Is It Safe To Eat Turnip During Pregnancy?

Turnip is rich in fiber, folate, and other nutrients and is safe to eat while pregnant.

Reviewed by Reda Elmardi, RD Reda Elmardi Reda ElmardiRD MomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: DieteticsExperience: 10 years
Written by , B.Tech Ria Saha B.Tech Follow MomJunction on LinkedinMomJunction on FacebookFollow MomJunction on Instagram Specialty: Pregnancy and Baby FoodExperience: 9 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc Lorraine Teron MSc Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 2 years
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Eat Turnip During Pregnancy

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Many pregnant women, especially first-time mothers, have several questions regarding the kind of foods they should eat and avoid to have a safe pregnancy. One such question is if it is safe to eat turnips during pregnancy. Among several other pregnancy-related pieces of advice, you may be flooded with suggestions about the nutrition and diet you should follow and foods you must avoid. In addition, the plethora of information from various offline and online sources can leave you puzzled. So, dive into this post as we bring you information regarding the safety of turnips during pregnancy.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Turnips are a safe and nutritious food option during pregnancy when consumed in moderation.
  • They are packed with vitamins that aid in healthy fetal growth, such as folate, protein, iron, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.
  • Consumption of turnips during pregnancy can offer several benefits, including improved immunity, better digestion, enhanced fertility, and reduced risk of cancer.
  • Regular consumption of turnips can also lower the chances of developing bone diseases and cognitive problems.

What Is Turnip?

Turnips are also called root vegetables or crops, but they are a part of the Cruciferous familyiA diverse vegetable family including cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and turnips, known for their low-calorie and fiber-rich nature

. They are also called “Neep” in the Northern part of Scotland and England. Turnips are a rich source of antioxidants and vitamins particularly vitamin C (1).

The vegetable has white-colored inner flesh. The outer skin color varies in color and can be purple or pink and sometimes red-colored. The skin color of its root bulb depends on the amount of sunlight it receives. It is a cone shape, but it can be a bit rotund as well. Turnips taste like mustard. Also, Turnip has a pungent taste with a tinge of bitter sweetness.

Can You Eat Turnip During Pregnancy?

Consult a doctor if you are allergic to cruciferous vegetables.

Image: Shutterstock

Yes, you can eat turnip during pregnancy and it does not cause any harmful side effects (2). However, if you are allergic to cruciferous vegetables and concerned about your prenatal health, then please consult your doctor before consuming them. Also, pregnant women should avoid eating large amounts of turnips due to their high starch content.

Health Benefits Of Eating Turnip During Pregnancy

Turnips are a storehouse of Health Benefits. Eating turnip greens during pregnancy also provides a bevy of health benefits besides promoting healthy eating habits.

1. Helps fight cancer

Cruciferous vegetables are known for their ability to lower down the

risk of cancer.

The Sulforaphane compound present in Turnips and other vegetables like Cauliflower and cabbage provides a bitter taste to these vegetables. Also, this compound gives the cancer-fighting ability to these vegetables (3).

2. Improves lung health

The vitamin C content in turnips is good for the lungs.

Image: Shutterstock

Turnips are good for the lungs. Vitamin C content present in Turnips helps to maintain deteriorating lung condition, particularly in regular smokers (4).

3. Detoxifies the body

If you suffer from an irregular bowel movement, then incorporate Turnips into your diet for healthy digestion. Turnips help alleviate constipation due to the fiber content present in them.

4. Boosts immunity

Turnips boost immunity and help fight infections.

Image: Shutterstock

If you want to increase your resistance to diseases and want a robust immune system, then start eating Turnip during pregnancy. Turnips help boost immunity and increase the body’s ability to fight infections (4).

5. Improves fertility

Turnips contain high amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc

. These vitamins and minerals help improve blood flow to the uterus and increase the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the baby. This helps to improve the fetus’s health and increases the chances of having a healthy baby.

protip_icon Did you know?
Animal studies suggest that turnip leaf extracts may have glucose lowering activity (9).

Some other health benefits of turnips

Regular consumption of turnips lowers the risk of osteoporosis.

Image: Shutterstock

  • Turnips help in fixing damages of bone joints.
  • It also improves the overall cardiovascular condition.
  • If you regularly consume turnip, then you lower the chances of osteoporosisiA condition that weakens bones, increasing the chance of sudden, unsuspected bone fractures in your body.
  • Turnip consumption also lowers the chances of Rheumatoid ArthritisiA chronic inflammatory condition characterized by swelling, stiffness, and pain in the joints .
  • The nutrients present in turnip help in the production of connective tissue inside the body.
  • Regular consumption of turnips decreases the chance of cognitive deterioration.
  • Eating turnips helps improve your hair growth, eyesight, skin, and liver.
  • Turnips also help with the proper functioning of the nervous system.
  • Turnips help to maintain blood pressure levels.
  • It also maintains fluid balance in the body.
  • Also, this root vegetable is a low-calorie food. Therefore, it is good to eat turnips to reduce weight.

protip_icon Quick fact
Turnip greens contain folateiNaturally occurring form of vitamin B9, responsible for protein metabolism and the production of red blood cells that assists cellular functions and is important for fetal development (4).

