Can pregnant women eat more seaweed?
Jul 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yu Yongchao
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, pregnant women should not eat too much seaweed, so as not to affect digestion. When consuming seaweed, pregnant women should limit intake to 1–2 sheets per serving, and no more than 3 times per week. Choose natural seaweed without added salt or additives, and check the ingredient list before consumption. If symptoms such as increased thirst or worsening body swelling occur after consumption, reduce or stop eating seaweed, and consult a doctor if necessary.
Generally speaking, pregnant women should not eat too much seaweed, as it may affect digestion. The specific analysis is as follows:
To enhance taste, most seaweed products contain added salt. Excessive consumption can lead to excessive salt intake for pregnant women, aggravating bodily edema and potentially increasing the metabolic burden on the kidneys. Seaweed itself is high in iodine; excessive iodine intake by pregnant women may affect thyroid function, which could negatively impact the thyroid development of the fetus. Additionally, some seaweed products may contain additives such as preservatives and flavor enhancers, and excessive consumption may lead to accumulation of these substances in the body, which is detrimental to the health of both the mother and the fetus. Although seaweed is low in calories, eating too much can occupy stomach space, affecting the intake of other more nutritionally rich foods and leading to an unbalanced diet.
Pregnant women should limit seaweed consumption to 1–2 sheets at a time, no more than three times per week. Choose natural seaweed without added salt or additives, and check the ingredient list before consumption. If symptoms such as increased thirst or worsening edema occur after eating seaweed, consumption should be reduced or stopped altogether, and medical advice should be sought if necessary.
