Can you eat pine nuts and pistachios during pregnancy?

Nov 14, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
In general, pregnant women can eat pine nuts and pistachios, but it is not recommended to consume them in large amounts. Intake should be controlled—just a small handful per day—to avoid excessive calorie consumption. Choose plain, unsalted, additive-free nuts to reduce the burden of extra salt and additives on the body. Avoid if you have a nut allergy or gestational diabetes with poor blood sugar control.

Generally speaking, pregnant women can eat pine nuts and pistachios, but it is not recommended to consume them in large amounts. The detailed explanation is as follows:

Pine nuts and pistachios are rich in various nutrients. Pine nuts contain abundant unsaturated fatty acids, which help fetal brain and vision development. They also provide essential minerals such as calcium and iron, supplementing the nutritional needs during pregnancy and supporting fetal bone growth. Pistachios contain high-quality protein that provides energy for pregnant women. Their dietary fiber content promotes intestinal motility and helps relieve constipation, a common issue during pregnancy. Additionally, both nuts contain nutrients like vitamin E, offering beneficial nourishment during pregnancy.

It's important to control portion sizes when consuming these nuts—just a small handful per day is sufficient—to avoid excessive calorie intake. Choose plain, unsalted, additive-free nuts to minimize additional salt and artificial ingredients that may burden the body. Pregnant women who are allergic to nuts or those with gestational diabetes and poor blood sugar control should avoid consumption or follow medical advice.

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