Can I eat tofu during pregnancy?

When you’re pregnant, a lot of food suddenly comes off the menu! This is to ensure that nothing you eat harms yourself – as you are in a more vulnerable state – or your baby. If you’re a tofu fan, you might be wondering, ‘can I eat tofu during pregnancy?’ We’ll go into the answer in this article. 

Can I eat tofu during pregnancy?

It’s not a straight yes or no answer. Most women can eat tofu during pregnancy and not have any adverse effects. However, a few women should be cautious because phytoestrogens – which are an ingredient in tofu – can mimic estrogen. Let’s look at this a bit more.

Who should be careful with eating tofu during pregnancy?

There are a few types of women who should avoid tofu during pregnancy:

• Women who have a history of breast cancer. This is because too much soy can cause the growth of breast cancer cells.
• Women who have hypothyroidism. This is because soy can mimic estrogen, which can cause thyroid hormones to be blocked.

If you have experienced either of these health issues, we recommend speaking to your doctor or nutritionist about what to eat during pregnancy.

What type of tofu should I eat when pregnant?

There are various types of tofu. Here are the most common ones:

• Extra-firm tofu – this often comes vacuum-packed and is commonly used as a meat substitute.
• Firm tofu – you’re most likely to see this type of tofu at your local superstore. It is stored in water, and before cooking, you will need to press the water out. You can do this with paper towels and weight, or use a designated piece of equipment like a tofu press.
• Regular tofu – this is softer than firm tofu and is typically used in soups and stir-fries.
• Silken tofu – this type of tofu is soft and is usually blended into food as a dairy or egg substitute.

Provided you are not in the at-risk groups for eating tofu when pregnant, it is safe to consume any of these types of tofu.

This is excellent news because you can use tofu to replicate some other foods that you should avoid during pregnancy. For example, you might like to eat regular tofu instead of soft cheese or enjoy silken tofu in the place of runny eggs!

Could I get sick from eating tofu?

Tofu is generally a safe food – the chances of getting sick from it are very small. But when you are pregnant, you will want to do anything possible to avoid food poisoning! Therefore, remember to do the following when eating tofu:

• Put it in the refrigerator as soon as you get home from the store.
• Check the best before date and consume the tofu before that.
• Once you’ve opened the tofu, use it within three days.
• Cook it thoroughly before eating – raw tofu is not usually dangerous, but it’s better to be on the cautious side while you’re pregnant.

How much tofu should I eat when pregnant?

Tofu can be enjoyed as part of a healthy balanced diet, but it’s generally a good idea to only eat one portion of soy per day.

If you stick to one serving per day and don’t have any of the conditions discussed above. This way you should be able to avoid any adverse effects and enjoy the amazing health benefits of tofu.

Benefits of eating tofu during pregnancy

There are some fantastic benefits of eating tofu during pregnancy. These include:

• Tofu is an excellent source of protein, which is essential when you’re growing a baby!
• Tofu has lots of essential vitamins and minerals that will help give you energy, strengthen your immune system while you are pregnant, and encourage your baby’s development.
• Tofu contains calcium, which can help your baby grow strong bones.

For most women, tofu is a great pregnancy food to enjoy in moderation. It’s got some fantastic health benefits for both you and your baby, and the health risks it poses are small. If you have any doubts about eating tofu when pregnant, speak to a medical professional.