Spinach: nutrition for pregnancy & family

Also known as Paleng, Palong shak, Palak ni bhaji, Palak, Spinak soppu, Palong heh, Basala cheera, Paalungo ko Saag, Palang sag, Paalakya, Pasalai keerai, Palakoora. Food group: Green Leafy Vegetables. Vegetarian.

Is it safe during pregnancy?

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

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy23 kcal
Protein2.9 g
Fat0.4 g
Carbohydrate3.6 g
Fibre2.2 g
Iron2.7 mg
Calcium99 mg
Folate194 mcg
Vitamin C28.1 mg
Choline19 mg
Zinc0.5 mg
Sodium79 mg

Values: USDA FoodData Central, Spinach, raw (FDC ID 168462; 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

Folate194 mcg — 32% 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, Spinach is a notable source of folate, iron, calcium and vitamin c — see what each does in pregnancy.

More green leafy vegetables: Agathi leaves, Amaranth leaves, green, Amaranth leaves, red and green mix, Amaranth leaves, red mix, Amaranth spinosus, leaves, green mix, Amaranth spinosus, leaves, red and green mix.

Spinach in Indian languages

AssamesePaleng
BengaliPalong shak
GujaratiPalak ni bhaji
HindiPalak
KannadaSpinak soppu
KashmiriPalak
KhasiPalong heh
MalayalamBasala cheera
ManipuriPalak
MarathiPalak
OdiaPalang sag
PunjabiPalak
SanskritPaalakya
TamilPasalai keerai
TeluguPalakoora
UrduPalak

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 C033 — 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.