Experts say snail meat provides protein and essential minerals, including iron and zinc, but caution pregnant women to maintain a varied diet and follow recommended prenatal supplements.

Pregnant women have been advised not to avoid snail meat based on the longstanding belief that eating it could make their babies sluggish, as nutritionists say there is no scientific evidence linking snail consumption during pregnancy to a child’s physical behaviour.

The experts explained that snail meat can be a useful source of animal protein and important minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc, all of which contribute to the nutritional needs of a pregnant woman and her developing baby.

They, however, stressed that snails should be consumed as part of a balanced and varied diet, rather than regarded as an essential or sole source of nutrition during pregnancy.

The clarification comes amid cultural beliefs in some communities that pregnant women who eat snails may give birth to babies who are slow in movement or excessively salivate after birth.

Speaking on the issue, Assistant Director of Dietetics at the Lagos State Health Service Commission, Olusola Malomo, dismissed the belief as a misconception with no scientific foundation.

“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.

He explained that snail is an animal-based protein that can contribute to the nutritional requirements of pregnant women, particularly where it is readily available and affordable.

According to him, adequate protein is important during pregnancy because of the increased nutritional demands associated with the growth and development of the unborn child.

“Pregnant women are encouraged to eat protein abundantly for the good of the child,” he stated.

Malomo, however, noted that snail is not an indispensable source of protein, as pregnant women can obtain the nutrient from several other affordable foods.

“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.

Also speaking, Assistant Director of Nutrition and Dietetics, Olufunmilola Ogunmiluyi, said snail meat could serve as a useful source of high-quality animal protein during pregnancy.

“Snail meat can be a useful source of high-quality animal protein for a pregnant woman, supporting the rapid growth of the baby and the changes occurring in the mother’s body,” she said.

Ogunmiluyi added that snail meat could contribute several important minerals to a pregnant woman’s diet, including iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc.

She particularly highlighted the importance of iron during pregnancy, noting that a woman’s blood volume increases during pregnancy while the developing baby also requires oxygen for healthy growth.

“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.

She added that zinc plays an important role in normal cell division and foetal development.

“Zinc is needed for the baby’s cells to divide and grow normally,” Ogunmiluyi explained.

Anaemia Remains a Major Pregnancy Concern

The nutritionists’ advice also highlights the importance of adequate nutrient intake during pregnancy, particularly in Nigeria, where anaemia and micronutrient deficiencies remain significant concerns.

The World Health Organisation defines anaemia as a condition in which the number of red blood cells or the haemoglobin concentration within them falls below normal levels.

During pregnancy, untreated anaemia can increase the risk of complications, including premature birth, low birth weight, bleeding during delivery and maternal death.

The WHO recommends daily iron and folic acid supplementation during pregnancy because women require additional nutrients to meet their own needs and those of their developing babies.

Data from Nigeria’s National Food Consumption and Micronutrient Survey 2021 showed that 32 per cent of pregnant women had anaemia, while 82 per cent had inadequate iron intake.

The survey also found that 46 per cent had inadequate zinc intake and 92 per cent had inadequate calcium intake.

These figures, nutrition experts noted, reinforce the importance of eating a diverse range of nutritious foods during pregnancy rather than eliminating particular foods because of unsupported cultural beliefs.

Ogunmiluyi cautioned, however, that the nutritional benefits of snail meat should not be exaggerated.

“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 said.

She stressed that pregnant women should continue to follow professional medical advice and take prescribed prenatal supplements where recommended.

The experts’ position therefore draws a clear distinction between traditional food beliefs and established nutritional evidence: eating properly prepared snail meat does not have a scientifically established effect on a baby’s level of activity or behaviour, while its protein and mineral content can form part of a healthy pregnancy diet.