Opium may derive from poppy seeds, but eating poppy seed dressing as a salad topping will not turn you into an opium addict or harm your fetus while you are pregnant. This salad dressing contains far too few poppy seeds to trigger fetal problems, although it is best to consult your obstetrician if you have questions. It does, however, contain a variety of nutrients that contribute to a healthy pregnancy.
Calcium
One brand of poppy seed dressing contains 2 percent of the daily recommended intake of calcium per 2-tbsp. serving, although pregnant women need 300 mg of calcium more than women who are not pregnant. Pregnant women need calcium to maintain their own bone health, and the fetus requires calcium to grow a healthy heart as well as form blood vessels and muscles. You can boost your intake of calcium by serving poppy seed dressing on a salad that contains calcium-rich cheese and sesame seeds.
Vitamin E
A different brand of poppy seed dressing contains 20 percent of the vitamin E needed each day in a 2-tbsp. serving. The vitamin E you get from this dressing helps your fetus grow red blood cells and muscles. Vitamin E also promotes good health by helping your immune system and playing a role in other metabolic processes.
Carbohydrates
A 2-tbsp. serving of poppy seed dressing contains 5 to 7 g of carbohydrates. Your body looks to carbohydrates first to provide you with energy. The March of Dimes notes that pregnant women often experience fatigue during pregnancy; while hormones and other factors influence energy levels, you can combat lethargy by including carbs in your diet. If you consume poppy seed dressing on a lettuce salad, you take in a few more carbohydrates, but you can increase carb intake more by topping your salad with croutons and sunflower seeds.
Considerations
Although poppy seed dressing will not harm you or your fetus, it may get you in legal trouble. An October 2010 report in "Time" magazine reveals that eating poppy seed foods may trigger positive drug tests. In one case, a Pennsylvania woman who had eaten poppy seeds the morning she gave birth tested positive for opiate use and temporarily lost custody of her newborn baby.
References
- PregnancyToday; Expert Q&A; K. Loebel
- Brianna's: Rich Poppy Seed Dressing
- Newman's Own: Newman's Own Poppy Seed Dressing
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Calcium; March 2009
- BabyCenter; Calcium In Your Pregnancy Diet; August 2009
- American Pregnancy Association; Essential Nutrients & Vitamins For Pregnancy; June 2011
