Green beans during pregnancy

Health Benefits, Nutrients, How to Prepare Them, and More.

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributors

Nutritional Info

from the WebMD Ingredients Guide

Serving Size 0.5 Cup

Calories 16

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 0 g

Saturated Fat 0 g

Trans Fat 0 g

Cholesterol 0 mg

Sodium 3 mg

Potassium 0 mg

Total Carbohydrate 3 g

Dietary Fiber 1 g

Sugar 2 g

Protein 1 g

*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Vitamin C 10%
Iron 6%
Vitamin B6 0%
Magnesium 0%
Calcium 2%
Vitamin D 0%
Cobalamin 0%
Vitamin A 7%

Green beans are a common staple in households across the country. They go by several names, some of the most popular ones being snap beans and string beans. Despite their name, however, they’re not always green. The green bean is a type of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), and it can be yellow or purple, too.

Green beans are native to North, South, and Central America. Today, however, they grow all over the world. They grow year-round, meaning you’ll find them in grocery stores no matter what season it is. Their peak season is between May and October, though, which is when you’ll often find them at local farmer’s markets.

Health Benefits

While they may be low in calories, green beans contain many important nutrients that provide several health benefits. The legumes are full of antioxidants, including vitamin C, flavonols, quercetin, and kaemferol. These antioxidants fight free radicals in the body, which helps to reduce cell damage and may help to lower your risk of certain health conditions.

Other health benefits of green beans include:

Improve Heart Health

Green beans are full of fiber, which is an important nutrient for many reasons. Soluble fiber, in particular, may help to improve the health of your heart by lowering your LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels.

Protect Gut Health

The fiber in green beans helps to keep your digestive system healthy and running smoothly. If you have a digestive disorder like irritable bowel syndrome, however, certain types of fiber can do more harm than good, leaving you with gas, bloating, and intestinal discomfort.

Those with irritable bowel syndrome (and other intestinal issues) often do better by avoiding high FODMAP foods. FODMAPs are carbohydrates that may not be digested or absorbed well. Green beans are a low FODMAP food, which can help to improve symptoms of digestive disorders.

Aid in a Healthy Pregnancy

A single cup of green beans has approximately one-third of your daily recommended intake of folate, a B vitamin that’s necessary for the growth and development of unborn babies. The vitamin helps to reduce the risk of certain birth defects. Women who are pregnant need to take in more folate than those who aren’t. Where most adults need 400mcg daily, women who are pregnant need 600mcg, and those who are nursing need 500mcg.

Protect Bone Health

Green beans are high in vitamin K, and they also contain a decent amount of calcium. These nutrients are important for maintaining strong, healthy bones and reducing your risk of fractures.

Reduce Depression Symptoms

Getting enough folate isn’t just important during pregnancy. The B vitamin is also important for reducing depression. Getting enough folate helps to reduce the amount of homocysteine in your body. Too much homocysteine can interfere with your natural production of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, hormones that regulate your mood as well as your sleep and appetite.

May Help with Anemia

Iron is an essential part of the red blood cells that transports oxygen from the lungs to all of the other cells throughout your body. Insufficient iron intake can lead to anemia, which is characterized by fatigue, weakness, and lightheadedness. Green beans provide a decent source of plant-based iron that can help to ensure that you get the amount you need to avoid anemia.

May Help Prevent Cancer

Green beans contain chlorophyll, which may help to slow the growth of cancer tumors and reduce the risk of cancer. Many of the current studies, however, use animals. More research is needed to confirm the anti-cancer benefits of chlorophyll.

Nutrients

Green beans contain many essential vitamins and minerals, including:

Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin K
Folate
Thiamine
Niacin
Calcium
Iron
Magnesium
Phosphorous
Potassium
Zinc

A single cup of fresh green beans contains approximately 25% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin C. It also has around 15% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin A, a vitamin necessary for eye health, as well as 33% of your recommended daily intake of folate, which is vital for preventing neural tube defects.

