Is Mango Safe During Pregnancy?
Moms-to-be hear all the time what they should and shouldn’t be eating. So, you might ask yourself, “Is mango safe during pregnancy?” Yes! According to the FDA, mangos and fruits are safe to eat while you’re pregnant. Of course, you should always consult your doctor around which foods you should and shouldn’t eat throughout your pregnancy.
There are plenty of foods to avoid, while you’re pregnant though. According to Foodsafety.gov, you might want to reconsider eating raw cookie dough, raw fish, and other foods that are especially susceptible to bacteria, but fruits and veggies are safe to eat throughout your pregnancy.
It’s important to ensure your kitchen tools and countertops are cleaned thoroughly to help prevent the spread of bacteria. Prior to cutting into a mango, be sure to clean it by rinsing it under water and gently rubbing the skin with your hands to remove any residue. Then, dry the mango with a clean cloth or paper towel to remove any leftover bacteria.
Not only are mangos safe to eat while you’re pregnant, but they contain a host of nutrients that are beneficial to you. One ¾ cup serving of mango is a good source of folate, which is a key pre-natal vitamin. Women who don’t get enough folate are at risk of having babies with neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Folate deficiency can also increase the likelihood of having a premature or low birth weight baby.
In addition to containing 15% of your daily folate, 3/4 cup of mango covers 50% of your daily vitamin C, 8% of your daily vitamin A, 7% of your daily fiber, 8% of your daily vitamin B6, and 15% of your daily copper. With all these vitamins and nutrients, it’s hard to say no to a mango.
Now that’s a lot of mango information to digest. If you find yourself craving a mango, the only thing you should think about is whether you’ll be topping your ice cream or salad with this super fun superfruit.
