There are many foods and herbs that are safe for you to take when you're not pregnant, but that aren't safe during pregnancy because of risk of bacterial contamination or because they contain compounds toxic to your fetus. Thankfully, ginger is not among these foods; you can safely consume it when you're pregnant.
Food Safety
Your body changes during pregnancy; one of the major changes is that your immune system becomes less active. This keeps you from attacking your developing fetus, but also makes you more susceptible to bacterial and viral infection. Because of this, you have to be especially careful about the foods you eat. Further, some foods contain molecules that can cross the placenta and harm your developing baby--alcohol and caffeine are examples. Ginger is neither toxic, however, nor does it pose a risk of bacterial infection.
Ginger
Many women want to consume ginger during pregnancy simply because they enjoy the flavor. However, it also has its medicinal uses. Ginger contains a molecule called zingerone that activates your nervous system in ways that confuse the brain--and interfere with feelings of nausea. This is particularly useful to women who suffer from morning sickness or gastrointestinal distress during pregnancy, as more than half of women do, note Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel in their book "What To Expect When You're Expecting."
Benefits of Ginger
While ginger doesn't directly benefit your unborn baby, it has indirect benefits if you suffer from morning sickness. Consuming ginger regularly helps many women reduce their nausea symptoms enough that they can eat a healthy balanced diet and stay well hydrated, both of which can be challenging if you have very severe symptoms, particularly in your first trimester. Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet is not only good for you, but also helps ensure that your fetus gets the nutrition it needs.
Using Ginger
There are many ways to use ginger during pregnancy. Cut up fresh ginger and add it to stir-fry or other main dishes. Dried, powdered ginger and crystallized or candied ginger make good additions to baked goods, and you may find you even enjoy crystallized or candied ginger on its own as a sweet treat. There are also ginger teas and ginger-flavored sucking and chewing candies available at many health food stores.
References
- "What to Expect When You're Expecting"; Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel; 2008
- "What You Didn't Think to Ask Your Obstetrician"; Raymond Poliakin, M.D.; 2007
- "You: Having A Baby"; Michael Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet Oz, M.D.; 2009
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