Nutritionists in Nigeria have dismissed the long-held belief that consuming snails during pregnancy leads to sluggish babies. According to experts, snails are a valuable source of animal protein, rich in essential minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc, crucial for pregnant women's health and their babies' development. These nutrients support the healthy growth of the baby and prevent complications like anaemia in the mother.
The World Health Organisation defines anaemia as a condition where the number of red blood cells or the hemoglobin concentration within them drops lower than normal. During pregnancy, anaemia can cause premature birth, low birth weight, bleeding during delivery, and maternal death. The National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey 2021 found that 32 per cent of pregnant women in Nigeria had anaemia, while 82 per cent had inadequate iron intake, underscoring the importance of a varied diet during pregnancy.
Olusola Malomo, Assistant Director of Dietetics at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, stated that there was no scientific basis for the claim that eating snails makes babies sluggish. He emphasized that snails are an animal-protein source that can contribute to the nutritional needs of pregnant women, particularly where available. Malomo stressed that adequate protein is essential during pregnancy due to the nutritional demands of the developing baby.
Malomo noted that while snails are not an indispensable source of protein, they can be part of a varied diet. Pregnant women can obtain protein from other affordable foods, making snails one component of a diverse pregnancy diet. He encouraged pregnant women to eat protein abundantly for the good of the child.
Olufunmilola Ogunmiluyi, Assistant Director of Nutrition and Dietetics, shared that snail meat can be a useful source of high-quality animal protein for pregnant women, supporting the rapid growth of the baby and the changes occurring in the mother's body. Snail meat can contribute several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and zinc, to the diet.
Ogunmiluyi highlighted that iron is particularly important during pregnancy as the mother's blood volume increases, and the developing baby needs oxygen. She added that zinc is essential for normal cell division and foetal growth. However, she cautioned that snail meat should not be viewed as a substitute for a diverse pregnancy diet or prescribed prenatal supplements.
The nutritionists' advice aligns with the recommendation of the World Health Organisation for daily iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy. With 46 per cent of pregnant women having inadequate zinc intake and 92 per cent having inadequate calcium intake, a varied diet that includes snail meat can help bridge the nutritional gap and support healthy pregnancy outcomes.
Key points
- Nutritionists debunk the myth that eating snails during pregnancy makes babies sluggish.
- Snails are a good source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and zinc essential for pregnant women's health and their babies' development.
- A varied diet, including snail meat, can help bridge the nutritional gap and support healthy pregnancy outcomes.
