When it comes to diet during pregnancy, many women shy away from peanuts. However, does eating this nut increase the chance of an unborn baby developing a peanut allergy? This doesn't mean that you have to give up eating peanuts for pregnant women entirely. Just keep reading for the benefits of eating them and how best to avoid an allergic reaction.
Are peanuts for pregnant women safe?
Many people are curious about the safety of eating peanuts during pregnancy. The truth is, peanuts are a safe snack for pregnant women, as long as you don’t eat large quantities.
Peanut allergies are one of the most common food allergies in children—and they can be dangerous. The fear of developing an allergy is why many women refrain from eating peanuts during pregnancy.
However, about a quarter of expectant mothers develop new food allergies while carrying their child; some have never had problems with certain foods before but find that now they're having allergic reactions when they eat them.
If a woman has no allergy to peanuts, there is little evidence that eating them during pregnancy (or any food containing them such as granola bars or cereals) could affect you in a way that causes allergies.
So, you can feel free to consume peanuts during pregnancy if you don’t have an allergy yourself.
Best peanuts for pregnant as snacks
| Product |
Category |
| Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts 978g |
Best Roasted Peanuts |
| Sugo Greaseless Salted Peanut 100g |
Best Greaseless Salted Peanuts |
| Grab Nuts Peanuts in Shell 180g |
Best Shelled Peanuts |
| Happy Peanuts Classic Adobo 100g Set of 3 |
Best Flavoured Peanuts |
| Dandy's Trail Mix - JAR 300g |
Best Combo Snack |
| Dingdong Mixed Nuts Original 100g (Set of 3) |
Best Set of Three |
[product-comparison-table title="Best Peanuts for Pregnant as Snacks"]
Best Roasted Peanuts
Get your munchies ready for the ultimate staycation! Relax, snack on your favorite crunchies—no matter how old you are or where in the world you live.
Planters will turn any moment into a good one. Planters nuts are a class above the rest, and their toasted goodness can be found in every kitchen!
Although raw nuts have fewer calories and less sodium, they are less digestible. Roasted nuts taste better—which is why we eat them—but because of their higher salt content aren't quite as good for you. Both types of nut have a high fat content.
Everyone's diets can benefit from more protein, and if you're looking to protect your heart health Planters Nuts is an excellent choice. Pick some up at S&R Membership Shopping via Shopee today!
Features we love:
Best Greaseless Salted Peanuts
Greaseless, lightly salted peanuts are packaged in this resealable bag. Perfect for throwing in your purse or backpack and eating on the go!
You can curb your peanut cravings by making this delicious, healthy snack. That way you'll avoid the high-calorie versions sold at baseball games and concerts.
And still have something to eat while bingeing on Netflix shows.
Sugo Greaseless Salted Peanuts make an excellent, healthy snack. Whether you're eating them while watching movies or snacking while you're pregnant.
Greaseless peanuts are rich in protein, and contain various healthy nutrients. Studies show that they may even be useful for weight loss—and have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease.
Features we love:
- Greaseless.
- Crunchy and tasty.
- Resealable pack.
Best Shelled Peanuts
The Oishi Grab Nuts Peanuts in Shell is a salted, roasted peanut with its shell on—so you can enjoy the best of both worlds: crunchy snacks and healthy eating.
This product is gluten-, trans-fat, and cholesterol-free.
This product is made on equipment and in facilities that also produce products containing crustacean, eggs, fish, milk, oats, soy, tree nuts, and wheat.
Features we love:
- Roasted.
- Salted.
- Peanuts in shell.
Best Flavoured Peanuts
Happy Peanuts have been a long-time fan favourite, with their “kutkutin" goodness. The brand offers other less grease versions of peanuts to complement Happy's unique blend.
They're the perfect treat for winding down—whether by yourself or enjoying family!
For over 50 years, we’ve made delightful moments possible for consumers across the generations by producing Philippines-made snacks.
From our most celebrated products to beloved classics that have been enjoyed by Filipinos for decades.
Features we love:
- Flavoured.
- Less grease.
- Snack for all generations.
Best Combo Snack
This trail mix contains raisins, chocolate chips, mini lentils, dry roasted peanuts, roasted unsalted almonds, and toasted cashew.
During pregnancy, try trail mix. The best mixes for you and your baby have low-salt nuts and sugar-free dried fruit; dark chocolate is also a healthy option—but stay away from milk chocolate because it contains too much fat.
Snacking on trail mix will help you maintain a normal weight gain during pregnancy, whereas snacking on crisps or biscuits won't.
Nuts are packed with fibre, which may help if constipation was an issue before getting pregnant (or even during early stages of pregnancy).
Dark chocolate, as opposed to milk chocolate, has less sugar and more fibre—as well as iron and other minerals.
Features we love:
- Energy-boosting.
- Muscle growth.
- Supports weight loss.
