Nutritionists have dismissed the popular belief that eating snails during pregnancy can make babies sluggish, describing the claim as a myth without scientific evidence.
The experts said snail meat can be a useful source of animal protein and important minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, which can contribute to the nutritional needs of pregnant women and their developing babies.
However, they stressed that snail meat should form part of a varied and balanced pregnancy diet and should not be regarded as an essential or sole source of nutrition.
Experts Reject Popular Pregnancy Myth
Speaking on the issue, Assistant Director of Dietetics at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Olusola Malomo, said there was no scientific evidence linking snail consumption during pregnancy with a baby's physical behaviour after birth.
He described the belief that eating snails could make babies sluggish as one of the misconceptions surrounding food during pregnancy.
“There is no scientific basis. It’s one of the myths or some of the misconceptions or some of the fallacies that surround food hygiene,” Malomo said.
According to him, snail is an animal protein that can contribute to the nutritional requirements of pregnant women.
He explained that adequate protein intake is particularly important during pregnancy because of the nutritional demands associated with the growth and development of the baby.
“Pregnant women are encouraged to eat protein abundantly for the good of the child,” he stated.
Snail Is Not the Only Source of Protein
Malomo, however, noted that pregnant women do not have to depend on snail meat to meet their protein requirements.
He said there are several other affordable sources of protein that can be included in a pregnant woman's diet.
“The quality of the snail, well, it’s not so significant like that, because there are other sources of protein that are available and that are cheap that the expectant mother can easily afford,” he explained.
This means that while snail meat can be included in meals, pregnant women can obtain protein from a variety of other animal and plant-based foods.
Snail Meat Provides Important Nutrients
Also speaking on the subject, Assistant Director of Nutrition and Dietetics, Olufunmilola Ogunmiluyi, said snail meat could provide useful nutrients during pregnancy.
According to her, snail meat is a source of high-quality animal protein, which can support the rapid growth of the developing baby and the physiological changes taking place in the mother's body.
She said snail meat could also contribute several minerals, including:
Iron
Calcium
Magnesium
Phosphorus
Potassium
Zinc
Ogunmiluyi particularly highlighted the importance of iron during pregnancy.
She explained that a pregnant woman's blood volume increases during pregnancy, while the developing baby also requires oxygen.
“Snail meat can make a meaningful contribution to iron intake, which is particularly important during pregnancy because the mother’s blood volume increases and the developing baby needs oxygen,” she said.
Zinc Also Important for Baby's Development
The nutritionist also explained that zinc plays an important role in the development of the baby.
According to her, zinc is required for normal cell division and growth.
“Zinc is needed for the baby’s cells to divide and grow normally,” Ogunmiluyi explained.
She nevertheless cautioned pregnant women against treating snail meat as a replacement for a balanced diet or prescribed prenatal supplements.
“Snail meat should be viewed as one component of a diverse pregnancy diet because it contributes several important minerals at the same time, but it cannot supply every nutrient a pregnant woman needs,” she stated.
Anaemia Remains a Concern During Pregnancy
The importance of adequate nutrition during pregnancy is also linked to the risk of anaemia.
The World Health Organisation defines anaemia as a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the concentration of haemoglobin in them falls below normal levels.
During pregnancy, anaemia can increase the risk of complications, including premature birth, low birth weight and bleeding during delivery.
The World Health Organisation recommends iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy because women require additional nutrients to meet their own needs and those of the developing baby.
Data from Nigeria's National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey 2021 also highlighted nutritional gaps among pregnant women.
The survey found that 32 per cent of pregnant women in Nigeria had anaemia, while 82 per cent had inadequate iron intake.
It also reported inadequate zinc intake among 46 per cent of pregnant women and inadequate calcium intake among 92 per cent.
Pregnant Women Advised to Eat a Varied Diet
The nutritionists stressed that no single food can provide all the nutrients required during pregnancy.
They therefore advised pregnant women to consume a diverse diet containing different sources of protein, vitamins and minerals, while following professional medical advice on prenatal supplements.
The experts also stressed the importance of proper food preparation and hygiene when consuming animal-based foods.
The belief that eating snails could make babies sluggish is therefore not supported by the scientific evidence cited by the nutritionists.
For pregnant women who enjoy snail meat, the experts' advice is that it can be included as part of a varied diet rather than avoided because of the traditional belief.
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