Nutrient Value Of Turnip

Turnips are highly nutritious. Some of the nutrients present in Turnip include (1):

  • Vitamins A, C, E, K
  • Folate
  • Copper
  • Fibers
  • Protein
  • RiboflaviniNatural form of vitamin B2, essential for body metabolism and beneficial for brain, eyes, and skin health
  • PyridoxineiNatural form of vitamin B6 involved in body metabolism, nervous system functioning, and red blood cell production
  • NiaciniA natural form of vitamin B3 employed in various processes such as energy metabolism, cell growth, and function
  • Potassium
  • Phosphorous
  • Sodium
  • Zinc
  • Manganese
  • Magnesium
  • Iron
  • Copper
  • Calcium
  • Omega-3-Fats
  • Pantothenic AcidiNaturally occurring form of vitamin B5, vital for the metabolism and utilization of fatty acids, carbohydrates and proteins in the body
protip_icon Did you know?
A cup of mashed turnips contains about 51kcal of energy and 76mg of calcium, which is as much calcium as half of a slice of cheddar cheese (10).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can the turnip greens help with my constipation during pregnancy?

Yes, turnips greens are rich fiber sources and may help prevent or alleviate constipation (5).

2. Are turnips good for the fetus?

Yes, turnip greens are rich in calcium which may help in the development of the bones in the fetus, aiding in the baby’s overall development (6).

3. Can I eat raw turnips in pregnancy?

Yes, you may eat raw turnips during pregnancy since dark green leafy vegetables such as turnips are best to be taken raw in pregnancy to reap their benefits (7) (8). Including a variety of raw vegetables during pregnancy is a great way to boost your intake of essential nutrients. However, wash them thoroughly before cooking or consuming them to ensure food safety.

4. How can I prepare turnips to maximize their health benefits?

To prepare turnips and maximize their health benefits, try steaming them to retain the nutrients. You may also roast them for that caramelized flavor, thinly slice them raw for salads, or boil and mash them for a creamy side dish.

Infographic: Advantages Of Eating Turnips During Pregnancy

Turnip greens are cruciferous vegetables that are high in nutrients and low in calories. The vegetable is thus great for health during pregnancy. Scroll through the infographic below to discover the advantages of having this veggie during pregnancy. You may share it with other moms-to-be too!

benefits of turnips for expectant moms (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: Is It Safe To Eat Turnip During Pregnancy?

Eat Turnip During Pregnancy_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Turnips, raw FDC ID: 170465
    https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/170465/nutrients
  2. Nutrition Before Pregnancy
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=nutrition-before-pregnancy-90-P02479
  3. Qian Wu et al.; (2013); Jin-Gyeong Cho et al; A new phenanthrene derivative and two diarylheptanoids from the roots of Brassica rapa ssp. campestris inhibit the growth of cancer cell lines and LDL-oxidation.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23435947/
  4. Eat What You Grow – Beets and Turnips.
    https://capemay.njaes.rutgers.edu/2020/10/15/eat-what-you-grow-beets-and-turnips/
  5. 13 Super Foods for Expectant Mothers.
    https://chasebrexton.org/whatseasonaugustturnips
  6. Nutrition During Pregnancy.
    https://wa.kaiserpermanente.org/kbase/topic.jhtml?docId=hw194870
  7. Nutrition during pregnancy: A gift for your baby.
    http://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/publications/p1784.pdf
  8. Amy V. Haas; Nutrition During Pregnancy.
    https://www.academia.edu/9864962/Nutrition_during_pregnancy
  9. Mohammad Hassanpour Fard et al.; (2015); Effects of aqueous extract of turnip leaf (Brassica rapa) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Hassanpour%20Fard%20M%5BAuthor%5D
  10. The pros and cons of root vegetables.
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-pros-and-cons-of-root-vegetables

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Reda Elmardi
Reda ElmardiRD
Reda Elmardi is a registered dietician, certified nutritionist, and certified strength and conditioning specialist trainer. The 32-year-old is a certified nutritionist from the UNC's Online MPH with Nutrition concentration, and has around ten years of experience.

Read full bio of Reda Elmardi
Ria Saha
Ria SahaB.Tech
Ria is a techie-turned-writer and writes articles on health, with special emphasis on nutrition. She did her B.Tech from West Bengal University of Technology and was previously associated with IBM as SAP ABAP technical consultant.

Read full bio of Ria Saha
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Lorraine Teron
Lorraine TeronMSc
Lorraine is a postgraduate in Life Science from Mount Carmel College and previously worked as a freelance scientific illustrator. As a project associate and lab technician at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Lorraine received valuable insights into Covid-19, transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, and neuro-degenerative diseases.

Read full bio of Lorraine Teron
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