Best Set of Three
With a delightful mix of peanuts, corn bits and U.S. Grade green peas, Dingdong Mixed Nuts will surely satisfy everyone's palate with its crunchy nuts that are seasoned perfectly to appeal to every member of the barkada— from avid snacker to lovers of something sweet!
It’s the perfect accessory for those impromptu gatherings, whether you are enjoying a cold beverage or not.
Ding Dong is a fun medley of peanuts, corn bits, U.S.-grade green peas and cornick (a special variety of field pea). Original flavor has everything you want in a snack pack—and more!
With its contrasting flavors and textures that blend happily together, Ding Dong spells ultimate surprise with every bite!
Features we love:
- Delightful mix.
- Crunchy nuts.
- Seasoned perfectly.
Price Comparison Table: Peanuts For Pregnant
Instead of always eating fruits and vegetables as snacks, make healthy changes in your diet by eating nuts.
Nuts are a healthy snack. They're packed with nutrients like heart-healthy fats, fibre, protein, and vitamins that can help keep you feeling full longer.
For those days when you don’t have time for all three meals, we've rounded up the best nuts to snack on while pregnant.
| Product |
Category |
| Planters Dry Roasted Peanuts 978g |
Php 499 |
| Sugo Greaseless Salted Peanut 100g |
Php 29 |
| Grab Nuts Peanuts in Shell 180g |
Php 57 |
| Happy Peanuts Classic Adobo 100g Set of 3 |
Php 88 |
| Dandy's Trail Mix - JAR 300g |
Php 149 |
| Dingdong Mixed Nuts Original 100g (Set of 3) |
Php 65 |
Note: Each item and price is up to date as of publication, however, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Benefits of peanuts for pregnant
- Iron. Nuts, including peanuts, are good sources of iron. You can get that important mineral by eating whole nuts or peanut butter regularly.
- Monounsaturated fats. Peanuts are especially rich in oleic acid, a heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Eating just a handful of peanuts daily can help prevent heart disease.
- Phytosterols. Eat peanuts for a healthy heart—their phytosterols help to prevent cholesterol-related cancers.
- Niacin. Peanuts are rich in vitamin B3 (niacin), which boosts memory power and brain functioning. Resveratrol, a flavonoid, also makes blood flow more smoothly to the brain—another way peanuts help keep you smart!
- Calories. If you are underweight during pregnancy, peanuts can help bring your weight up to a healthy level. They contain plenty of calories that will nourish both you and your unborn child.
- Fibre. The fibre in groundnuts can help people pass stool more easily.
- Tryptophan. Peanuts contain a compound called tryptophan that the body uses to produce serotonin, one of several chemicals used by neurons to send messages from one part of the brain or nervous system to another. Serotonin helps regulate mood and is important for your sense of well-being—it also plays an important role in fighting depression.
- Protein. Foods rich in protein, such as peanuts, can help nourish a growing fetus.
- Manganese. Manganese is essential for fetal development and bone growth. It also helps prevent premature uterine contraction during pregnancy.
- Vitamin E. Nuts contain vitamin E, which helps keep blood pressure in check.
- Manage gestational diabetes. Peanut, like other nuts and legumes, is a healthy addition to a well-balanced gestational diabetes diet.
- Presumed to reduce the risk of peanut allergy. A pregnant woman who regularly eats peanuts may reduce her child's risk of developing a peanut allergy.
Recommended serving of peanuts for pregnant women
The FDA recommends that pregnant women eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables each day.
A serving is about one-half cup or the size of a tennis ball. That may sound like a lot, but it’s not hard to fit this into your diet.
For example, if you have peanut butter for breakfast on whole wheat toast, add an apple to your lunch and serve a salad with dinner, then you’ve already met your daily quota of produce.
If you want to eat peanuts during pregnancy, limit yourself to one serving a day. Peanuts are high in calories and fat, so it’s best not to overdo it.
Nutritional value of peanuts for pregnant
In 100 grams of peanuts, you get the following nutrition:
-
- Calories: 567kcal
- Water: 6.50g
- Carbohydrates: 16.13g
- Protein: 25.80g
- Fibre: 8.5g
- Fat: 49.24g
- Sugars: 3.97g
-
- Folic acid (Vitamin B9): 240mcg
- Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6): 0.348mg
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): 12.87mg
- Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 0.3mg
- Thiamin (Vitamin B1): 0.640mg
- Vitamin E: 8.33mg
-
- Potassium: 332mg
- Sodium: 1mg
-
- Calcium: 62mg
- Iron: 2.09mg
- Magnesium: 184mg
- Zinc: 3.34mg
- Phosphorus: 336mg
-
- Saturated fatty acids: 7.32g
- Monounsaturated fatty acids: 21.41g
- Polyunsaturated fatty acids: 16.5g
For more healthy snack options, check out: Munchies for Mommies: 6 Healthy Snacks for Pregnant
