Wash your celery well to prevent food infections during pregnancy.
Reviewed by Shivani Sikri, PGDPHN
Written by Ria Saha, B.Tech
Edited by Swati Patwal, M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Fact-checked by Lorraine Teron, M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA • Jan 23, 2024
Research-backed
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Celery is a highly nutritious vegetable commonly used in salads and soups. Although the vegetable is consumed routinely, many women are apprehensive about eating celery during pregnancy.
Since celery is loaded with antioxidantsi, enzymes, and different vitamins, it is good for pregnant women. In addition, the vegetable also helps reduce inflammation and relieves symptoms of various diseases. However, you should consult a doctor before eating the vegetable because raw celery may lead to certain infections.
Read this post to learn more about the safety of consuming celery during pregnancy and the health benefits it offers.
In This Article
- What Is Celery?
- Is It Safe To Eat Celery During Pregnancy?
- 8 Health Benefits Of Eating Celery While Pregnant
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Infographic: Advantages Of Consuming Celery During Pregnancy
- Key Pointers
What Is Celery?
Celery is a vegetable plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, and native to North African and Mediterranean regions. Today you can find vegetables in all parts of the world. Usually, you can find celery in salads, soups, and certain cultural cuisines. Celery is also a common snack that many individuals enjoy eating since it contains no fats. Nutritional content in the vegetable offers you several health benefits during pregnancy. Read on to learn all about consumption of celery for pregnancy (1).
Did you know?
The stalk type of celery is said to be a better choice for raw dishes such as fresh salads, while the leaf variety infuses strong flavor into soups and stews.
Is It Safe To Eat Celery During Pregnancy?
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Yes, it is safe to eat celery while expecting. However, when it comes to food safety you need to wash the vegetable properly before you eat it. Unwashed celery may contain several harmful parasites and bacteria that can make you suffer from hazardous food-borne diseases, such as listeriosisi and toxoplasmosisi, during pregnancy. Celery usually doesn’t cause allergy but in some cases it may cause allergies and may have fatal effects. Therefore, it is better to have a word with your nutritionist or your doctor before you go for eating the vegetable while expecting.
Related: 26 Foods To Avoid During Pregnancy
8 Health Benefits Of Eating Celery While Pregnant
The high nutritional content of celery provides you several health benefits during pregnancy, therefore you can incorporate it into your healthy diet. Health benefits include:
1. Acts As A Diuretic
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Celery is packed with nutrition and is an excellent source of minerals potassium and sodium that help you have appropriate fluid balance in your body during pregnancy. The vegetable acts as a natural diuretici, and helps you lose excess of water and prevents the risk of water retention in your body while expecting.
2. Regulates Blood Pressure
Celery comprises organic chemical compounds popular as phthalidesi that help reduce stress hormones, dilate your blood vessels, improve blood circulation, and reduce blood pressure appropriately. The vegetable thus helps minimize the risk of atherosclerosisi, stroke, and heart problems.
Related: Is It Safe To Eat Raw Vegetables During Pregnancy?
3. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Phthalides present in celery triggers the secretion of bile that helps in minimizing your cholesterol levels during pregnancy. Low cholesterol levels ensure less deposition of plaque on your artery walls. So, consuming celery enhances your heart health substantially. Also, the fiber content in celery works to eliminate cholesterol in your blood, supports digestion, and smooth bowel movements.
4. Promotes Healthy Joints
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Anti-inflammatory properties of celery help in minimizing the pain and swelling around your joints during pregnancy. Celery is one of the natural remedies that act as a natural diuretic. It helps in eliminating the accumulation of uric acidi crystals around your joints and reduces discomfort and pain in your joints. High calcium content in the vegetable helps you have strong and healthy bones. Also, the vegetable enhances the regeneration of tissues in your inflamed joints.
5. Calms Nerves
High calcium content in celery helps calm your nerves during pregnancy and promotes good health of your nervous system.
6. Weight Management
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Drinking fresh celery juice before your meals can help you lose weight and maintain appropriate weight during pregnancy. The low-calorie and high-fiber content in celery prevents you from overeating and regulates weight gain effectively.
Related: Why Is Weight Gain During Your Second Pregnancy Different From The First?
7. Boosts Immunity
High vitamin C content helps in improving your immunity and minimizes the risk of catching a cold during pregnancy, making it an essential nutrient for prenatal care. Also, antioxidants in the vegetable enhance your immunity and protect you and your unborn baby from several health diseases and ailments.
8. Prevents Cancer
Celery is rich in phthalides, polyacetylenesi, and flavonoidsi that help prevent the risk of developing cancer and detoxify carcinogensi. Also, coumarinsi in the vegetable help improve the efficiency of white blood cells and wards off the risk of development of cancer while expecting. Antioxidants in celery neutralize free radicals and safeguard your cells and organs from damage effectively.
Research finds
Celery has components that may be effective in reducing blood sugar, protecting the liver, improving skin problems, and reducing vomiting. These may be useful in addressing various pregnancy complications (6).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are celery seeds safe for pregnant women to eat?
Although consuming celery in moderation is safe, experts suggest that you stay away from celery seeds when pregnant as they might put you at risk of complications such as uterine bleeding and contractions (3).
2. Is there any specific dose of celery consumption during pregnancy?
You may include a cup of fresh, thoroughly washed and chopped celery as a part of your pregnancy diet (4). You may consume it as a snack or incorporate it in recipes such as vegetable salad preparations (5).
3. Can eating celery help with managing gestational diabetes?
Celery does not pose the risk of increased blood sugar and is recommended as a part of the diet for women with gestational diabetes (7).
Celery is a fibrous vegetable rich in vital nutrients, such as vitamin C, folate, and potassium, and incorporating it into a healthy lifestyle can offer many benefits. Most healthy pregnant women can safely eat celery during pregnancy. However, you should clean and store it hygienically to avert the risk of pathogen contamination. You can use celery to prepare smoothies and juice. Alternatively, you can use it to prepare snacks, celery soup and salad that can contribute to your daily nutritional needs. Though celery is a nutritious food, keep its intake in moderation as a part of a well-balanced diet.
Infographic: Advantages Of Consuming Celery During Pregnancy
Celery has a high nutritional value and can be a part of a healthy and balanced pregnancy diet. Expectant mothers will benefit from this green veggie immensely. You can consume it as part of soups and salads to enrich your body with calories and energy. Read this infographic to discover the ways it helps you.
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Key Pointers
- Celery is safe for pregnant women to consume.
- It functions as a diuretic, regulates blood pressure, and enhances immunity.
- Properly washing celery before consumption is crucial to prevent infections.
- Consulting a doctor before modifying your pregnancy diet is recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/nVTVyLxh8OE
Celery juice has amazing health benefits, but what about pregnant, breastfeeding, or medicated individuals? Find out the unbelievable side effects of celery juice for these groups in this video!
https://www.youtube.com/embed/M2j22KaQKxQ
