Wheatgrass and children, pregnancy and breastfeeding mothers

Wheatgrass and pregnancy/breast feeding

Drinking wheatgrass juice during pregnancy and breast feeding is a topic that has had little or no research done into it, so we thought that we should ask some of the experts.

Here’s what Steve Meyerowitz (Steve is one of the world’s leading experts into wheatgrass and sprouts and author of the world’s biggest selling wheatgrass book “Wheatgrass, Natures Finest Medicine”) has to say.

"Wheatgrass is a food. If used in moderation by someone who already follows a quality diet, it is not likely to interfere with anything and only enhance immunity and maintain clean blood On the other hand, therapeutic dosages would be verboten during pregnancy because at that volume wheatgrass functions as a purgative. This could prove upsetting to the system and that is not recommended for pregnancy. Pregnancy requires stability and protein. It is not the time for a detox program. So how you use wheatgrass determines its use during pregnancy."
Sproutman®
Steve Meyerowitz (August 2006)

For a comprehensive insight into wheatgrass and sprouts we highly recommend Steve’s books.

Wheatgrass: Natures Finest Medicines – Steve Meyerowitz
Sprouts the miracle Food – Steve Meyerowitz

Dr Chris Reynolds is a General Practitioner in Melbourne, Australia and has used wheatgrass extensively to treat 1000’s of his own patients since 1995.

“I have never found any evidence that suggests any contraindication to taking wheatgrass during pregnancy and/or while breastfeeding. In fact, if we look at the positive effects of immuno-stimulation that wheatgrass provides, I could only imagine an improved physiological environment for both mother and child.”
Dr Chris Reynolds M.B.,B.S. General Practitioner Melbourne, Australia.
www.wheatgrassprofessional.info

Our thoughts

Drinking wheatgrass juice during pregnancy is perhaps more of a personal choice. Obviously it is very important to be as healthy as you can and to get the best nutrition possible when you are pregnant for both you and your baby.

Here is an up to date nutritional analysis of wheatgrass compared to other foods. As you can see, wheatgrass contains a vast array of nutrients and trace elements, including folic acid which is very important during pregnancy. We believe that if you have been drinking wheatgrass for a period of time, that there should be no reason why you could not continue to do so if you become pregnant. That is exactly what Anneli did.

Wheatgrass during pregnancy and breastfeeding OUR STORY

During the pregnancy and breast feeding period of our daughter Klara in 2003/2004, Anneli used wheatgrass with great success daily without any problems at all. In fact, Anneli maintained glowing health during pregnancy and was able to have a fantastic birth with a totally drug free delivery. She believes strongly that drinking wheatgrass helped her to remain healthy during her pregnancy.

If you are pregnant and haven’t taken wheatgrass before, it may be better to begin drinking very small amounts (10ml) and slowly increase the quantity so that you are sure that your body is ok with it.

The bottom line

We are not doctors, and there is little or no medical research done into this topic so we would still recommend consulting your Naturopath or GP if you are concerned about it.

Wheatgrass, bottoms up!


Anneli and Richie
Previous Owners of Sprout Organic Wheatgrass

Phone: 1300 79 30 70
E-mail: info@sprout.net.au

References
1. Australian Government Department of Health and Aging – Recommended Daily Servings 2006.
2. Wheatgrass: Natures Finest Medicine – Steve Meyerowitz 2006
3. Power Juices Super Drinks – Steve Meyerowitz 2000
4. Living Foods for Optimum Health – Brian R. Clement 1998
5. World Health Organisation – Folate recommendations for Pregnant mother