Fenugreek seeds: nutrition for pregnancy & family

Also known as Methi, Methi dana, Menthe, Meeth, Symbai methi, Uluva, Methe, Venthayam, Menthulu. Food group: Condiments and Spices. Vegetarian.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

What official food-safety sources say, source by source: Is Fenugreek seeds (methi dana) safe during pregnancy?

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy323 kcal
Protein23.0 g
Fat6.4 g
Carbohydrate58.4 g
Fibre24.6 g
Iron33.5 mg
Calcium176 mg
Folate57 mcg
Vitamin C3.0 mg
Zinc2.5 mg
Sodium67 mg

Values: USDA FoodData Central, Spices, fenugreek seed (FDC ID 171324; public domain). This is USDA's analysis of the same food, not of the Indian sample in IFCT, so figures for this exact variety may differ. See the full USDA page.

What 100 g gives you in pregnancy

Folate57 mcg — 10% of the daily need in pregnancy

From the USDA values above, against NIH / US Dietary Reference Intakes recommended intakes for pregnancy. Requirements differ by country, so percentages are only meaningful against the authority named here. They describe 100 g of this food, not a meal plan; your doctor may advise different amounts for you.

Explore further

By USDA's figures, Fenugreek seeds is a notable source of folate, iron and calcium — see what each does in pregnancy.

More condiments and spices: Asafoetida, Cardamom, black, Cardamom, green, Chillies, green - all varieties, Chillies, green-1, Chillies, green-2.

Fenugreek seeds in Indian languages

AssameseMethi
BengaliMethi
GujaratiMethi dana
HindiMethi
KannadaMenthe
KashmiriMeeth
KhasiSymbai methi
MalayalamUluva
ManipuriMethi
MarathiMethi
OdiaMethi
PunjabiMethi
SanskritMethe
TamilVenthayam
TeluguMenthulu
UrduMethi

Regional names as recorded by ICMR-NIN in the Indian Food Composition Tables.

Why it can help during pregnancy

Consensus public-health guidance (WHO / ICMR-NIN), for nutrients the USDA values show this food is a good source of. A balanced, varied diet matters more than any single food.

Source for composition: ICMR-NIN, Indian Food Composition Tables 2017 (IFCT 2017), code G026 — IFCT values not reproduced; the figures shown are USDA's. IFCT's licence does not allow its tables to be republished electronically, so we cite the record instead.

Educational information, not medical or dietary advice. Most everyday foods are fine in normal amounts — ask your doctor or dietitian about anything specific to your pregnancy.