Mint leaves: nutrition for pregnancy & family

Also known as Podina, Pudina, Mentha, Phudino, Pudinth, Nungsihidak, Baabari, Pudina Patra. Food group: Condiments and Spices. Vegetarian.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

What official food-safety sources say, source by source: Is Mint (pudina) safe during pregnancy?

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy44 kcal
Protein3.3 g
Fat0.7 g
Carbohydrate8.4 g
Fibre6.8 g
Iron11.9 mg
Calcium199 mg
Folate105 mcg
Vitamin C13.3 mg
Zinc1.1 mg
Sodium30 mg

Values: USDA FoodData Central, Spearmint, fresh (FDC ID 173475; public domain). This is USDA's analysis of the same species, 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

Folate105 mcg — 18% 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, Mint leaves is a notable source of folate, iron, calcium and vitamin c — 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.

Mint leaves in Indian languages

AssamesePodina
BengaliPudina
EnglishMentha
GujaratiPhudino
HindiPudina
KannadaPudina
KashmiriPudinth
KhasiPudina
MalayalamPudina
ManipuriNungsihidak
MarathiPudina
OdiaPudina Patra
PunjabiPudina
TamilPudina
TeluguPudina
UrduPudina

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 G016 — 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.