Nutrients Per Serving

A half-cup serving of fresh green beans has:

Calories: 16
Protein: 1 gram
Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Sugar: 2 grams

Things to Watch Out For

Although green beans are a nutritious food, there are a few things to be aware of if you want to add them to your diet:

Vitamin K May Interfere with Blood Thinners

If you take blood thinners such as warfarin, you should speak with your doctor before adding green beans to your diet. The vitamin K content of the legumes may interfere with your medication, affecting how your blood clots.

They Contain Lectins

Lectins are a type of protein present in various types of beans, including green beans. While they do have some benefits, they can also cause digestive discomfort. To deactivate lectins, you need to cook green beans thoroughly.

They Contain Phytic Acid

Phytic acid can bind with certain minerals, preventing your body from absorbing them. If you have a mineral deficiency, you should speak with your doctor before adding green beans to your menu.

Canned Green Beans May Contain Added Salt

While green beans are a naturally low-sodium food, certain canned varieties have added salt. Too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure and heart-related problems. If you do purchase canned beans, be sure to rinse them thoroughly to remove excess salt.

How to Prepare Green Beans

Green beans are a very versatile legume. You can find them fresh in the produce aisle, in the freezer section, or even in cans. Here are some popular ways to prepare them:

Sauteed with garlic and olive oil or butter
Oven-roasted
Cooking them into a green bean casserole
Stir-fried with other vegetables

Green Beans During Pregnancy: Safety, Benefits and More

Last Updated on September 24, 2022

Crispy, delicious, and easy to prepare, green beans are a healthy and tasty addition to any diet. But are they safe during pregnancy?

Green beans are safe for pregnant women if they are washed thoroughly under running water. Frozen green beans must be stored according to package instructions. For canned beans, be cautious about home-canned varieties and choose commercial cans that aren’t damaged.

How can washing make these beans safe and home-canning make them unsafe? Read on to find out the answers to these questions and learn what nutrients you can gain from these beans!

Covered in this Article:

Are Green Beans Good for Pregnant Women? The Benefits

Green beans, also called French beans or “haricots verts” are excellent for a dinner side dish. Some people even eat them as snacks!

This is because they aren’t only delicious and easy to prepare, but they also have impressive nutritional qualities.

A 100-gram serving of these beans provides considerable amounts of potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and fiber.

During pregnancy, it’s a good idea to keep your eye on your sodium intake and increase your potassium intake. Green beans have considerable potassium content while being low in sodium, making them a good choice.

Here are some of the other variety of nutrients they contain and how they benefit you during pregnancy:

Potassium helps regulate blood pressure and counter the effects of sodium on blood pressure (source: NIH).

Vitamin A is necessary during healthy pregnancy because it helps support your developing baby and your metabolism (source: NIH).

Vitamin K is also important to prevent severe bleeding and good bone health (source: MedlinePlus).

Fiber can be a friend during pregnancy. It helps good digestion and could help prevent constipation, gestational weight gain, and glucose intolerance (source: NIH).

On top of these, these beans also contain chlorophyll and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in the body (source: ScienceDirect).

Are Green Beans Safe During Pregnancy?

Green beans are safe to eat during pregnancy if they’re washed first.

While vegetables are excellent sources of nutrients, they can be just as great a source for germs, specifically Salmonella and Listeria (source: NIH).

According to CDC, cooked produce is the safest to consume. The second safest is produce that has been thoroughly washed.

For fresh green beans, you can minimize the risk of getting food-borne illnesses by washing the vegetables under running water. Their skin or peel might have pathogens that can penetrate when you cut them, so be sure to wash well. (source: CDC).

Rub them thoroughly under running water with your hands. This also helps eliminate pests, dirt, or pesticides that could be present (source: CSU Extension). For more on this, see our guide to washing veg.

We recommend removing the stem and string only when you are about to use them. Dry them well afterward with a clean towel.

Frozen green beans are either cut or whole. According to USDA, these are the different types of packed frozen beans:

Regular process — processed in a way that does not affect brightness
Extended blanch process — this process affects the brightness of the beans
Special pack —contains two or more different types of green beans

(Source: USDA).

Most frozen beans you’ll see in the supermarket do not contain these labels. Nonetheless, these beans are safe when stored according to package instructions and thawed only when you’re about to cook them.

There are three safe ways the USDA recommends to thaw food: in cold water, in the refrigerator, or in the microwave (source: USDA).

