Plums are the ultimate craving buster for expectant mothers, especially during bouts of morning sickness. Many moms-to-be indulge in plums without knowing whether it's safe to eat plums during pregnancy and how to eat them properly. In this article, we'll answer the question of whether pregnant women can eat plums and introduce 3 ways to prepare plums for expectant mothers.
Can pregnant women eat plums?

To ensure the health of the fetus, mothers should be mindful of their diet. Some familiar foods, including fruits, may not be beneficial during pregnancy. So, can you eat plums while pregnant?
In Vietnam, plums are divided into two types: Northern plums (also known as late plums) and Southern plums. Both types are rich in vitamins and minerals, such as:
- North plums contain: energy, protein, sugar, vitamins B1, B2, B5, C, and PP, fiber, iron, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, and potassium.
South plums contain: energy, carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus.
- The components in plums are beneficial for expectant mothers. Specifically:
There's plenty of water in plums, which helps prevent dehydration for pregnant mothers.

Three ways to prepare plums for expectant mothers
While plums are beneficial for health, mothers should be cautious when selecting where to buy them. Additionally, proper preparation and processing of plums are crucial for health. Here are 03 ways to prepare plums:
- Soak in saltwater: After washing the plums, soak them in diluted saltwater for about 15 to 20 minutes. Then, rinse them again with clean water to reduce the saltiness.
- Peel off the skin: The outer skin often retains pesticides, so for safety, clean the outer skin thoroughly. After cleaning, peel off the skin to minimize exposure to harmful substances (if any) before consumption.
- Use a food detoxifier: To ensure health safety, before washing, immerse the plums in water and use a food detoxifier to eliminate harmful factors. Then, rinse and prepare.
After preparing plums, mothers can turn them into delicious and safe dishes as follows:
- Eat fresh: After washing, mothers can peel off the skin and eat fresh to satisfy cravings and alleviate morning sickness. However, Northern plums might be too sour for the stomach, so mothers should only eat a few at a time.

- Make juice: Since plums contain plenty of water, mothers can use plums + 2 tablespoons of sugar + 1 tablespoon of honey to make a delicious, enticing glass of juice.
- Plum jam: Mothers can make plum jam to eat during cravings or out-of-season. Here's how: wash 500g of Northern plums, drain, then stir with 100g of granulated sugar over low heat. Stir until the water evaporates, then turn off the heat and continue stirring until the jam cools.

We've just answered the question can pregnant women eat plums in this article. Along with explaining why expectant mothers can eat plums, we also provide tips on how to prepare and cook plums into delicious dishes, beneficial for health. Mothers, feel free to refer to and try them out!