Is That Safe? Eating Hemp Seeds During Pregnancy: The Benefits & Risks

Welcome back to our Is That Safe series! Where we break down all of the dos and don’ts of pregnancy. So today’s topic - is it safe to eat hemp seeds during pregnancy? Let’s get into it. 

What are hemp seeds?

Hemp seeds are the seeds of the hemp plant, Cannabis sativa. That can sound a little scary if you’re trying to figure out what’s safe to eat during pregnancy – but although hemp is from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), the seeds themselves do not naturally contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis. 

Is it safe to eat hemp seeds during pregnancy? 

Yes! Hemp seeds are safe to eat during pregnancy. 

The FDA recently completed an evaluation of some hemp seed-derived food ingredients and had no objections to the use of these ingredients in foods. THC and CBD (the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis) are found mainly in hemp flowers, leaves, and stems, not in hemp seeds. Hemp seeds can pick up minuscule amounts of THC and CBD from contact with other plant parts, but these amounts are low enough to not raise concerns for any group, including pregnant or breastfeeding mothers.

Are there any benefits of eating hemp seeds during pregnancy?

There are many benefits of including hemp seeds in your diet & these benefits aren’t just limited to pregnancy! 

Hemp seeds are a great source of plant protein 

Hemp seeds are a great protein source, as more than 25% of their total calories are from high-quality protein! In fact, by weight, hemp seeds provide similar amounts of protein as beef and lamb — 30 grams of hemp seeds, or 2–3 tablespoons, provide about 11 grams of protein. Similar foods like chia seeds and flaxseeds have around 16–18% protein from their total calories. 

Hemp seeds also contain all the essential amino acids, making
them a complete protein source!

Hemp seeds are rich in fatty-acids which can ease symptoms of certain skin conditions

Hemp seeds contain over 30% fat & they are exceptionally rich in two essential fatty acids, linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3), which may actually benefit skin diseases and provide relief from eczema and its uncomfortable symptoms by improving blood levels of essential fatty acids.

Hemp seeds are high in essential nutrients

Hemp seeds are also a great source of vitamin E and minerals, such as phosphorus, potassium, sodium, magnesium, sulfur, calcium, iron, and zinc. 

A pregnancy-safe hemp-seed recipe

Looking to incorporate hemp seed into your diet but don’t know where to star? Here’s a nutritious hemp seed porridge recipe to help energize your mornings!

On the days you have time for it, take just a few extra minutes to make yourself a proper breakfast and enjoy tucking into it. That slice of quiet time that’s just for you is one of the best ways to start a busy day.

Ingredients you’ll need: 

• ½ cup canned coconut milk (full fat)

• ½ cup water

• 2 tsps monk fruit sweetener

• 2 tsps cocoa powder

• ¼ tsp vanilla extract

• 3 tbsps hemp seeds

• 1 ½ tbsp ground flax seed

• 1 tbsp chia seeds

• 1 tbsp almond butter

• 1 tsp unsweetened shredded coconut

• ¼ cup strawberries

How to make the hemp seed porridge: 

1. Heat the coconut milk and water over medium heat. Just before the milk starts to bubble, stir in monk fruit sweetener, cocoa powder, and vanilla. Stir until combined.

2. Reduce heat to low and stir in the hemp seeds, ground flax, and chia seeds.

3. Let it simmer while stirring frequently until the porridge has thickened. If it becomes too thick, add a tablespoon of water or coconut milk at a time until desired consistency is reached.

4. Transfer the porridge to a bowl and stir in the almond butter. Top with coconut and strawberries.

Have a question about hemp seeds? Want to see something specific in our next Is That Safe post? Let us know in the comments! 

---