cooked properly.

If you’re ordering any mushrooms off a menu, it’s a good idea to check with your server to see what type they are and that they’ll be fully cooked through.

Are there reasons why you should not eat mushrooms?

So is there a time when you shouldn’t eat mushrooms?

If you’re unsure of the variety of mushrooms served to you, it’s best to leave it aside.

This is also not the time to play forest forager and pick your own (unless you seriously know what you’re doing).

Many poisonous mushrooms look just like their edible counterparts.

Also, some types of edible mushrooms are best avoided during pregnancy.

These include most wild varieties, like reishi, dryad’s saddle, wood ears, field blewits, penny buns, giant puffballs, scarlet elf cups, and beefsteak-, hedgehog-, and cauliflower-fungus.

Rule of thumb? If you’re not sure what kind of mushroom it is on your plate, don’t risk it.

What vegetables should be avoided during pregnancy?

So, are there other veggies best left alone for now?

While consuming a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables is amazing while pregnant, raw sprouts, like alfalfa, mung bean sprouts, and clover sprouts, are a no-go.

What foods should pregnant women avoid?

If you’re worried you’re missing something and your pregnancy diet isn’t quite hitting the spot, check out our full guide of foods to avoid while pregnant.

It can be a minefield out there, mama-to-be, but don’t worry! You’ll be able to chow down on all your faves once your little peanut makes their arrival!

More on pregnancy foods:
Can Pregnant Women Eat Honey?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Cream Cheese?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Grapes?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Pineapple?
Can Pregnant Women Eat Popcorn?
Can You Eat Cheesecake When Pregnant?
Can You Eat Goat’s Cheese When Pregnant?
Can You Eat Mozzarella When Pregnant?
Is Oatmeal Good for Pregnancy?
Can You Eat Mayo While Pregnant?
Cinnamon During Pregnancy: Can You Eat It?
Halloumi When Pregnant: Can You Eat It?
Can You Eat Pomegranate During Pregnancy?
Can You Eat Hummus While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Spicy Food While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Cherries While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Seaweed While Pregnant?
Can You Eat Seafood While Pregnant?