Make sure you buy canned green beans from manufacturers that abide by safe handling, preparation, and canning practices.

You should avoid canning them at home unless you have all the equipment and skills needed to prepare them safely. Home-canned green beans have been under scrutiny after a couple in Germany contracted botulism from canned green beans.

Botulism is caused by a harmful bacteria named Clostridium botulinum, which produces toxins. The toxin identified in this case was botulinum neurotoxin type A (source: Journal of Medical Case Reports). This toxin can occur in incorrectly canned foods like beans.

Therefore, if you’re going to eat home canned during pregnancy, it’s best to exercise caution, especially if you’re not sure about the processes and sterilization used.

Is it Safe to Eat Raw Green Beans During Pregnancy?

Green beans can be eaten raw during pregnancy provided that they are thoroughly washed. The same is true for most raw or fresh fruits and vegetables.

I’m Craving Green Beans When Pregnant: Is This Normal?

Cravings are normal during pregnancy. You might find yourself craving sweets, something salty, or even a non-food item such as ice.

If you’re craving green beans, you can safely indulge your craving if they’re prepared and washed thoroughly, or are cooked.

Green beans are a great way to get healthy during your pregnancy, and they are safe when washed and prepared the right way. We hope this article helped answer your queries about these beans.

This article has been reviewed and approved for publication in line with our editorial policy.

green beans during pregnancy - 25 recommendations on Babyblog.ru

On December 29, 2015, our long-awaited son was born. Joy knew no bounds. But it didn't last long...

Despite the fact that there are no allergies in my family, during pregnancy I actively studied what a nursing mother should eat so that the baby would not have allergies. On December 24, I stopped eating milk and all dairy products, sugar and all white flour products. There was no talk at all about such products as honey, nuts, oranges, etc. nine0003

Everything was great for two months. The baby had clear skin, he ate well, put on weight. Then a small rash on the cheeks began ... For about 1.5 months, the rash continued to be small, but occupied an increasing surface of the skin of the face. At night, the son shook his head violently in different directions. Then I did not understand that it was an itch.

It got worse and worse. The first doctor on our way was a dermatologist who prescribed ultrasound of the pancreas, Claritin for 5 days and Advantan. He also advised me to consult a gastroenterologist. The ultrasound findings were normal. The gastroenterologist prescribed feces for dysbacteriosis and carbohydrates. These tests were also normal. Lymph began to flow from the rash, the child did not sleep, cried constantly, tore his head and cheeks to the blood ... Each new doctor prescribed advantan and an antihistamine as standard. They tested for cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr syndrome, herpes virus. Everything is negative. You can talk about the horrors of that time endlessly...

A surgeon friend advised the allergist Shmakov P.Yu. Ran to his appointment. Those recommendations that he wrote to me then seemed incredible. But when the AD took over the whole head, there was "meat" on the cheeks, this became my last hope. Looking ahead, I’ll say right away: “If you have the same situation as mine, at least try it! It’s incredibly difficult, but it helped my child.” This is a diet for a nursing mother for two to three weeks. You can eat:

buckwheat, rice (all on water with a pinch of salt) 9Water

Three weeks later, without any pills or ointments, my son's rash was gone. Then I began to introduce one product at a time into my diet and look at the reaction. Now I can eat apples, bananas, pears, potatoes and even dairy products, drink green and black tea and even coffee.

My son is now 10 months old. In the mornings and evenings, he eats one of the three Heinz cereals without milk, sugar and salt: corn, buckwheat, rice.

Lunch vegetable puree: cauliflower, zucchini, potatoes, turkey meatball.

Cottage cheese Classic theme, apples, bananas, pears.

Zdorovei dietary crispbread made from corn, buckwheat and rice flour.

Sometimes there are exacerbations due to SARS or teething. These days I give Finestil 7 drops 3 times a day and Elidel cream (non-hormonal, anti-inflammatory). Very good French brand A-Derma, they have a lotion for the "current" rash and moisturizing lotions. I still keep the GV, I keep my diet, in the days of exacerbations I return to the hard version of the diet. nine0003

Beans during pregnancy: red, white and green beans

Beans, this wonderful member of the legume family, has long been a place of honor in the diet of many peoples of the world. Without it, it is difficult to imagine Latin American, Asian, Caucasian cuisine, and our closest neighbors - Ukrainians, Moldovans and Bulgarians - use it in their dishes.

