Researchers wanted to understand what pregnant people think about eating seaweed and whether they actually eat it. They surveyed 120 pregnant women about their health habits, environmental concerns, and seaweed consumption. The good news: most pregnant participants were interested in eating healthy foods, and about 7 out of 10 had already tried seaweed during pregnancy. About 6 out of 10 felt positive about seaweed as a food choice. The study suggests seaweed could be a nutritious addition to pregnancy diets, but doctors say we need more research to make sure it’s completely safe for pregnant people and their babies.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether pregnant people eat seaweed, what they think about it, and what influences their decision to eat it or avoid it
- Who participated: 120 pregnant women at different stages of pregnancy (first, second, and third trimesters) who completed an online survey
- Key finding: About 71% of pregnant participants had eaten seaweed at least once during their pregnancy, and 60% had positive feelings about it as a food choice
- What it means for you: If you’re pregnant and curious about seaweed, many pregnant people are already eating it. However, talk with your doctor first, as we still need more research to fully understand how much seaweed is safe during pregnancy
The Research Details
Researchers created an online survey and asked 120 pregnant women to answer questions about their health habits, environmental concerns, and seaweed eating. The survey included questions from a well-known health consciousness scale (a tool that measures how much people care about their health) plus custom questions about seaweed specifically. Participants were at different stages of pregnancy, so the researchers could see if pregnancy stage affected seaweed consumption. The researchers then analyzed the survey responses by counting how many people gave similar answers and looking for patterns in what people said.
This type of study helps researchers understand what real people think and do in everyday life. By asking pregnant women directly about their seaweed consumption, the researchers got honest information about current eating habits rather than guessing. This information is important because it shows there’s real interest in seaweed during pregnancy, which means doctors and nutritionists need to study it more carefully.
This study is a good starting point for understanding seaweed and pregnancy, but it has some limitations. It’s based on what people remember and report about their eating habits, which isn’t always perfectly accurate. The study doesn’t prove that seaweed is safe or unsafe during pregnancy—it just shows what people are already doing. The researchers were honest about needing more rigorous safety testing before making strong recommendations.
What the Results Show
The survey revealed that most pregnant participants (about 92%) said they actively pay attention to their health. About 82% agreed that how healthy a food is really matters when deciding what to eat. When asked specifically about seaweed, about 71% of pregnant women said they had eaten it at least once during their pregnancy. This was surprising to researchers because seaweed isn’t a common food in many Western diets. About 60% of the pregnant participants expressed positive feelings about seaweed as a food choice. This suggests that pregnant people are open to trying new, nutritious foods if they believe those foods are good for them and their babies.
The study found that pregnant women who were more health-conscious were more likely to have positive attitudes toward seaweed. This makes sense because seaweed is very nutrient-dense, meaning it packs a lot of vitamins, minerals, and other healthy compounds into a small amount of food. The researchers also noted that environmental concerns influenced some people’s food choices, suggesting that the sustainability of seaweed (it’s grown without pesticides or fertilizers) appeals to environmentally-minded pregnant people.
Very little previous research has looked at seaweed consumption during pregnancy, which is why this study is important. Most nutrition research during pregnancy focuses on foods like vegetables, fruits, dairy, and proteins. Seaweed is gaining popularity in Western countries, but doctors haven’t yet established clear guidelines about how much is safe during pregnancy. This study shows that pregnant people are already eating seaweed, so the medical community needs to catch up with research to provide evidence-based guidance.
This study only surveyed people who responded to an online survey, which might mean it missed pregnant people without internet access or those less interested in health topics. The study didn’t measure how much seaweed people actually ate—just whether they ate it. The researchers didn’t test seaweed for contaminants like heavy metals, which is important because some seaweed can absorb these from ocean water. The study also didn’t follow pregnant women over time to see if seaweed consumption affected pregnancy outcomes. These are all reasons why more research is needed before doctors can make strong recommendations.
The Bottom Line
Based on this study alone, we cannot recommend a specific amount of seaweed for pregnant people. However, the study suggests that seaweed could potentially be part of a healthy pregnancy diet because it’s nutrient-dense and sustainable. If you’re pregnant and interested in eating seaweed, talk with your doctor or a pregnancy nutritionist first. They can help you decide if it’s appropriate for your specific situation and how much might be safe. Confidence level: Low to Moderate (we need more safety research)
Pregnant women and people planning to become pregnant should know about this research. Healthcare providers caring for pregnant patients should be aware that many pregnant people are already consuming seaweed and may want to discuss it. People interested in sustainable, nutrient-dense foods will find this relevant. This research is less relevant for people who aren’t pregnant or planning pregnancy.
This study doesn’t tell us how quickly you’d see benefits from eating seaweed during pregnancy. Any nutritional benefits would likely develop gradually over weeks and months of regular consumption, similar to other foods. However, we don’t yet have research showing what specific benefits seaweed provides during pregnancy or how long it takes to see them.
Want to Apply This Research?
- If your doctor approves seaweed consumption, track the type of seaweed eaten (nori, kelp, wakame, etc.), portion size, and frequency (e.g., ‘small handful of nori in sushi roll, 2 times per week’). Note any digestive changes or concerns to discuss with your healthcare provider.
- Start by trying one small seaweed-containing meal per week (like sushi with nori or seaweed salad) after getting doctor approval. Use the app to log the experience and how you felt. Gradually increase frequency only if your doctor confirms it’s safe and you experience no digestive issues.
- Create a weekly log tracking seaweed consumption type and amount. Set reminders to note any digestive symptoms, cravings, or energy changes. Share this log with your healthcare provider at prenatal appointments to ensure seaweed consumption aligns with your pregnancy health plan.
This research describes what pregnant people currently eat and think about seaweed—it does not prove seaweed is safe or unsafe during pregnancy. Before adding seaweed to your pregnancy diet, consult with your obstetrician, midwife, or a registered dietitian who specializes in prenatal nutrition. Seaweed can contain high levels of iodine and potentially harmful substances like heavy metals, which may affect pregnancy. Individual pregnancy circumstances vary, and personalized medical advice is essential. This article is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical guidance.