Hemp Hearts and Pregnancy: Beneficial and Safe Superfood!

Finding healthy food you enjoy during pregnancy is difficult for more reasons than one. The benefits of hemp hearts during pregnancy can help provide a nutritious snack that you’ll actually enjoy. The superfood has a yummy nutty flavor that will satisfy your hunger, and provide beneficial nutrients for you and your new baby. 

Is Hemp Protein Safe During Pregnancy?

Hemp protein is safe to consume during pregnancy. Hemp protein, in particular, is a complete protein that contains the nine essential amino acids for your body. 

The protein found in hemp is close to the same type of protein that is already found in our bodies. This means you don’t waste any energy breaking it down. 

The main concern about using hemp seeds is the fear that it contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol). 

THC is a compound found in cannabis that causes the “high” you get from marijuana. The compounds THC and CBD (cannabidiol) are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

Hemp hearts, which are the inner part of hemp seed, are found in a different part of the Cannabis Sativa plant than THC.

The FDA states that because most THC and CBD is found in the flowers, stems, and leaves of the plant that the amounts in seeds are low. It’s so low that it doesn’t raise any concerns for anyone who eats hemp products, including pregnant women.

This statement came in 2018 after an evaluation of foods containing hemp seed as the main ingredient. They looked at different kinds of products including nutrition bars and protein drinks and declared them all safe. 

 

Do Hemp Hearts Contain CBD?

As you can see from the evaluation done by the FDA Hemp seeds don’t contain CBD. 

It’s possible hemp seeds could pick up CBD from other parts of the plant during manufacturing. But following guidelines makes the already small chance even smaller.

If any CBD makes it to the hemp seed the amount is so low that it’s safe for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

You won’t get the effects of CBD or THC when eating hemp hearts, what you will get is a nutritious snack. 

What is the Difference Between Hemp and Marijuana?

The main difference between hemp and marijuana is chemical composition. Marijuana has properties that make you feel intoxicated. Hemp has no psychedelic properties and it won’t give you the feeling of being “high”. 

To be classified as hemp a the Cannabis Sativa or Cannabis Indica plant has to have THC levels that are 0.3 percent or less. 

Anything more than 0.3 percent is considered marijuana even if it can’t intoxicate you. The difference in the amount of THC is also a big reason why hemp is legal and marijuana is not. THC is what pregnant and nursing women should avoid, not hemp.

 

 

 

There is a big debate in the scientific community about hemp and marijuana. Botanists go back and forth on classifying it as a different plant entirely.

In studies, hemp has been linked to Cannabis Indica and marijuana to Cannabis Sativa. Genetically, both plants have similar properties and are considered the same. However, scientists found when they classified a plant as hemp it was almost always from cannabis Indica. 

Learning these differences led to the legal hemp products we consume today. The study also allows us to learn all the benefits of a superfood like hemp hearts. 

Why Hemp Seeds are Good for Pregnancy

Hemp seeds are good for pregnancy because they are loaded with nutrients and minerals that pregnant women need. Eating one serving is like taking a tasty multivitamin. 

Here are some of the nutrients you can find inside:

• Fiber
• Calcium
• Magnesium
• Protein
• Omega fatty acids
• Zinc
• Amino acids
• Iron

Keep in mind these are only some of the essential nutrients and minerals found in hemp hearts, the list goes on.

To keep your body strong during pregnancy your body needs more minerals than normal. Your body is working hard creating a whole new system for a new baby, so it makes sense you would need a lot of help.

Iron in particular is important to carry oxygen to your baby. Pregnant women and infants are the most vulnerable to iron deficiency. Without enough iron, you can face the possibility of premature birth.

When your iron is low during pregnancy your doctor may recommend a supplement or suggest you eat food rich in iron. Adding hemp hearts to your diet can add 15 percent or more to your daily value of iron. 

And iron is just one of the nutrients pregnant women need more of during pregnancy. They also need calcium to build the baby’s bones and fatty acids for brain development; all of which are also found in hemp hearts.

Besides the health benefits of this superfood, hemp seeds can also help with pregnancy symptoms like morning sickness. 

When you are feeling nauseous during pregnancy it’s hard to eat anything, but an empty stomach also causes more nausea. Doctors recommend avoiding an empty stomach by snacking on high fiber foods to keep hunger and nausea at bay. 

Hemp hearts have a high amount of fiber and can do the trick. The hemp seeds nutritional benefits are great for anyone, but if you are pregnant the benefits are outstanding.

 

Can You Eat Too Many Hemp Hearts?

Though the benefits of snacking on hemp hearts are outstanding, you can eat too much of anything. So it’s best to eat hemp hearts in moderation, as you would with any food. 

How much hemp seeds a day you can eat will depend on your daily caloric needs. If you eat over the recommended amount you will give yourself a high dose of protein and fat.

It’s understandable that if you’re pregnant and craving hemp seeds you may want to eat a lot, after all, they are tasty. But be careful, they are high in good fats and fiber, so if you’re pregnant and eat too many it may cause mild diarrhea. 