Photo: Depositphotos. com Author: Odelinde

In our country, beans are also becoming increasingly popular due to their taste and dietary properties. You should not give up this valuable product during pregnancy, because if you follow simple precautions and cooking technology, beans can be of great benefit to the expectant mother. nine0003

Content

1 Content of beneficial substances
2 Benefits during pregnancy
3 Possible harm
4 Contraindications
5 How to use
6 Powder Physics

Content for useful substances

Consider which nutrients, minerals, minerals, minerals and vitamins determine the value of beans as a food product.

Beans are a source of complete vegetable protein and in many ways are almost as good as meat. nine0050
High fiber content allows you to effectively cleanse the intestines of toxins and gently regulate its work.
Beans are one of the champions in the content of B vitamins (folic acid, thiamine, pyridoxine, nicotinic acid), which are extremely beneficial for the health of a pregnant woman and child.
Folic acid is necessary for the formation of new cells, hematopoiesis processes and the proper development of the embryo.
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) is responsible for the harmonious functioning of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems. nine0050
B6 (pyridoxine) is involved in the production of hemoglobin.
Nicotinic acid lowers blood cholesterol.
Iron and copper, which are present in significant amounts in beans, along with B vitamins, contribute to blood formation and the production of hemoglobin.
Sulfur is necessary for the body to synthesize proteins, which, among other things, provide elasticity to the skin, healthy hair and joint mobility.

Pregnancy benefits

Based on the properties discussed above, we can conclude what practical benefits the expectant mother will derive if she regularly eats bean dishes.

Morning sickness and other manifestations of toxicosis will be less disturbing, because due to fiber the body will be better cleansed of toxins.
The intestines will improve their work, and such a nuisance as constipation during pregnancy will bypass you.
Beans will allow your body to replenish iron stores and keep hemoglobin at a fairly high level. nine0050
Vitamins of group B will support the nervous system and help the expectant mother get rid of unnecessary stress, and also alleviate the manifestations of seizures in the third trimester of pregnancy.
The product is of particular value for pregnant women who practice vegetarianism, because the high content of high-quality vegetable protein can largely compensate for the rejection of meat.
Beans have a mild diuretic effect and stimulate the kidneys, therefore, help get rid of edema in late pregnancy. nine0050

Possible harm

Despite all the benefits of beans, the use of an improperly prepared product can cause serious digestive disorders and even lead to poisoning.

The fact is that the raw beans of this plant contain the toxic substance phasin, as well as a large amount of oligosaccharides - carbohydrates that are not absorbed in the human intestine and cause flatulence.

Therefore, beans require mandatory long-term heat treatment, and before cooking, it is advisable to soak them for several hours in cold water to dissolve the oligosaccharides that cause gas formation. nine0003

Pregnant women should be especially careful to follow these simple rules for cooking beans so as not to provoke intestinal upset and not harm their health and the health of the baby.

Contraindications

There are no special contraindications for the use of beans by pregnant women, but women with gastrointestinal diseases such as gastritis, cholecystitis, colitis and so on will have to give up this product. Accordingly, expectant mothers with such diagnoses should also refrain from this product, despite all its useful qualities. nine0003

How to use

A wide variety of dishes can be prepared from beans:

liquid soups;
pureed soups;
salads;
stew;
lobio;
can be used as a filling for pies.

The main rule, as we have already said, is that beans must be well thermally processed. Otherwise, there are no restrictions, and you can focus on your own imagination and on the whole variety of national recipes. nine0003

A small wish for pregnant women: be careful with spices. And also, given that it is better for expectant mothers not to overload their digestive system once again, they should cook lighter meals and combine beans not with meat or mushrooms, but with vegetables and herbs.

String beans

Photo: Depositphotos.com Author: HeikeRau

Talking about the dietary properties of beans, we should separately mention the green and yellow string beans, which, unlike red or white, have their own characteristics. nine0003