You may find dietary restrictions mostly to pregnant mothers for specific reasons. Hence, mothers tend to shy away from eating particular food because of the memes about different food types. The myths make them ask themselves questions such as; how to make hummus? Can I eat tahini while pregnant? Can I eat hummus while pregnant? You will find hummus in the list of food not to consume when pregnant; this is because it contains tahini, which may cause food poison; though it is more nutritious, expectant mothers were advised not to eat during ancient times.
Some hummus memes say, “I ate hummus while pregnant initially, and everything was well hence I believed eating hummus is right for me and my baby.” It tastes sweet and snacky when you add it to carrot sticks or crackers. It is also easy and straightforward to make your hummus at home; that is, if you happen to have time and motivation.
If you were a fan of hummus before getting pregnant and still craving to eat, don’t worry, you can enjoy a bite. If you ensure your hummus are well packed and stored, they will remain safe for pregnant mothers. Hummus is tasty and high in protein, plus other essential nutrients needed during pregnancy by both of you. You can increase the flavor by diving into carrot sticks.
You can use tahini and chickpeas to make hummus paste from sesame seeds. Also, you may add seasonings like lemon, which was common traditionally. It has no risk to a pregnant mother and her fetus because hummus contains nutrients such as proteins, calcium, iron, fiber, folate, and vitamins with health benefits.
So, can I eat hummus while pregnant?
Some mothers may scare away because of the bacteria present in the hummus called listeria; eating contaminated food caused by listeria may cause death to the fetus. You will find listeria in deli cases and salad bars, so you must avoid them. Shop hummus during your pregnancy in those places you know they make the best. I advise that you make your own at home or ensure you eat repackaged options to be safe.
The hummus we know was famous in the Middle East for many years, but nowadays, it has spread worldwide as shop-bought hummus are readily available for you to eat while pregnant. Hummus is mostly tahini, which is a sesame paste. Some pregnant women are confused and keep asking, can I eat hummus while pregnant or tahini? Hummus has high water and low acidity making it easy to get contaminated with salmonella or listeria bacteria.
Tahini is not pasteurized, but seed butter can allow bacteria to thrive. When you roast sesame seeds before grinding, you will reduce the risk of salmonella. However, it is not easy to tell apart the roasted seed and the ones that are not.
To eat hummus, you must control the type of ingredients to add and how you store to reduce contamination chances to be safe for you to eat when pregnant.
Here are tips on how you safely store your homemade hummus
After making your homemade hummus, follow the following tips:
- Store your hummus in a fridge keep them cool all through.
- You eat hummus only within two days after making it.
- You must avoid leaving your hummus for a long time at room temperature because bacteria multiply faster.
- Ensure you wrap your hummus thoroughly in an airtight container.
- Ensure you serve hummus when warm and hot.
When you use hummus as a dip, you must follow the following guidelines;
- Serve at the salad bar or buffet or in an open place.
- At ceremonial events, dip the hummus.
- Use clean items when scooping your hummus to avoid contaminations.
Pregnant mothers can purchase hummus at the nearest store or shop.
How safe is it to eat tahini when pregnant?
Tahini is a separate ingredient; it is found in hummus, though you can take tahini as a sauce. If you want to eat tahini, follow similar guidelines mentioned earlier for hummus.
Tahini is made from sesame seeds, salt, & oil, and it is more expensive; hence some people think it is hard to make at home. It is almost similar to butternut.
Hummus is a paste or a spread prepared from mashed chickpeas, tahini, salt, garlic, olive oil, and lemon used for flavors. If you prepare fresh, pack, and store appropriately, you can consume them when pregnant if you do not have allergy reactions.
Benefits of eating hummus during pregnancy
- Eating hummus helps develop the fetus because it contains proteins that are building blocks of body cells.
- Eating hummus helps improve digestion processes because it contains fiber.
- If you eat hummus when pregnant, it helps your fetus’s bone growth development, calcium in hummus aids in bone strengthening.
- Consuming hummus helps the brain and the nervous system work correctly because of choline nutrients; it also controls muscle, mood, and memory.
Here are some side effects of eating hummus when pregnant
- Recklessly packaged hummus may lead to contamination. Listeria bacteria affects the immune system leading to listeriosis
- If you eat hummus while pregnant, it may lead to allergic reactions accompanied by symptoms such as coughing, skin rashes, and sneezing.
Takeaway
During pregnancy, women ought to eat specific foods as outlined by a gynecologist. Anything off the list is risky. Can I eat hummus while pregnant? Can I eat tahini while pregnant? The two food are intertwined, and it might be confusing. But to answer your question, yes, hummus is safe to eat while pregnant. Contamination makes hummus a health hazard, so we advocate for safe packaging. But you can eat hummus; it does not cause any harm. Only follow the guidelines on how to make and store to be free from any contamination. Finally, you can make your hummus at home; this allows you to add ingredients of your choice. Feel free to purchase some at the store or supermarkets near you, but make sure they are free from contamination.
