Is Quinoa safe during pregnancy?

Grains & cereals

Part of a healthy pregnancy diet

The US FDA names quinoa as a whole grain to eat in pregnancy.[1]

What official sources say

US FDA: Dietary Advice Before and During Pregnancy

  • Examples of whole grains include: Quinoa[1]

Related general rules

US FDA: Dietary Advice Before and During Pregnancy

  • If you are or might become pregnant you should consume a variety of foods, including whole grains such as wheat, oats, and barley for good nutrition.[1]
  • By eating a variety of grains during pregnancy, you can promote better health for your baby.[1]

NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy

  • Starchy foods include bread, potatoes, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, noodles, maize, millet, oats, yams and cornmeal.[2]

Nutrition per 100 g (USDA)

Energy368 kcal
Protein14.12 g
Fibre7 g
Iron4.57 mg
Calcium47 mg
Folate (DFE)184 µg
Folate, total184 µg
Vitamin A (RAE)1 µg
Vitamin D0 µg
Vitamin B120 µg
Choline70.2 mg
DHA (omega-3)0.047 g
EPA (omega-3)0 g
Sodium5 mg

USDA FoodData Central: Quinoa, uncooked (FDC ID 168874), per 100 g. Public domain. Values describe that USDA record; composition varies with variety and preparation.

Sources

  1. US FDA: Dietary Advice Before and During Pregnancy · fda.gov. US government work, public domain; quoted. No endorsement implied.
  2. NHS: Have a healthy diet in pregnancy · nhs.uk. Paraphrased. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). Not endorsed by the NHS.

Sources checked 26 September 2026.

Quotes are checked word for word against each source page, and paraphrases against the original text. Official bodies are named as sources only: none of them reviewed or endorses this page.

Educational information, not medical advice. Your own doctor or midwife may advise differently for you — follow their advice.