You can combine hemp hearts with other foods to make a nutritious meal plan. Some of the ways you can use hemp hearts beside snacking right out of the bag include:

• Adding them to your smoothies
• Sprinkling them on top of your fruit
• Adding them to your favorite drink 
• Blending them into cottage cheese or yogurt
• Mixing them in with your cereal

Whatever pregnancy food is working for you hemp hearts can be added to it.

 

What are the Side Effects of Eating Hemp Hearts?

Everything has its drawbacks even easily digestible high nutrient superfoods. 

Most of the worry about eating hemp products comes from the connection to marijuana. People fear that they will have side effects or test positive for a drug test, but that’s highly unlikely. Hemp hearts aren’t a drug, but side effects are possible.

Particularly if you have issues that put you at high risk for diarrhea or if you are on medications you will need to be careful.Hemp hearts inhibit platelet formation in the blood which can interact with anticoagulant medications. If you are on any medication you should talk to your doctor before changing your diet.

If you’re not on any medication you will only need to be concerned with the issues of eating too many hemp seeds. 

High protein-rich foods cause side effects if overeaten. The side effects of too much protein include weight gain, constipation, dehydration, and more. You can counteract this by being careful to add hemp hearts in a complete diet that doesn’t focus too much on one thing.

Keep in mind this is for all high protein foods, but all protein is not created equal. Hemp protein is similar to the protein that the human body makes, so it doesn’t take as much work to break it down.

 

Post Pregnancy: Are Hemp Products Safe for Breastfeeding?

Once you transition from pregnancy to breastfeeding, you will find that a healthy diet continues to be a major priority. Hemp products are just as effective and safe for breastfeeding moms as they are for pregnant women.

Hemp products are safe, it’s CBD and THC that you need to avoid. Any concerns you have about CBD and THC making it to your breastmilk is so low that you don’t have to worry. 

Once you are breastfeeding you will need calories and energy to sustain your body while making milk. You will be happy to have the option of a quick addition of hemp seeds to a meal to give you the boost you need to keep going strong. 

When you start breastfeeding you will see there are new ways that hemp hearts can benefit you. Hemp seeds are one of the best foods for breastfeeding moms. 

Your milk is essential to the growth and development of your baby and when you add in seeds with essential minerals like zinc you’re helping with that growth.

Hemp seeds aren’t the only food that contains zinc, but the beauty of seeds, as opposed to foods like nuts, is you don’t have to worry about allergens.

It’s just one more thing that can help you build a complete diet that will help you provide nutrient-rich breastmilk for your baby.

 

Post Pregnancy: Can I Feed my Baby Hemp Hearts?

If you’ve had hemp hearts during your pregnancy and see the benefits you may be wondering are hemp seeds safe for toddlers? 

Hemp hearts are safe for babies and toddlers and pose no allergy risk. However, when introducing any new food to your baby you should check with your pediatrician first. The recommended age to introduce seeds is around 7 to 8 months old.

Hulled hemp seeds can be ground up and mixed in or on top of other foods. You get the most nutrients when they are served raw. 

Try them in your toddlers’ favorite fruit or vegetable puree. Hemp hearts can also be mixed with applesauce, baby cereal, oatmeal, and more. The best part is it’s quick and easy to add nutrients that will benefit your baby. 

Post Pregnancy: Can I Lose Baby Weight with Hemp Seeds?

While coming up with hemp seed recipes for your toddler don’t forget to try some for yourself. You can use hemp seeds nutritional value to help lose any unwanted baby weight.

The fiber in hemp seeds acts as a natural appetite suppressant and helps you feel full longer. Therefore, the superfood can be a great substitute for cravings of other fatty, sugary, or high carb foods in your diet. 

On the other hand, the protein in hemp hearts can help build muscle mass. It’s a vegan and vegetarian way to get the right kind of protein that builds muscle that burns unwanted fat. 

High-fat diets are on trend and if you are trying keto or something similar, you will find that hemp seeds have the good fats required for your diet. This is a natural way to boost your metabolism by maintaining the proper balance of fats without adding in bad fats.

The bottom line is there are multiple ways you can use hemp seeds to lose weight, but more importantly, they are a great way to create an overall healthy diet. 

 

 

Where Can I Find Hemp Hearts?

Luckily you can find hemp hearts anywhere that is convenient for you. 

Hemp heart can be found in your favorite health store or vitamin shop. Check for them in a local grocery store like Sprouts, where similar seeds like flax or chia can be found.

You can even find them online and have them shipped right to your door. Any way you like to shop will work.

We offer our hemp hearts and other hemp products online at humminghemp.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com or at a store near you.

Hemp Hearts and Pregnancy

As you can see hemp hearts are safe for pregnancy. In fact, they make a great contribution to a nutrient-rich pregnancy and breastfeeding diet. 

You may even find that they help you lose any unwanted baby weight. More importantly, you will find that it gives you and your baby the nutrients and minerals you need to maintain a healthy lifestyle.